CYCLING: Belgian dies in crash

Belgian cyclist Wouter Weylandt died yesterday after a high-speed downhill crash at the Giro d’Italia, the first rider to be killed in a major cycling race in 16 years. The 26-year-old rider fell during a descent 12.4 miles from the finish in northern Italy.

MLB: Seattle cuts Bradley

Milton Bradley , who was making $13 million this season, was cut by the Mariners yesterday, leaving the temperamental outfielder again looking for a new job. Seattle designated Bradley (.218, 2 HRs, 13 RBIs) for assignment, giving the team 10 days to trade, release or send him to the minors.

* A’s outfielder Josh Willingham was suspended for one game after making contact with an umpire during a dispute on Saturday in Kansas City. Willingham will appeal.

GOLF: Tiger falls in rankings

Tiger Woods dropped to eighth place in the world golf rankings after being overtaken by England’s Paul Casey. Phil Mickelson, ranked No. 4, is the only non-European player in the top seven.

* Ernie Els was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in St. Augustine, Fla., along with Jumbo Ozaki, Doug Ford, Jock Hutchison, former President George H.W. Bush and the late Frank Chirkinian.

COLLEGE: Terps hire Turgeon

Maryland hired Texas A&M basketball coach Mark Turgeon after Notre Dame coach Mike Brey said he is staying with the Irish. . . . Navy coach Billy Lange resigned following a second straight losing season.

* West Virginia forward Kevin Jones and Minnesota’s Ralph Sampson III withdrew their names from the NBA Draft and will return for their senior seasons. Staying in the draft are Notre Dame forward Carleton Scott, and Texas standouts Tristan Thompson and Cory Joseph.

ETC.: NBA’s all-defensive team

Boston forward Kevin Garnett and Lakers guard Kobe Bryant were selected to the NBA all-defensive first team. Also making the team were Orlando’s Dwight Howard, Heat forward LeBron James and Boston guard Rajon Rondo.

* The U.S. lost to Switzerland 5-3 at hockey’s world championship in Slovakia.

* Earl “The Pearl” Monroe will make his New York City coaching debut tonight at Union Square against former UCLA and Lakers star Lucius Allen and his Los Angeles squad in game two of the inaugural The People’s Games basketball competition. LA won the first game 59-55 Sunday. Game 3, if necessary, will be played at CCNY’s Nat Holman Gym tomorrow night. — Marc Berman