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  • Competition for the two spots on the Canadian womens mountain bike team for London was so tight that an Olympic silver medallist didnt make the squad. John Riggins Jersey . World champion Catharine Pendrel of Harvey Station, N.B., is the headliner on the team unveiled Wednesday. Rising star Emily Batty of Brooklin, Ont., was named to the team ahead of Marie-Helene Premont, who won silver at the 2004 Summer Games. "The only thing we kept wishing was that we had three spots because theyre both incredible riders," national mountain bike coach Dan Proulx said from Mont-Sainte-Anne, Que., during a conference call. "Ultimately it comes down to the best potential for a medal performance. "At the end of the day it was decided that Emily was the best choice for this Olympics." Geoff Kabush of Courtney, B.C., competing in his third Olympic Games, and Victorias Max Plaxton are on the mens team bound for London. Each country is allowed a maximum of two female racers and two male racers. The 24-year-old Batty was eighth in last years world championship and is currently ranked 15th in the world. She earned her first World Cup podium earlier this year by finishing second in a South Africa race. Premont, 34, finished just behind Batty in ninth at the world championship and is currently ranked 20th. "To gain this spot over Marie-Helene, its very honouring, but at the same time its very difficult," Batty said. "While I did take the second spot over Marie, Marie is somebody that paved my path. Any given day, shes still podium potential." Pendrel is the world No. 1 in womens mountain biking. The 31-year-old finished fourth in her first Olympics in Beijing four years ago and will be a podium contender in London. "Whenever you have expectations on you, I think it can be a huge positive because it means theres that many people who believe in you and your ability," Pendrel said. "I think you need to harness those expectations and turn it into confidence. Thats what I plan to do going into London." Pendrel and Batty will give Canada a strong 1-2 punch on the Hadleigh Farm course Aug. 11. "Canada is ranked No. 1 in the world in womens mountain biking," Pendrel points out. "Its so unfortunate we only get to take two women to the Olympics because we have three women who can go there and perform. "I think both Emily and myself have shown this year we can be on the World Cup international podium. Theres a lot of very talented women out there. I feel theres six or more women capable of the win on the day. We all have to bring our A game." The Canadian cycling teams objective is to win at least two medals and thats from all disciplines including track, road and BMX. Its quite likely a medal will come from the mountain bike team, however. "If we come out than less than two medals, well have missed the benchmark," said Jacques Landry, Cycling Canadas high-performance director. The women race on the penultimate day of the Games, while the men dont compete until the day of the closing ceremonies Aug. 12. The mountain bike team competes at a World Cup in France just prior to the Games. The riders will then stay at a house near Hadleigh Farm to prepare for their Olympic races. "Its too bad were not going to get to enjoy the experience in the village much," Kabush said. "Well be a bit removed which I think is going to be best for our focus for the competition. "The men are racing just before the closing ceremonies, but Im excited to get cleaned up and go to the closing ceremonies. Definitely some of my best memories from the Games are hanging out with all the athletes in the infield." Kabush finished ninth at the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney, Australia, and was 20th in Beijing. Hes 28th in the mens rankings. Plaxton, who will make his Olympic debut, is currently 40th. "Ive crossed the first phase off the list of making the team and now Im going focus on having the best race I can," Plaxton said. Canada has won two Olympic medals in mountain biking. Alison Sydor took silver in 1996 followed by Premonts silver in 2004. The Olympic track cycling team was announced last week. It includes Edmontons Tara Whitten, Zach Bell of Watson Lake, Yukon, Calgarys Monique Sullivan, Joseph Veloce of Fonthill, Ont., Jasmin Glaesser of Coquitlam, B.C., and Gillian Carleton of Victoria. Laura Brown of Vancouver is an alternate. The road cycling team will be announced Thursday. Tyler Polumbus Jersey . Also, Alexei Klimov of Russia underlined his world champion status in the 25-meter rapid fire pistol when he headed off Chinese shooters Ding Feng and Zhang Jian in the hit-or-miss final. Chris Chester Jersey . The Canadian men open play Friday in Pool D against Australia, France and the U.S. "On paper, its a good draw," Canadian sevens coach Geraint John said Thursday. http://www.shopredskinsgear.us/robert-griffin-iii-redskins-jersey/ . Rickie Weeks homered twice and tied a career high with four RBIs to help Wily Peralta win his first major league start and lead the surging Brewers over the Miami Marlins 8-5 on Wednesday night. Logan Paulsen Jersey . The Titans said Munchak told Palmer of his decision Monday night. Munchak said in a statement he respects Palmer as a coach, which is why they brought him to Tennessee. London Fletcher Jersey . While F1 fans are enjoying the drama and suspense of not knowing whats likely to happen next, the top drivers are scratching their heads as they try to figure out how to pull away from their main rivals.Winnipeg added a veteran point-producing centre to their forward mix. Numbers Game examines the Jets signing Olli Jokinen. The Jets Get: C Olli Jokinen. Jokinen, 33, experienced a bit of an offensive resurrection last season, scoring 23 goals and 61 points, his highest point total since 2007-2008, the last season that he played more than last seasons average of 18:58 per game. Since 2000-2001, there are two players (Henrik Sedin and Andrew Brunette) that have played more games than Jokinens 886. There also happen to only be two players (Ilya Kovalchuk and Mike Sillinger) with a worst plus-minus than Jokinens minus-96 over that period. Even as his production has waned, falling below the point-per-game production of his peak years, Jokinen handled first-line responsibility for the Flames last season. In Winnipeg, hell add experience and production down the middle, a position that is relatively thin, with Bryan Little the only returning pivot with more than 40 points laast season. Kory Lichtensteiger Jersey. Additionally, having Jokinen to eat up minutes down the middle should also allow the Jets to remain patient with last years first-round pick, Mark Scheifele, who doesnt have to be rushed to the NHL before hes ready to play and contribute in a significant role. That doesnt mean Scheifele cant make the team next year, but it means that if he does make the club, hell most likley have earned his spot. Calgary prepared to cut ties with Jokinen by signing free agent centre Roman Cervenka, which required far less financial commitment than the two years, $9-million that Jokinen received from Winnipeg. The acquisition of Jokinen doesnt necessarily make the Jets a playoff team, but theyre a better team than the one that ended last season, having added a proven veteran scorer to the lineup. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' '

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