IN BRIEF (Page 24)

NFL

Lions sign defensive tackle Redding to long-term deal

DETROIT: Defensive tackle Cory Redding has signed a multi-year deal with the Detroit Lions, the team announced on Monday.

The Lions did not reveal details of the contract, but local media reported Redding signed a seven-year deal worth more than $49 million. That would make him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the NFL.

Redding is entering his fifth season with the Lions, which drafted him in 2003. He has played in 55 consecutive games, including 48 straight starts.

Soccer

Real Betis unveils new coach Hector Cuper

MADRID: Real Betis coach Hector Cuper said he was aiming to ensure there would be no repetition of last season's struggle against relegation when he took charge of the Primera Liga side on Monday.

"I'll be working hard to ensure we don't experience any difficulties and to ensure that we can construct a team with personality that will win games," the former Inter Milan and Valencia coach told a news conference.

"Our first target is to get 40 points and then we can start setting new objectives."

The 51-year-old Argentine, whose last coaching job was at Real Mallorca, has signed a one-year contract with the troubled Andalucian club.

Motorcycling

Indianapolis to host round of MotoGP championship

LONDON: Indianapolis will host a round of the MotoGP world championship next year, bringing motorcycle racing back to The Brickyard for the first time in nearly a century, organizers said on Monday.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS) said in a statement that they and Dorna, commercial rights holder for MotoGP, had reached a multi-year agreement starting with the Indianapolis Grand Prix on September 14 next year.

The race will be the second US round of the MotoGP championship, with the US Grand Prix held at Laguna Seca in California.

The 2.5-mile oval, home of the Indy 500 and NASCAR's Brickyard 400, last hosted a motorcycle event on August 14, 1909.

Baseball

Indians extend contract of manager Wedge

NEW YORK: The Cleveland Indians made a long-term commitment to manager Eric Wedge on Monday, signing him to a three-year contract extension through 2010.

The Indians, coming off a disappointing 2006 season, have rebounded this year with a 54-37 record, putting them 1/2 a game behind defending American League champion Detroit Tigers in the American League Central.

"Through his relentless work ethic and strong belief in our players, Eric has led our Major League team to one of the best records in baseball two of the past three seasons," general manager Mark Shapiro said in a statement.

Cycling

Mazzoleni leaves Astana, could still race

MILAN: Italian cyclist Eddy Mazzoleni said on Monday he had left the Astana team but had not retired.

The team said in a statement earlier that the 34-year-old, who finished third in this year's Giro d'Italia, had retired with immediate effect because his involvement in a doping investigation.

However, Mazzoleni later said his departure from the team did not necessarily mean the end of his career.

"I have only decided to rescind my contract with Astana to protect the image of the team and my colleagues," he told reporters.

(China Daily 07/18/2007 page24)