Milan - Bou eager to maintain his 100% record

Having won the 2011 SPEA FIM X-Trial World Championship with one round to spare Toni Bou - Repsol Montesa will travel to Milan for the finale this weekend intent on keeping his one hundred percent record intact. That is not to say that the Spaniard, who now has five indoor crowns, will not take a moment to relax and enjoy his victory before heading to Italy, though?
 
?I think it is impossible not to relax a little bit now I have achieved my goal and won the X-Trial title,? confirmed Bou. ?But I will go to Milan and, like always, I will want to win the Trial. I may have a slightly different mentality in Milan than I had in Madrid and the four rounds before it, but I always want to win and it will not be any different in Italy.?
 
Bou was pushed hard by Adam Raga - Gas Gas in Madrid and at times looked nervous. Shortly after his triumph he confirmed to journalists that the occasion got to him more than usual:  ?I admit that I did feel a little extra pressure. I wanted to win and wrap up the title. Plus it was a very important round for Repsol as Madrid is their hometown, and so that was playing on my mind. But after winning all four races before Madrid I was confident, and so I did not feel too nervous.?
 
?It was a hard race and Adam was riding well,? continued Bou. ?I think that made my victory even more special than last year?s, because the race was much harder. All five rounds have been very difficult this year, and I have had to work hard to win the championship. Madrid was very difficult, and two of the sections were very tough. But I think in Barcelona was perhaps the toughest race so far.?
 
Despite boasting five FIM World indoor titles and four FIM World outdoor, Bou will not be tempted into speculating how long his winning streak can continue: ?I do not think about how many championships I can win. I take it race by race, season by season, and I do not look any further than the end of each year. My goal at the start of every season is always the same, to win the title that year. I do not think any further ahead than that.?
 
Winning the 2011 SPEA FIM X-Trial World Championship at the penultimate round was a luxury for Bou and it will be interesting to see how he performs in Milan without any pressure on his shoulders. The Italian fans could be treated to a vintage performance as the unbeaten Catalan attempts to keep a clean sheet and enjoy the final round of what has been yet another superb X-Trial series for the World?s best trials rider.


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Source: http://www.fim-live.com//en/media/news/news-detail/article/1300121374-milan-bou-eager-to-maintain-his-100-record/

Carlo Bandirola Bruno Bonhuil Bruno Bertacchini

How to Use a Topographic Map

For the outdoor adventurer, knowing how to read and use a topographic map effectively is an invaluable skill. Whether you?re planning a hike or looking for a place to set up camp in an unfamiliar area, being able to use this type of map will make you a safer, more confident, and better informed explorer. What?s so neat about the topographic map, of course, is that it allows you to visualize a given area in a three dimensional manner, as opposed to the two dimensions that other maps can offer. Use the tips below to help you form the mental picture that topographic maps allow you to create.

Reading the Contours

topographic mapAs mentioned before, topographic maps use a system of lines to indicate elevation. Whereas regular maps only allow you to think in terms of length and width, these add height into the mix. It works through the use of what are called ?contour lines?. In essence, they are lines drawn that represent an area of equal elevation. So, as you look at a circular hill on a topographic map, for instance, you will see contour lines at different elevations (with exact numbers included on each ?index? contour line) all the way up to the hill?s peak. To make it easier to read, most topographic maps use a ?contour interval? that is specified in the key (or legend). This allows you to judge the relative steepness of elevation increase. Generally, the less space between contour lines, the steeper the hill or valley is.

Putting it Into Context

Along with the contour lines, topographic maps also include a scale on which to base distances. When a map is made, the whole area is essentially shrunk down proportionally to give you a minimized picture of a large swath of land. Generally, they are shrunk so that one small measurement on the map is equivalent to one much larger unit of measurement on the map. So, for instance, one topographic map might have a key that reads 1:24,000 inches. This means that every one inch displayed on the map is 24,000 inches (or 2000 feet) on the land itself. This method of scaling helps give you an accurate representation of the land you?re currently on.

Putting the Map to Good Use

No matter how well you can read a topographic map, it won?t do you any good in real-life outdoor experience if you ignore the information given. If, for example, you?re looking for a nice, easy hike at ambling pace, you?ll want to seek out areas of the map where contour lines are further apart and elevations remain steady. A hike for good exercise, meanwhile, might benefit from rapid elevation changes. The ingeniousness of the topographic map doesn?t necessarily lie in the pure information it gives ? it?s in how you use that information. So, now that you know the basics of what makes these maps unique, don?t hesitate ? get outside and use one!

