RIO DE JANEIRO -- In the unpredictable sport of BMX cycling, where races last just about 40 seconds, a strong start means a lot.Get to the front after the first turn, and theres a good chance a rider will be able to avoid the kind of wreck-filled chaos that marked the action in the mens quarterfinal round at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics on a breezy afternoon.Its always the key, Australias Sam Willoughby said, but especially ... when its windy like this and theres carnage out there.An early lead will come in handy for riders in the mens and womens semifinals beginning Friday afternoon, with the medal races later in the day.Willoughby is on a roll headed into the semis after winning all three of his heats in the quarters on Thursday . Australian teammate Anthony Dean also had a strong quarterfinal round, while the United States and the Netherlands each sent all three of their cyclists into the mens semis.We dont have lanes and its a full-contact sport, so the start is very important, Willoughby, the 2012 silver medalist, said this week. To get out front at the first corner, you can run your own race from there and create your own destiny a bit.Its tough enough just to have a chance to lead the pack after the first turn.The action begins with cyclists released from a starting gate at the top of a ramp three stories tall. They pedal furiously down the ramp and pick up speed to jump hills and maneuver through turns on the roughly quarter mile-long course.U.S. rider Alise Post said she thinks riders reach a speed of 35 to 40 mph just a few seconds into the race. Theres no suspension on the bikes, either.Its very demanding for sure, Post said.The series of jumps after the starting ramp leads into the wide first turn. Inside position is important. Stay out in front and there is a greater likelihood that a rider wont get caught up in the pack of cyclists desperately trying to catch up.And this all might happen in a span of 10 seconds, maybe less.The alternative is to scramble from behind, which isnt uncommon, though less desirable.A contenders day can end in a hurry. In the quarterfinals on Thursday, two-time gold medalist Maris Strombergs barely missed the cut after getting set back from a crash in his first heat that also involved Britains Liam Phillips. Joris Daudet of France, the reigning world champion, also got knocked out after crashing.Theres still 800 feet of track that you cant mess up on ... because seven guys will pass you, no problem, U.S. rider Nic Long said. Its never easy. But yeah, winning to the first jump, the winning to the second jump, then winning the first turn, makes winning to the finish line that much easier.---Online:AP Summer Games: http://summergames.ap.org/---Follow Genaro Armas at: https://twitter.com/GArmasAP Kurt Warner Rams Jersey ., and Rudi Swiegers of Kipling, Sask., took sixth spot on Saturday in pairs at the NHK Trophy ISU Grand Prix figure skating competition. Kurt Warner Youth Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. http://www.ramsrookiestore.com/Rams-Todd-Gurley-Jersey/ .com) - The Chicago Blackhawks aim for their third three-game winning streak of the season when they host the struggling Edmonton Oilers in Sundays battle at the United Center. Darrell Henderson Jersey . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record. Cooper Kupp Jersey . Gerald Green and Miles Plumlee? Green had bounced around the NBA when he wasnt playing overseas. The Pacers gave up on Plumlee after just one season. Now Green and Plumlee are key cogs in the Suns surprising breakout season. NEW YORK -- Fresh off leading the Chicago Cubs to their first World Series title in more than a century, slugger Kris Bryant and several teammates could soon be hoisting more hardware.Bryant is among the top three vote-getters for the NL MVP award, with Cubs manager Joe Maddon and pitchers Jon Lester and Kyle Hendricks in contention for other honors.The Baseball Writers Association of America announced the finalists Monday. Voting was completed before the postseason, and award winners will be announced next week on MLB Network.A season after he was the NL Rookie of the Year, Bryant hit 39 home runs with 102 RBI while batting .292. The third baseman also scored a league-high 121 runs.Washington second baseman Daniel Murphy, who batted .347 for the NL East champions, and Dodgers rookie shortstop Corey Seager also are up for NL MVP.AL batting champion Jose Altuve of Houston, 2014 winner Mike Trout of the Angels and Boston outfielder Mookie Betts are the AL finalists. The MVPs will be announced Nov. 17.The AL Cy Young Award is between Cleveland ace Corey Kluber, Bostonns Rick Porcello and Detroits Justin Verlander.dddddddddddd. In the NL, its Lester, Hendricks or Washingtons Max Scherzer on Nov. 16.Detroits Michael Fulmer, the Yankees Gary Sanchez and Clevelands Tyler Naquin are finalists for AL Rookie of the Year. Seager, Dodgers teammate Kenta Maeda and Washingtons Trea Turner are the NL contenders, with the top rookies announced next Monday.Maddon, Washingtons Dusty Baker and Dave Roberts of the Dodgers are up for NL Manager of the Year. Clevelands Terry Francona, who guided his team into the World Series, Texas Jeff Banister and Baltimores Buck Showalter are the AL candidates. Those honors will be awarded Nov. 15.The Cubs led the majors with 103 wins during the regular season.Last year, Chicago won three major awards after reaching the NL Championship Series. In addition to Bryant earning rookie honors, Maddon was the NL Manager of the Year and pitcher Jake Arrieta took home the NL Cy Young Award. ' ' '