hiccup, Ryan said.dddddddddddd I was asking about injuries, checking on the health of certain people. Just want to make sure of the status. I feel really good about this team. I mean this is a ve

The British were supposed to dominate the Olympic road race in London, ushering sprint ace Mark Cavendish over the lumpy course in the Surrey countryside and delivering him to the finish at Buckingham Palace.Instead, Kazakh rider Alexander Vinokourov boldly broke away for gold.Four years later, things could be even more unpredictable when riders line up at famed Copacabana Beach on the first full day of the Rio Olympics.The first medal event of the cycling program will feature one of the most challenging road courses in Olympic history, a hilly ride on the Brazilian coast that could whittle the field to a handful of riders by the time they reach the finish at Flamengo Park.Its a really gnarly course, said Jim Miller, the vice president of athletics for USA Cycling.Just as gnarly is the time trial course, which uses a rolling portion of the road course, and at 36 miles for the men and nearly 20 for the women is long enough to tax even the most powerful riders.I think its maybe one of the hardest stand-alone time trials Ive ever seen, Miller said. You are looking at an hour-long TT for the guys, and one thats not at all straightforward.Indeed, the road races and time trials are complex events. Here is a breakdown of what you should know:COURSES MATTERFast, flat courses favor sprinters, and the courses in Brazil are neither flat nor fast. They are more like a one-day race in Northern Europe, complete with cobbled sections and tough climbs. Riders such as Tour de France champion Chris Froome could have a chance to shine.AMERICAN HOPESThere are only two American men in the event, Taylor Phinney and Brent Bookwalter. Phinney has medal aspirations -- he was fourth in both races in London. The American women will arrive at the Rio Games as heavy favorites. Megan Guarnier is the top-ranked rider in the Womens WorldTour and will be backed on the road by a strong cast of veterans, while Kristin Armstrong is the two-time and defending time trial champ.I feel prepared, Armstrong said, and am really looking forward to the challenging time trial course.NAMES TO WATCHAlejandro Valverde and Joaquin Rodriquez of Spain, Vincenzo Nibali of Italy and Rui Costa of Portugal are some of the men with the skills suited for Rios road course. Reigning gold medalist Marianne Vos and fellow Dutchwoman Anna van der Breggen are among the headliners in the womens field, while Britains Lizzie Armitstead will have to survive the tough climbs to have a shot.In the time trial, Bradley Wiggins decided to compete on the track rather than defend his gold, so Tony Martin becomes the favorite with Dutch rider Tom Dumoulin and Australian star Rohan Dennis joining Froome in trying to dethrone the German powerhouse. In the womens race, world champion Linda Villumsen of New Zealand, German star Lisa Brennauer and Ellen van Dijk of the Netherlands should contend.I have great memories of London and winning bronze in the time trial, Froome said. I will be giving it everything I can in Rio to try and win another medal for Great Britain.WHO IS MISSINGVinokourov retired shortly after his road race triumph in London, while Cavendish joined Wiggins in switching back to the track. But the biggest name missing is world champ Peter Sagan, who decided to compete in mountain biking after deciding the road course was too tough for him.The aim is to achieve the best result, said Slovak Cycling Federation executive Jan Zilovec. Peter in the past managed to win the World Cup in mountain biking, so his chances of a good outcome are realistic.AVOIDING CONTROVERSYVinokourov put doping in the spotlight with his victory in London after his much-publicized history with performance-enhancing drugs. But perhaps getting more attention during the run-up to Rio has been mechanical doping, the use of tiny motors inside frames to give riders an edge. The sports world governing body, the UCI, has poured money and research into developing tablets and other devices to test for improper mechanics. Keeping the race controversy-free has never been more complex.Its cheating, and people will always try, UCI president Brian Cookson said. But well be working with the IOC, well have delegates to the technical checks and well work together to ensure a clean race.J. D. Martinez Red Sox Jersey . Dusautoir, the former World Player of the Year, sustained a torn bicep playing for Toulouse in the Heineken Cup on Saturday. The flanker, who has played 65 times for France, is expected to be out for up to four months. Xander Bogaerts Red Sox Jersey .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. https://www.cheapredsox.com/2451z-chris-owings-jersey-red-sox.html . The 15th-ranked Canadian men lost the opening two games of their European tour: 19-15 to No. 17 Georgia and 21-20 to No. Josh Taylor Jersey . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Ryan Weber Jersey . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta.GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Try to get Paul Ryan to talk politics on Thursday, and youd get nowhere. Ask the speaker of the house about the Green Bay Packers, and he would gladly speak about his favorite football team.The U.S. representative from Wisconsin visited Packers training camp practice and afterward was invited by coach Mike McCarthy into the end-of-practice huddle, where he and his kids met quarterback Aaron Rodgers.Just sports questions, sports only, he said.?Hed rather talk about meeting Rodgers.That was something my kids will never forget for the rest of their lives, Ryan said during a short interview with reporters at practice. That was very cool. Hes my favorite player. Ive been watching this team all my life. To be a lifelong Packer fan to come out and actually watch the practice, see the Packers, this is a big moment.The Janesville, Wisconsin, native said he asked McCarthy for an injury report on receiver Jordy Nelson, who is on the physically unable to perform list after experiencing a hiccup with his left knee.I just want to make surre a hiccups a hiccup, Ryan said.dddddddddddd I was asking about injuries, checking on the health of certain people. Just want to make sure of the status. I feel really good about this team. I mean this is a very deep team. The talent, the draft was good. I feel very excited about this team. We keep ourselves healthy, I feel like we can go all the way this year, and I dont just say that every year. I feel really good about our team this year.Ryan said even though hes used to giving speeches, he was nervous when McCarthy asked him to talk to the team.I just told them how much we love the Packers, how much we support them, he said. The community loves these guys, and its just great to be there, and I just closed with saying Go Pack.The only political talk came when the Republican was asked whether he would watch Hillary Clintons speech later that night at the Democratic National Convention .Of course I will, he said. ' ' '