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Steve Baker Stefano Bianco Jean Michel Bayle

Brandon Davies: BYU Basketball Player Davies Suspended For Sexual Acts

97674174_crop_340x234 Ethan Miller/Getty Images

BYU Basketball Player Brandon Davies Reportedly Suspended For Having Sexual Relations

Brandon Davies, the BYU basketball player who was suspended from the team yesterday, has been suspended for violating the school's "honor code." For the last 24 hours we have all been wondering exactly what that might entail, with theories of theft, drugs, alcohol, etc. Well, it looks like we finally found an answer to the question.

The Salt Lake Tribune is reporting that Davies was suspended from the team because he had premarital sex. While that may not sound like the most egregious act in the world, in the Mormon book that is one of the worst sins that a person can commit. He did have sex with his girlfriend, so it's not like he just picked up someone off the street and had sex with some random person.

Davies did apologize to his team to his teammates yesterday before their game against New Mexico. He is still in school, at least for the time being, but he isn't able to play for the basketball team. School officials are still discussing the matter to determine if he will be allowed to stay at BYU to finish his degree.

BYU lost their first game without Davies last night against New Mexico, 82-64. However, they lost New Mexico earlier in the year with Davies, so New Mexico could just have BYU's number.

Davies will be missed by this team as they enter the tournament later this month. He was the third leading scorer for the team with 11 points per game, and he led the team in rebounding at just over six per game

It's refreshing to see a program that has an honor code actually live up to that code despite the implications that it could have on the basketball team, which was a borderline final four team before losing Davies.

I am not a Mormon or one who pretends to understand all the little nuances that go into being a religious person, so I don't know just how big of a deal premarital sex is. Apparently, people in Utah, especially the people in charge at BYU, take this kind of thing very seriously, so I guess that it's best to respect the rules that they have set in place.

In a world where we would be willing to sell almost anything to see our favorite team win a championship, you have to give credit to BYU for learning about the situation and doing what they believe to be the right thing.

Related Story: Projecting BYU and the 67 Other NCAA Tournament Teams

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Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/625412-brandon-davies-tina-stewart-pakistan-vs-canada-and-thursdays-top-sports-news/entry/50515-brandon-davies-byu-basketball-player-davies-suspended-for-sexual-acts

Luca Boscoscuro Alessandro Antonello Alain Barbaroux

Honda Now Has Five Factory Riders ? Knights San Carlo Honda Gresini as a Factory Squad

Honda Now Has Five Factory Riders   Knights San Carlo Honda Gresini as a Factory Squad San Carlo Gresini Honda launch 635x414

How serious is Honda about winning the 2011 MotoGP World Championship? At Team Gresini?s MotoGP launch at Monza today, it was quietly confirmed that the San Carlo Honda Gresini squad has been given the keys to the candy store, turning the team into a factory-backed effort. While Marco Simoncelli was already assured factory support from Honda for the 2011 season, the move adds Hiroshi Aoyama to the factory rider list, and likely makes Gresini?s life infinitely less complex by not having to manage between a factory and non-factory split garage.

Team Gresini will now get full access to the Honda?s technical staff and data acquisition from the other factory riders ? meaning every Honda rider except Toni Elias. This bodes well for the squad, as Simoncelli looked very promising at Sepang (likely a factor adding in this announcement), and of course Honda is keen not to see its only countrymen in the series (Aoyama) excluded from having the best equipment.

?Today is a factory team a hundred percent,? said Team Principal Fausto Gresini (translated from Italian to English via Google). ?And I feel much more official than in the past for the opening of the Honda against us: we now have access to all data and Honda placed his staff between our technical team. If you see the box you understand that our team is official.?

Cramming the MotoGP grid full of factory riders seems like an interesting way to better the Honda?s chances for success, although it remains to be seen how having five hungry mouths to feed with technical support will work for the Japanese manufacturer, and who, if anyone, will get top priority with development efforts.

In addition to its five factory riders, Honda has already had to tip its hand regarding its new faster-shifting transmission, after accusations that Honda was using an illegal DCT arose from the Italian press. At the latest Sepang test, the 2011 Honda RC212V looked assuredly faster when compared to the Yamaha, Ducati, and Suzuki MotoGP efforts. It?s far too early to make analogies to the 2011 season, but Honda has certainly thrown down its challenge. It?ll be interesting to see how the other teams respond.

Source: GPone

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Jack Ahearn Ismael Bonilla Ingemar Bengtsson

Marcus Dupree Reigns as King of the Ring in Philadelphia, Mississippi

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Marcus Dupree

PHILADELPHIA, Miss. - Marcus Dupree left here destined to be the greatest football player ever. He returned over the weekend as a pro wrestler looking for a new start.

