1) “Ever wondered what he’s like in the comfort of his own home?” runs the ominous introduction to this look around Richard Keys’ Doha gaff. The answer is that, much like Alan Partridge, he is a Toblerone fan. Meanwhile, Youth Hostelling with Chris Eubank, you say?
2) The World Athletic Championships begin this weekend under a doping cloud. Makes you pine for the more innocent days of … oh.
3) The Vuelta a España begins this weekend and it has seen a few mighty battles over the years: Chris Horner v Vincenzo Nibali in 2013; Julian Gorospe v Bernard Hinault in 1983; Nibali (again) v Ezequiel Mosquera on the Bola del Mundo in 2010; and Sean Kelly blowing the field away in 1988. But it’s also a race in which tensions tend to run high. It has been home to a couple of memorable Grand Tour punch-ups: there was Leonardo Sierra v Ramon Arrieta in 1995 and Gianluca Brambilla v Ivan Rovny in 2014.
4) Andy Murray in chin-holding staring contest. Yep, you read that correctly. Which gives us the perfect excuse (though the flimsiest excuse would do) to dig out this utter gem: the 43rd World Stare Out Championship Finals, courtesy of Big Train and Barry Davies.
5) If there was an award for nutmeg of the week, this chap would win it. But there isn’t, so he doesn’t.
6) The Houston Texans’ JJ Watt plays catch with a fan in the top tier. Meanwhile, another reason for joint NFL practice: more brawling.
Our favourites from last week’s blog
1) “Bruce Springsteen and myself just chilling in the corner …” Shane Warne talks us through the mural he has had commissioned for his home. Also featuring Sharon Stone, JFK and Coldplay’s Chris Martin. Russell Jackson looks for meaning behind the chaos in a wonderful piece here.
2) Yoshihito Nishioka wins a point in some style.
3) “Craig Boyce is clearly the cruiserweight champion of Australia.” Not something you hear very often during speedway commentary.
4) World swimming rethought the rules for backstroke after the 1988 Olympics. Hill Taylor, meanwhile, took things to a new level.
5) Why it’s worth keeping an eye on events if you’re a spectator at a rally.
6) Heracles forward Oussama Tannane pings in the free-kick of the week. Carsten Kammlott creates his own category of backheel overhead volley of the week. And Andrea Pirlo has still got it. Obviously.
Spotters’ badges: BlackCaesar, TheCedarRoom, whobroughtoranges, TheCorporal, itsintheairandout
