helsea at the beginning of the month, Pochettinos side have faltered.The Argentine says he challenged his players to keep theirr me

BMX racer Maris Strombergs has earned the nickname The Machine.The Latvian is the only man to win BMX cycling gold in the disciplines short Olympic history.In 2008, Strombergs swept through the competition from the quarterfinals. He wasnt quite as strong during the early rounds in 2012, but won the final anyway. Now 29, Strombergs will be one of the older competitors at the Rio Olympics, where the average age of a rider skews closer to the early-to-mid 20s.Strombergs does have that Olympic pedigree , though. USA Cycling BMX director Jaime Staff said Strombergs has the ability to peak toward one or two events a year.A physical specimen for sure, mentally very tough, Staff said. Hes able to switch it on when he needs to.Both the mens and womens fields figure to be as competitive as ever. Here are a few notes and other things to watch in Brazil:MEET MARIANAMariana Pajon is a star in her native Colombia after winning gold in 2012. She took the womens title in late May at the world BMX championships on a track named after her in her home country, and figures to be a top contender again in Rio.Pajon had been dealing with injuries in the months leading up to worlds that limited her typical training regimen. But Pajon can also draw on the experience of international success.She knows exactly what needs to be done to be the best, said Colombia coach German Medina.WHAT A RUSHImagine sitting on a BMX bicycle, staring down a ramp about three stories high while anxiously awaiting a signal to take off. As with horse racing, a gate prevents anyone from getting a head start but this is no flat, oval track. Its winding, nearly quarter mile-long course with groomed dirt hills serving as bumpy obstacles. Someone could be pedaling as fast as 40 mph after clearing the starting ramp.Even the best BMX competitors in the world will have to steel themselves at the Rio Olympics. Team USA rider Alise Post compares BMX cycling to a mix of horse racing and getting in the front car of an amusement park ride.Youre in this starting gate ... and then everybody goes, said Post, a top medal contender . After that youre riding a roller coaster. Everything happens fast out there.The action sport is aimed at attracting a younger audience to the Summer Games, having been introduced in 2008 in Beijing. Post, 25, watched that competition eight years ago. She rode in London in 2012, finishing 12th.OLYMPIAN EFFORTSTwo of the top U.S. riders are bouncing back from recent injuries. Connor Fields and Brooke Crain, who each competed in London, have returned to the track, and they should have plenty of time to prepare since the BMX competition will be held toward the end of the Olympics in mid-August.Fields was the top-ranked American in the world before hurting his wrist this spring. He was cleared to start training again in mid-June , and returned to the Rio-replica track for the first time on June 27. Crain came back after five weeks away following a broken left leg. She fractured her fibula while extending the leg while trying to brace herself from a crash during a race.TEAM USAThe United States is looking for its first BMX gold and was shut out of the podium entirely in 2012. Fields and Crain were discretionary picks to the U.S. team . Post was an automatic qualifier after finishing third at worlds. On the mens side, Fields will be joined by automatic qualifiers Nic Long, who placed third at worlds; and Corben Sharrah, who won the U.S. Olympic trials. Its the strongest squad that Team USA could field, headlined by some of the top-ranked racers in the world.Probably the best team we could wish for, Staff said.OTHERS TO WATCHNiek Kimmann of the Netherlands, who won the time trials at worlds, is atop the world rankings on the mens side. Joris Daudet of France, who won the elite title, is fourth in the world. Australias Sam Willougby took silver in 2012 and remains a medal favorite. ... Australian teammate Caroline Buchanan, who took the time trials at worlds, is the top-ranked womens rider internationally. Laura Smulders of the Netherlands is back after winning bronze in London.---Follow Genaro Armas at http://twitter.com/GArmasAPHydro Flask Water Bottle Australia . Peter Gammons, an analyst for Major League Baseballs network and website, drew the ire of hockey fans on Sunday when he criticized the two NHL teams on Twitter for their physical game the night before. Hydro Flask Australia . 8 Iowa State on Saturday, sending the Cyclones to their third consecutive loss. The Longhorns (14-4, 3-2) got their biggest win of the season with their third in the row in the Big 12. http://www.hydroflaskaustralia.com/water-bottle-hydro-flask-24-oz-standard-mouth-lava.html . As he recorded his 23rd and 24th points of the evening, a segment of the sellout Air Canada Centre crowd expressed their appreciation for the Raptors point guard with a smattering of MVP chants. Hydro Flask 64 Oz Wide Mouth .ca NHL Power Rankings for the second straight week, ahead of the Pittsburgh Penguins and Colorado Avalanche. Cheap Hydro Flask Australia . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside.Mauricio Pochettino apologised to fans for what he described as his worst result as a manager after Tottenhams 5-1 defeat by Newcastle.Spurs ended the season in third place, behind rivals Arsenal for the 21st consecutive season, drawing two and losing two of their final four games of the season.Pochettino, who signed a new five-year deal with Spurs in midweek, could not hide his disappointment at the performance, and insists his players mentality was to blame. Report: Newcastle 5-1 Tottenham Newcastle thrashed Tottenham 5-1 with 10 men to leave Spurs third in the Premier League He told Sky Sports: Im very disappointed; it was my worse game as a manager. We spoke weeks before about never giving up, we need to learn and improve our mentality.Firstly I want to apologise to our fans, our supporters, it was a shame what happened on the pitch. Georginio Wijnaldum celebrates scoring for Newcastle in the romp I apologise to our families, the families who have suffered behind us, it is difficult now to arrive home and explain what has happened here.When you watch the game it wasnt a tactical problem, a skill or technical problem, it was a mental problem. When you go on the pitch you need to give 100 per cent. We need to show more character. Spurs were poor at St James Park on Sunday Tottenham were Leicesters nearest challengers for the title for the majority of the season, but after their 2-2 draw with Chelsea at the beginning of the month, Pochettinos side have faltered.The Argentine says he challenged his players to keep theirr mental edge after that disappointing result, and added that these types of performances cannot be repeated.ddddddddddddes [the Chelsea result was difficult to take], this was our challenge, to keep the mentality. After Chelsea we showed a lot of weakness, against Southampton and today. This cannot repeat again. Arsenal finished second after their 4-0 win over Aston Villa First of all, it is my responsibility, but I am disappointed. I think we need to analyse now, we are third in the table.But its not about the result, today the first 45 minutes was bad, and in the second we conceded three goals against 10 players. Rafa Benitez confirmed that he is happy at Newcastle and wants to stay at the club, but needs assurances that they have the same ambitions as himAlso See:As it happenedNewcastle 5-1 SpursTableLive on Sky ' ' '