There he was, a burly grandfather all dressed up in Oklahoma red, dropping make-believe elbows on pretend bad guys. Somehow you knew Dupree's long strange journey would end like this, sharing a bill with characters like the Krypt Keeper and the Albino Rhino.

The rasslin' extravaganza on the outskirts of town pretty much lived down to expectations. The surprising thing was the main attraction didn't.

"I'm happy, I'm living, I'm healthy," Dupree said.

That's great, but most of us figured he would want more out of life at age 46. It's hard to imagine Tom Brady happily swinging a folding chair as Gisele Bundchen sits ringside. But you and I and Tom and Giselle aren't from around these parts.

Most of us look at Dupree and see a story in search of a happy ending. Saturday night's event was billed as "REDEMPTION."

How could it be found chasing clowns around a wrestling ring at the Neshoba County Coliseum?

The last time Dupree performed in front of a hometown crowd was Nov. 13, 1981. He scored his 87th career touchdown for Philadelphia High, breaking Herschel Walker's national record. You probably know the rest of the story.


Dupree signed with Oklahoma. He made second-team All American as a freshman and gained 239 yards in an abbreviated Fiesta Bowl appearance. Conflicts ensued. When Barry Switzer gets on you for a lack of discipline, you know you have issues.

Dupree left Oklahoma, signed with the USFL and injured his left knee. He came back five years later for a couple of nondescript seasons in the NFL.

He was the best that never was.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/02/21/marcus-dupree-reigns-as-king-of-the-ring-in-philadelphia-missis/

Reiner Bratenstein Steve Baker Stefano Bianco

Tiger Tees it Up in Dubai with Serviceman

Tiger WoodsLt. Col. Michael Rowells, a nine handicap, found himself shanking balls from the rough and dropping shots into the water Wednesday in Dubai. The serviceman was nervous and rattled by his surroundings.

The reason? His playing partner was Tiger Woods.

Rowells beat 16,000 other golfers in a draw and was given the opportunity to play with Woods. Stationed in Afghanistan, Rowells had to scramble in order to get a passport and borrowed a set of golf clubs from Emirates Golf Club.

"I came in wanting to play decent and I really didn't," Rowells said. "But it didn't matter. The experience was so far beyond what my score would have been. The time with Tiger, and the time here at Emirates Golf Club, has just been tremendous regardless of how many balls I put in the water."

Though his overall game was lacking, Rowells was able to cozy up a few approach shots and drain some long par putts during the round, drawing some praise from one of the world's top golfers.

Woods is familiar with the military, as his father did a couple of tours in Vietnam, so the two spoke mainly about Rowells' service.

"He understands the services, and that is always a plus," Rowells said. "A lot of people don't quite understand what we do. I think he has decent respect for the military and that is always nice. We spoke a little about his dad, some of the places he had been, like Fort Bragg, where I'll be ending up in the next year and a half or so."

Overall, Rowells with smitten with the experience and left impressed by the golfer, who has been dealing with some trying circumstances over the past year.

"I played with a Tiger that struck the ball very well, was a complete gentleman, a class act, easygoing and put me at ease," he said. "One of the larger-than-life figures was very down to earth and very accommodating to somebody that came in to do this."

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report

 

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Source: http://golf.fanhouse.com/2011/02/09/tiger-tees-it-up-in-dubai-with-serviceman/

Jaime Alguesuari Jacques Bolle Jacques Bernard

Report: Bud Selig Vetoes Proposed $200M FOX Loan to Frank McCourt, Dodgers

by FanHouse Staff

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Bud Selig vetoed a proposed loan of about $200 million from FOX to Dodgers owner Frank McCourt, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Selig made the decision several weeks ago, according to the Times, denying McCourt a much-needed source of financing as he continues to struggle through a messy divorce and attempts to maintain control of the storied franchise.

McCourt planned to use the Dodgers' cable television rights as collateral for the loan, proposing to extend the team's contract with FOX for as many as four more years if he was unable to repay the money.

McCourt already has received an advance on television rights fees owed to the team by FOX, the Times has reported.

 

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Source: http://mlb.fanhouse.com/2011/02/25/bud-selig-vetoes-proposed-200m-fox-loan-to-frank-mccourt-dodge/

John Blanchard John Anderson Jean Pierre Beltoise

Suzuki Recalls 70,000 Motorcycles for Faulty Rectifier

Suzuki Recalls 70,000+ Motorcycles for Faulty Rectifier 2009 Suzuk GSXR 600 635x422

If you?ve bought a Suzuki motorcycle in the past few years, you might want to check out the list for the Japanese company?s latest motorcycle recall. Affecting 73,426 motorcycles from various product lines and model years (2008-2010), Suzuki has discovered a faulty electrical rectifier/regulator in its design that needs replacing.

