Dein erstes Forum » obviously brings massive experience. Laura Dav

RIO DE JANEIRO -- Evelyn Stevens has built the kind of resume in cycling that should make her one of the favorites to land on the podium in Sundays Olympic road race.She nearly didnt get the chance to compete at all.In perhaps the strongest sign of American might, the four women selected for the road race were not set until just before leaving for Rio -- and after several arbitration hearings sought by riders who believed they had earned the chance to race along Copacabana Beach.That was the first time I ever had that experience, said Stevens, who also competed at the London Olympics four years ago. I wouldnt call it a pleasant process to go through for anyone.Especially riders such as Carmen Small and Amber Neben who lost their cases.USA Cycling does not use Olympic trials for its team. It relies instead on a complex set of criteria giving riders the opportunity to earn automatic nomination through results on the world stage, such as reaching the podium at the world championships like Megan Guarnier did last fall.If that doesnt fill out the team, the decision goes to a committee that examines riders resumes against the selection criteria. And that opens the entire process to accusations of bias.The committee this year chose Stevens, Mara Abbott and Kristin Armstrong to ride along Guarnier, and all three are deserving. Stevens is the current hour record holder, Abbott is among the best climbers in the world and perfect for the hilly Rio course, and Armstrong is a two-time gold medalist in the time trial -- she must also ride in the road race to compete in that event.So where did the problem occur?Well, Small trumped both Stevens and Armstrong in the time trial at the national championships earlier this year. Neben has competed for years on the world stage and won several medals.It became such a conundrum that USA Cycling may implement trials for the 2020 Tokyo Games.You have to be careful because our No. 1 objective is to select the best team for a given Olympics, USA Cycling chief executive Derek Bouchard-Hall told The Associated Press. And trials isnt necessarily the way to do it because you introduce an element of luck. What if someone crashes? What if someone is sick? Its different in running where people dont get flat tires.You introduce an element of chance where you could not have your best athletes going.Bouchard-Hall believes one solution might be to combine the two selection systems. Riders could still earn an automatic spot through results over a period of time, and there could still be a role for the committee to select riders. But one spot would also go to the winner of trials.That is the system that is used to select the three-man BMX squad for the Olympics.The system we have opens you up to accusations of bias and unfairness and thats totally understandable, Bouchard-Hall said. Having lived that personally as an athlete, I understand that.There are other benefits of Olympic trials, such as broadcast and marketing opportunities, which would help with Bouchard-Halls goal of expanding cycling to a broader audience.In the meantime, the four riders lining up for Sundays road race form a formidable squad, with Guarnier one of the biggest favorites after her recent victory in the Giro Rosa.They will be challenged by a strong Dutch squad that includes reigning gold medalist Marianne Vos and Anna Van Der Breggen, British star Lizzie Armitstead and Polands Katarzyna Niewiadoma.They will be tackling a slightly shorter version of the mens course that caused all kinds of problems Saturday. Numerous riders lost chains or had other mechanical problems on the cobblestones, including Tour de France winner Chris Froome, who needed a bike change midway through.The race begins and ends in the shadows of Fort Copacabana along the beach.Its a hard circuit, like nothing Ive done before, said New Zealands Linda Villumsen, so its hard to know what sort of rider it will suit.Jason Heyward Cubs Jersey . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Kris Bryant Jersey . -- Teemu Selanne scored the first goal of his 22nd NHL season, and the Anaheim Ducks extended the best start in franchise history with their fifth straight victory, 3-2 over the Calgary Flames on Wednesday night. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/cubs-joe-maddon-jersey/ .com) - The women will also have a new champion at the Australian Open. Jon Lester Jersey . -- New England Revolution goalkeeper Matt Reis is retiring after a 16-year career to become the goalie coach for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Ben Zobrist Cubs Jersey . Parker had 26 points and eight assists and San Antonio beat Toronto 112-99 Monday night. "We won that game because of Tony Parkers aggressiveness," Spurs coach Gregg Popovich said. "His juice; his aggression all night long.Annika Sorenstam feels the time is now right for her to lead Team Europe at the Solheim Cup.The Ladies European Tour (LET) announced last week that Sorenstam will step up from her role as vice-captain to captain Europe at next years tournament at the De Moines Golf Club in Iowa.Im extremely excited but Im honoured as well, Sorenstam told Sky Sports News HQ.Its a kind of a dream come true. I hoped this would happen and it did.Sorenstam racked up 72 LPGA Tour wins and 10 major championship victories as a player and was part of two Solheim Cup winning sides, in 2000 and 2003.Ive played in eight of them (Solheim Cup tournaments) and I still wanted to be involved in the game but I wasnt ready to put in the time and the commitment that it takes, she said. USA won the Solheim Cup at St Leon-Rot in Germany last year Its a lot of work and I just wasnt ready with a young family and my businesses but fast forward six years and here I am. My kids are a little bigger and I am ready and I want to do this now.ddddddddddddSorenstams record of winning 22 Solheim Cup matches has been equalled only by Britains Laura Davies, and she thinks the Swede is the ideal candidate to lead Europe into the next tournament.Davies said: I think its great news for us, especially playing in America, because shes lived a lot of her life over there and she obviously brings massive experience. Laura Davies thinks Sorenstam is a good candidate for the captaincy Shell get the team together. Shes got a year and a half to worry about it and think about it and shell do a very professional job.I think it will all be very regimented - that is Annikas way. That is how she played her career as a player and I dont see any reason why that would be any different as a captain.Also See:Ko claims major titleZuel: Hull comfortableSorenstams record toughGolf live on Sky ' ' '