Question and Answer: Platform for your sporting queries

Q. Have any novels been written or films produced about the Tour de France cycle race?

A. Simon and Schuster published the excellent novel The Yellow Jersey by Ralph Hurne in 1973. It was subsequently reprinted in paperback and translated into French in 1987.

P THOMAS

Swindon, Wiltshire

ANSWERS PLEASE

Q. In the Juddmonte International Stakes at York, an important Group One race which took place a few days ago, the jockeys on the first three horses home - Pat Eddery, Frankie Dettori and Kieren Fallon - were all banned for either excessive force when using the whip or over frequency when using the whip. Has this ever happened before to the first three home in a race? Have four or more jockeys ever received bans for their riding in the same race?

D HAYCOCK

Bournemouth, Dorset

Q. On attending the second day of the Roses match at Headingley, during play Ian Austin was called up to join the England one-day squad for the Emirates Triangular series against Sri Lanka and South Africa. Richard Green came on as 12th man for Lancashire in Austin's place and was allowed to bowl and to bat. I always understood that substitute fielders in cricket could not bowl or bat so how was this allowed to happen? I was mystified as were the other spectators.

K MAGUIRE, Batley, W Yorks

Q. Have British sprint athletes ever occupied first and second places in a major championship 100m (either Olympic, World or European) before Darren Campbell and Dwain Chambers achieved the feat of winning gold and silver in the European Championships 100m in Budapest on Wednesday?

J CALDIE, Edinburgh