According to the recall, rectifiers/regulators on bikes built between July 2007 and September 2009 have an inadequate amount of adhesion between the power module and the case, which results in the unit not sufficiently being cooled by its heat sink (affected Suzuki part numbers are: 32800-41F11, 32800-15H10, 32800-05H11, 32800-41G10, 32800-15H00, 32800-18H00, 32800-05G10, 32800-10G10, 32800-05H20, OR 32800-06G01). As a result the unit?s circuit board could warp, and become dislodged from its casing.

Should the rectifier/regulator start malfunctioning because of this condition, the motorcycle would improperly charge its electrical system, likely draining the battery, and possibly causing the motorcycle to stall. Suzuki will notify owners affected by the issue, and a Suzuki distributor will replace the affected part for free. The recall is expected to take place March 2, 2011, the affected models are listed below. Concerned Suzuki owners can contact Suzuki 1-714-996-7040, and as always the NHTSA is available at 1-888-327-4236 or at the safercar.gov website.

Source: NHTSA

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Bob Anderson Angelo Bergamonti Andrea Borgonovo

Raiders Franchise Kamerion Wimbley; Re-sign Stanford Routt, John Henderson

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The Raiders continue securing major elements of their rising defense.

On Thursday, the team used its franchise tag to retain linebacker Kamerion Wimbley. He led the Raiders last season with nine sacks in his first year with the club after joining the team in a trade with Cleveland.

In addition, ESPN.com reported that the Raiders reached multi-year deals with Stanford Routt, who beat out Chris Johnson for the starting right cornerback job last season, and defensive lineman John Henderson, a key run-stopper.

The Raiders initially hoped to use a $3.5 million buyback provision to retain Wimbley but that move was rescinded by the NFL, citing the league's contract rules barring annual increases in base salaries beyond 30 percent.

Under the franchise tag, which pays the designee the average of the five highest paid players at his position, Wimbley could receive about $10 million. His agent, Joe Linta, told The Associated Press that he and the Raiders hoped to work out a long-term deal.

The sides can negotiate until March 3, when the collective bargaining agreement between players and owners is set to expire. There is the threat of a lockout of the players by owners if no agreement is reached by then.

Wimbley can also negotiate with other teams, though the franchise tag mandates that if he goes elsewhere the Raiders would receive two first round picks as compensation.

The contract for Routt, reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter to be worth $31.5 million over three years, ensures the return of half of the Raiders' dynamic cornerback tandem. It remains to be seen whether the Raiders can keep Nnamdi Asomugha, the Pro Bowl pass defender who is heading toward free agency.

The Raiders also re-signed Henderson to a two-year deal worth $8 million, according to Schefter. Owner Al Davis is clearly doing his utmost to try to keep the defense intact and give new coach Hue Jackson the best chance to deliver on his vow to win the division next season.

 

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Source: http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2011/02/24/raiders-franchise-kamerion-wimbley-re-sign-stanford-routt-john/

Vincent Braillard Umberto Braga Troy Bayliss

UCF Notches One of Its Best Classes

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While most teams feel the success of the latest season in a year or even two years, Central Florida started cashing in on its 2010 campaign with its 2011 recruiting class.

The Knights' 11 wins, Conference USA championship, Liberty Bowl win over Georgia and No. 21 ranking were enough to attract what coach George O'Leary claims is the best class in his seven seasons as the head of the program.

"I think the athleticism and the balance (make this our best class)," O'Leary said. "I think we helped out a lot of positions as far as bringing in quality players at all the positions, and I think that's what you really need to be doing."

The Knights signed 29 players, including three four-star recruits who all signed after the Feb. 2 signing date. Included among those four-star recruits were linebacker Leilon Willingham and receiver Rayshon Williams, who go to Mullen High School in Denver. Both players signed their letters of intent on Feb. 3 because a snowstorm in Denver forced Mullen to cancel classes on Feb. 2. Williams is the cousin of former UCF standout and current Miami Dolphins receiver Brandon Marshall. Marshall is also Williams' legal guardian.

 

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Source: http://ncaafootball.fanhouse.com/2011/02/18/ucf-notches-one-of-its-best-classes/

Felice Agostini Fabio Biliotti Fabio Barchitta