Clan-Members » ed tto past champion status, won the

Great Britain hopes a couple of faces from yesteryear can help it continue its dominance on the track.Former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, the reigning Olympic time trial gold medalist, has largely retired from road racing and will be part of the British mens pursuit squad aiming to repeat its gold from four years ago in London. He has already has won three gold, a silver and two bronze medals in track cycling events dating to the 2000 Sydney Games.His good friend, Mark Cavendish, will head from the Tour right to the track to compete in the multi-discipline omnium. The sprint specialist decided the road course in Rio would be too challenging for him, so he opted for the track to finally capture the Olympic medal that has long eluded him.Ive made no secret that my aim is to win an Olympic medal, he said. Its always a proud moment to be able to pull on a GB jersey and to be able to do so at the Olympic Games is extra special. Im committed to doing my absolute best out in Rio.Cavendish was favored with Wiggins to win the Madison event -- no longer part of the program -- but wound up ninth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He did not factor into the road race four years ago in London.Still, all eyes will be on him and the rest of the British squad in Rio, considering the team won seven of the 10 track gold medals at the London. But there are other story lines to watch, too:GB RETIREMENTS: The British squad had to retool after the London Games when Chris Hoy, one of the most decorated Olympians in history, and popular sprinter Victoria Pendleton stepped away.Jason Kenny began to take Hoys mantle as Britains best sprinter with his gold in London, but hes had an uneven past four years. His victory at the world championships left him ranked third in the world.TEAM USA: Sarah Hammer, Chloe Dygert, Ruth Winder, Jennifer Valente and Kelly Catlin shredded the world record in the womens team pursuit in March. They offer the best U.S. chance of winning a cycling medal, but will be pushed by the top-ranked British squad and world bronze medalist Canada.I dont know if theres pressure (because of the record), Hammer said. I dont feel type of pressure and I dont think the girls do, either. I think the pressure we feel is that we want to be successful.ANOTHER POWERHOUSE: Germany may be the only nation that can rival Britains dominance. Joachim Eilers and Kristina Vogel are reigning keirin world champs, Vogel and Miriam Welte won gold in the team sprint four years ago in London, and Roger Kluge has medal aspirations in the omnium.Germany also has a strong mens sprint squad and Max Niederlag is an under-the-radar contender.FROM THE LAND DOWN UNDER: Australia will be trying to replicate its success from London, when it won four track medals anchored by Anna Meares victory over Pendleton in a dramatic sprint final.Meares is still among the worlds best, taking silver in the keirin at the world championships and teaming with Stephanie Morton to form a potent sprint combo. Matt Glaetzer is a sprint medal threat, Glenn OShea likewise in the omnium, and the Aussies boast the best mens pursuit squad in the world.Ive medaled at every world championships Ive ridden since the London Games. I won my world championship in an Olympic event and posted the fastest standing lap times for the team sprint, Meares said. I have to feel confident. I back my team, my coach and the preparation that Ive done.THE VELODROME: The venue itself was among the last to be completed, the source of constant trouble for Rio organizers. Multiple test events were postponed or canceled, contractors had to be swapped out and, even after it was deemed operational in late June, there was still plenty of work to do. The track events were among the most popular cycling events at the London Games, drawing sellout crowds that included everyone from Paul McCartney to Prince Williams. Will the momentum carry into Rio?I dont want to lose any of the interest weve seen in track cycling the last few years, said Brian Cookson, the president of the UCI, cyclings world governing body. Really, the Athens and Beijing games have provided track programs that were really exciting. Im sure we can do the same in Rio.Boston Bruins Shirts . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Boston Bruins Pro Shop . "Jeff is a hard worker who was an important special-teams contributor for us last season," said Stamps GM John Hufnagel. https://www.cheapbruins.com/ .com) - Yankee Stadium is the home of the Bronx Bombers, but on Sunday afternoon it will open its gates to host the latest addition of the Hudson River Rivalry. Fake Bruins Jerseys . Louis Blues teammates who would also be participating in the Olympics, Alex Pietrangelo felt right at home, no different in some ways to the travel experience of any old road trip – save for the length of the journey, that is. Cheap Bruins Jerseys . Fred Couples, captain of the U.S. side, put it all into perspective. "We know whos in charge," he said.OPELIKA, Ala. -- Jhonattan Vegas lead was down to three strokes Saturday when rain finally stopped third-round play in the Barbasol Championship.Six shots ahead after a course-record 11-under 60 on Friday, Vegas was 1 over for the round and 16 under overall playing the par-4 14th when play was stopped on Grand Nationals Lake Course.The 29-year-old Venezuelan Olympic qualifier failed to qualify for the British Open and has only past champion status -- he won the 2011 Bob Hope Classic for his lone tour title -- on the PGA Tour. The winner Sunday will get a two-year exemption and a spot in the PGA Championship, but will not be exempt for the Masters.David Toms and Aaron Baddeley were 13 under.Play resumed at about 3 p.m. after a 90-minute delay and was stopped for the day at about 5:15 p.m. About 1 1/2 inches of rain fell Saturday on the Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail facility.The 49-year-old Toms was 4 under for the day with four holes left.Baddeley shot a 64, chipping in on the par-4 18th for his third straight birdie. The 35-year-old Australian, also limited tto past champion status, won the last of his three titles in 2011 at Riviera.ddddddddddddll I was thinking is just playing golf, Baddeley said. If you try and force the issue, thats usually when you go backwards. I was just trying to play golf, just keep playing, keep hitting good shots and, if I keep doing that, theres a chance Im going to shoot a low score and I did that.Michael Johnson, the former Auburn player making his pro debut, was tied for fourth at 11 under with five holes to go.Sam Saunders also was 11 under along with Stuart Appleby, Brian Harman, Roberto Castro and Hudson Swafford. Saunders, Arnold Palmers grandson, shot a 65.Its just a nice solid round, I played really well, Saunders said. Momentum got thrown off a little bit there with the rain delay, but Im still pleased with the way I finished and put myself in a good position for tomorrow.Appleby had a 66. Harman had two holes left, Castro four, and Swafford five. ' ' '