Dein erstes Forum » (5-1), who was the Queens Plate winterboo

RIO DE JANEIRO -- The president of cyclings world governing body defended the Olympic road course on Saturday, calling it a fair test and suggesting those who crashed pushed past their limits.Brian Cookson addressed a number of issues during a wide-ranging news conference at the Rio de Janeiro Games at the midway point of the cycling program, including doping, the schedule of the track cycling program and several road racing issues.But perhaps the biggest hot-button issue through a week of competition was a road course that some had labeled too dangerous. One particularly nasty descent caused riders such as Italian star Vincenzo Nibali to go down and left Dutch rider Annemiek van Vleuten in the hospital.Weve had discussions about the number of crashes and the circumstances, Cookson said. It is my belief and our belief at the UCI that the courses were in the bounds of what was reasonable.Van Vleuten spent several days in the hospital with a concussion and three small fractures to her spine. She flew home to the Netherlands on Friday to continue her recovery.Its the riders responsibility to make the right decisions, Cookson said. I went to speak with Annemiek in the hospital and talked to her, and in her case, it was an error of judgment there.Cookson was also asked about the silver medal won by Olga Zabelinskaya in the time trial. It came just days after the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled a ban on Russian athletes who had been barred from competing for prior doping offenses was unenforceable, allowing Zabelinskaya to compete.The Russian cyclist who finished second in the time trial was entitled to be here under the rules of the [World Anti-Doping Agency] and the IOC, Cookson said. Im guessing she will not be the only previously convicted doped athlete at the Games.Cookson has been working to clean up the sport after years of doping, including Lance Armstrongs admission of guilt a few years ago. He said the positive test of a Brazilian cyclist in an out-of-competition test the week before the road race was a sign of progress.Ive said this many times before, cycling has been leading for many years in the fight against doping in sport, Cookson said. Whether there is a small number of athletes trying to cheat, I hope not, but if they are, we will catch them and we will sanction them.In other issues:? Cookson said the UCI is still examining the blood bags from Operation Puerto, the Spanish police investigation into a doping ring led by Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes. Cookson otherwise declined to comment on the ongoing investigation, saying only that when we have something to report, we will.??The UCI is confident WorldTour teams will compete in the team time trial at the world championships in Qatar. Several teams announced plans to boycott the event, in part because they are required to compete at their own expense.??Cookson said he was open to smaller teams in major events such as the Tour de France, but he warned that I think some of the bigger teams would object to that, and there are pros and cons to the details of that. Its something I wouldnt rule, out but lets move forward gradually.??The UCI hopes to expand the cycling program at future Olympics, though Cookson did not say whether it would be merely an expansion of the track program or the addition of another discipline, such as downhill mountain biking or freestyle BMX competition. Linus Ullmark Jersey . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Jeff Skinner Jersey . 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ETOBICOKE, Ontario -- The once-beaten Plate Trial winner Amis Gizmo drew post 10 and has been made the 3-1 favorite for the 157th running of the $1 million Queens Plate at Woodbine on Sunday.Along with Gambles Ghost, Amis Gizmo is one of two serious contenders in the 13-horse field owned by Ivan Dalos and trained by Josie Carroll. Gambles Ghost, the lone filly in the lineup, drew post 13 and is the 6-1 fourth choice under new rider Patrick Husbands. Luis Contreras, who had been riding both, chose Amis Gizmo.I think post 10 is fine, Carroll said. Hes a very tactical horse. Hes very easy to place. From that vantage point, Luis will be able to do what he wants with him.Carroll said she wasnt concerned with Gambles Ghosts outside draw.Shes a filly that doesnt have a lot of speed anyway, Carroll said. Shes a deep closer. Theres a long run into that first turn, and theres plenty of time to tuck in and get position.Leavem in Malibu (post 4) is the 7-2 second choice, with Gary Boulanger riding for Woodbines perennial leading trainer, Mark Casse. The late-developing son of Malibu Moon defeated older allowance opposition in his last oouting.dddddddddddd.Trainer Roger Attfield was content with post 6 for Shakhimat (5-1), who was the Queens Plate winterbook favorite. Attfield is seeking a record-breaking ninth Plate victory with last years Coronation Futurity winner.Amazingly, no horse has swept the nine-furlong Coronation and the following years Queens Plate since the Attfield-trained Norcliffe in 1975-76.The Maryland-based Esposito is 8-1, with Alan Garcia breaking him from post 11. He won his belated season opener in a seven-furlong allowance here June 5 for trainer Tom Proctor.All On Red and Scholar Athlete are both 12-1. Rounding out the field are Sir Dudley Digges (15-1), Cheburashka (30-1), Mike (30-1), My Name Is Jim (30-1), Narrow Escape (30-1), and Rocket Plan (30-1).The Queens Plate is race 10 at 5:36 p.m. Eastern on a 13-race card that begins at 1 p.m. It will be broadcast in Canada on CTV and TSN2 from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m.Sundays early weather forecast calls for a sunny, warm day in Toronto, with a high of 79 degrees. ' ' '