Sport-Motors

(ANSA) - Rome, February 8 - The death toll of those killed in snowslides this weekend climbed to eight on Monday, prompting a controversial government proposal to jail those who cause avalanches.

A combination of weather conditions resulted in avalanches in several Italian resorts on Saturday and Sunday, leaving hundreds injured.

(ANSA) - Florence, February 8 - The cycling's season-opening event, the Tirreno-Adriatic stage race, will be dedicated this year to the memory of the coach of Italy's national cycling team, Franco Balleri, who was killed in a crash on Sunday, organizers said.

Ballerini, 45, died Sunday from injuries he suffered in a crash during a rally event in which he was navigator.

(ANSA) - Rome, February 8 - As Roma on Monday found itself basking in the unexpected glory of being alone in second place, behind runaway leader Inter Milan but ahead of such powerhouses as AC Milan and the faded Juventus of Turin.

After a false start to the season, which saw coach Luciano Spaletti almost immediately replaced by Roman Claudio Ranieri, Roma has slowly and steadily moved up the table despite injuries for some of its key players, including captain Francesco Totti, and questionable choices during the transfer season.

(ANSA) - Rome, February 5 - Ferrari's positive performance in this week's first official tests for the 2010 Formula One season showed the car was off to a good start but "it's best we keep our feet firmly on the ground," company chairman Luca Cordero di Montezemolo said on Friday.

Ferrari drivers Felipe Massa and Fernando Alonso topped the time sheets in all three days of tests in Valencia and were the only ones to bring their lap times below one minute 12 seconds, with Alonso clocking 1' 11.722".

(ANSA) - Rome, February 5 - Inter Milan is aiming to keep its eight-point Serie A lead against Cagliari Sunday despite the distraction of the latest row between Jose Mourinho and Mario Balotelli.

The coach took the teen striker off while he was dithering over a corner kick in Wednesday's 1-0 Italian Cup semi-final first leg against Fiorentina.

TV replays showed Balotelli mouthing an imprecation and the club took Mourinho's side Thursday, giving the Italo-Ghanaian a 20,000 euro fine.

(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Hunting accidents killed 30 people and wounded 87 others during the five-month season that just ended, the Italian Association for Hunting Victims (AVC) said on Thursday.

According to the ACV annual report, presented in the Senate by association president Daniela Casprini, 23 of the fatalities and 57 of those injured were hunters.

Casualties among general members of the public accounted for seven deaths and 30 injuries.

(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Italy will play Cameroon on March 3 in Monte Carlo and Switzerland on June 5 in Geneva ahead of its defence of the World Cup in South Africa starting June 14, the Italian Soccer Federation (FIGC) said Thursday.

A third warm-up match has been slated for June 3 and FIGC is talking to the Mexican soccer federation.

Italy coach Marcello Lippi said Thursday that the formation of the squad was "at an advanced state" and only six places were in contention.

(ANSA) - Milan, February 4 - AC Milan striker Ronaldinho on Thursday denied reports he had a three-day hotel frolic before Milan's derby defeat by Inter.

"The media are saying I had a 'mega-party' in the run-up to the derby and though it's true I was the guest of a Milan hotel I didn't organise the party and the details reported are not true," the Brazilian said on his website.

(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Italy is fired up for the daunting task of taking on Six Nations champions and Grand Slam winners Ireland in the tournament opener at Croke Park Saturday, Gonzalo Canale said Thursday.

"It won't be a stroll in the park but we're going to make a great game of it," the Clermont centre told the press at Fiumicino Airport.

"We're ready, physically and mentally," said the Argentine-born Canale, one of the stand-outs in November's 24-6 win over Samoa.

(ANSA) - Sepang, February 4 - Reigning world champion Valentino Rossi on Thursday left no doubts that he was out to win his eighth MotoGP title this year by clocking the fastest time in the season's first day of official tests here in Malaysia.

The season kicks off April 11 with the Grand Prix of Qatar and should the Yamaha rider win the championship, he will tie the legendary Giacomo Agostini's all-time record of eight titles in the premier class.

(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Italy is fired up for the daunting task of taking on Six Nations champions and Grand Slam winners Ireland in the tournament opener at Croke Park Saturday, Gonzalo Canale said Thursday.

"It won't be a stroll in the park but we're going to make a great game of it," the Clermont centre told the press at Fiumicino Airport.

"We're ready, physically and mentally," said the Argentine-born Canale, one of the stand-outs in November's 24-6 win over Samoa.

"Of course, psychologically, you know you're taking on the reigning champs, but we're in good shape, well prepared".

(ANSA) - Rome, February 4 - Italy coach Nick Mallett on Thursday named the same team that beat Samoa 24-6 in November for Saturday's Six Nations opener against champions Ireland at Croke Park.

Craig Gower has recovered from a thigh injury and will play at fly half.

Treviso hooker Leonardo Gheraldini deputises as captain for the third time for injured Sergio Parisse while flanker Mauro Bergamasco gets his 80th cap, moving to third in the rankings behind Alessandro Troncon with 101 and Carlo Cecchinato with 83.

(ANSA) - Turin, February 3 - Juventus goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon on Wednesday said he was staying in Turin despite a wretched run that has seen Juve go out of the Champions League and drop from second to sixth in Serie A.

Buffon said he was confident new coach Alberto Zaccheroni, who replaced Ciro Ferrara last week, would spur the team back into contention for a Champions League berth.

"I haven't even thought about looking elsewhere," said the World Cup-winning keeper, who has been linked to Manchester United and Arsenal.

(ANSA) - Milan, February 2 - Brazilian winger Amantino Mancini said Tuesday he was starting "a new adventure" with AC Milan after completing a loan from Italian champions Inter Milan until the end of the season.

"I threw away six months," Mancini said, claiming Inter boss had misled him into staying at the start of the season after he failed to secure a starting spot last season.

"This summer I was on the verge of leaving but Mourinho called me in and said he was banking on me," Mancini told a press conference.

(ANSA) - Rome, February 2 - Italy coach Nick Mallett on Tuesday named a 24-man squad for Saturday's opening Six Nations match against champions Ireland in Dublin.

Fly half Craig Gower is struggling with a thigh injury and did not take part in Tuesday's training session.

Team doctor Roberto Pozzoni said Gower was recovering but "we decided not to rush it".

He said a decision on confirming Gower's place in the squad would be taken on the team run in Dublin Friday.