In today's sports news: What you need to know

The North Queensland Cowboys continued their march towards a home NRL final with a comprehensive 48-4 victory over the Warriors in Townsville.

The Cowboys did much of the damage between the 37th and 41st minute of the match, scoring three converted tries to crush any hope the Warriors had of remaining in the contest in the second half, with the win ensuring they will remain second heading into round 24 regardless of other results.

The Warriors looked to have fought their way back into the contest when Marcelo Montoya scored five minutes from the break, but it quickly went wrong in a big way as Jeremiah Nanai scored his 17th try of the year, before former Warrior Peta Hiku scored to make it 24-4

The Warriors made just one line break compared to North Queensland's nine.

The Warriors play top of the table Penrith next weekend.

Meanwhile Melbourne ran in 10 tries to record their biggest ever victory over the Broncos, with the 60-12 demolition leaving the Storm on the cusp of securing a spot in the top four.

Waikato finish strongly

Waikato scored two late tries to beat Counties Manukau 34-20 in their NPC rugby game in Pukekohe.

The game was level at 10-10 at half time

Waikato scored four tries to two.

All Black Damian McKenzie was danderous on attack and kicked four conversions and two penalties.

Waikato have two wins and Counties one.

Chelsea boss banned for a game

Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel has received a one-match touchline ban and been fined $67,000 for his confrontation with Antonio Conte at the end of last weekend's Premier League derby against Tottenham.

Spurs boss Conte has also been fined $29,000 after both managers admitted improper conduct during the 2-2 draw.

Tuchel's ban has been suspended temporarily, though, pending the full written reasons for the decision.

It means he can be in the dugout for Monday's Premier League game at Leeds.

Both managers were sent off at full-time following the angry confrontation on the touchline.

Joshua heavier for title fight

Ukraine's defending world champion Oleksandr Usyk and British challenger Anthony Joshua hit the scales heavier than before ahead of their heavyweight title rematch in Saudi Arabia this weekend.

Usyk weighed in at 100.5kg, barely changed from before although still the heaviest of his career, while Joshua was 110.9kg -- almost two kilos more than when he lost the titles last September in London.

Former undisputed cruiserweight world champion Usyk had been expected to bulk up considerably for his first defence of the WBA, WBO, IBF and IBO belts in Jeddah.

"You see, your expectations are not always met," the unbeaten champion said unsmilingly when asked if he had been tricking everyone ahead of the 'Rage on the Red Sea' clash.

British bookmaker William Hill has Usyk as the favourite, with 80% of customers backing the Ukrainian to win by knockout or stoppage.

Usyk is also carrying the hopes of a nation, one scarred by battle and fighting a real war for survival after Russia's invasion, while another defeat for Joshua would pose big questions about his future.

-Reuters

Good start for defending champion

Dutch rider Robert Gesink will take the Vuelta a Espana's red jersey into day two after Team Jumbo-Visma won stage one - the team time trial - in Utrecht.

The Dutch team completed the 23.3km circuit in 24 minutes and 40 seconds.

Victory gives defending champion Primoz Roglic, bidding for a fourth successive red jersey, an early advantage as part of Jumbo-Visma.

Ineos finished second in the Spanish tour, 13 seconds behind Jumbo-Visma, with Quickstep one second behind them.

Slovenia's Roglic has not ridden since stage 14 of the Tour de France in July, when the 32-year-old retired from the race with injury.

-BBC

Casemiro close to signing with United

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti says midfielder Casemiro wants a "new challenge" and to leave the club as Manchester United close in on a deal worth up to $114 million.

Talks have progressed quickly and United are optimistic the deal for the Brazil international, 30, will be completed in the next few days.

Casemiro trained with Real on Friday.

"The negotiations are ongoing right now, he is still our player but his will is to leave," said Ancelotti.

"I have spoken with him. Casemiro, for what he has done and the person he is, we must respect that desire."

Casemiro, who has been with Real since 2013, winning three La Liga titles and five Champions Leagues, is not in the squad to face Celta Vigo in La Liga this weekend.

United are bottom of the Premier League and host Liverpool on Monday.

-Reuters

No racing in Denmark

Light winds meant no racing was possible n the first day of the Denmark SailGP regatta.

Winner of the last Sail Grand Prix in Great Britain, New Zealand driver Peter Burling, was philosophical about the conditions.

Burling said: "I mean, it's simple, for our sport we need wind and today just wasn't to be. Tomorrow you've got to go out and it's really winner takes all, it's the first time we've had to do it but we've got to get on with it and make the most of it, it's definitely a new challenge."

After three rounds Australia leads overall from Great Britain and New Zealand.

British cyclist sets record

Britain's Dan Bigham smashed the Hour record when he completed a distance of 55.548 kilometres around the Tissot Velodrome in Switzerland.

Bigham, an aerodynamics specialist and race engineer for British cycling team Ineos Grenadiers, paced himself to perfection on his prototype Pinarello track bike, going almost half a kilometre further than Belgium's Victor Campenaerts in 2019 -- a huge margin.

Campenaerts managed 55.089.

Five riders had tried and failed to beat the record since then, most recently Alex Dowsett in November 2021.

Bigham collapsed to the track after his record-breaking ride before being congratulated by his family who were watching inside the empty velodrome.

Former national champion Bigham, a team pursuit silver medallist for England at the Commonwealth Games, has forged a reputation as one of the best in the business in cycling aerodynamics having graduated in Motorsport Engineering from Oxford Brooks University.

-Reuters