Former CART champion and F1 driver Alex Zanardi on Wednesday won Paralympic gold in the hand-cycling time trial in Rio, the first of two medals he is defending this year.The Italian, who lost both legs in a horrific accident during a CART race at the Lausitzring in 2001, crossed the line in 28 minutes, 36.8 seconds, ahead of Stuart Tripp of Australia and Oscar Sanchez of the United States. Zanardi will line up in the hand-cycling road race on Thursday, which he also won in London four years ago.On Sept. 15, 2001, Zanardi was nearing the end of the American Memorial 500 when his car was struck hard by another as he tried to merge back onto the track from pit row. Both of his legs were amputated above the knee.At the time, I was asked if I would ever step back in a race car, but what was very important for me was to go into the bathroom and pee on my own, but I could not do that. I had to be helped. That was my No. 1 priority, Zanardi told reporters after his race Wednesday. Day by day, I managed to regain control and strength, regain some confidence and concentrate on different things and here I am now.The 49-year-old enjoyed a successful open wheel racing career, winning CART championships in 1997 and 1998. A full season in F1 followed for Williams, though it failed to yield a single F1 points finish (when only the top six were rewarded). He had driven sporadically in F1 between 1991 and 1994, with his only points finish coming for Team Lotus at the 1993 Brazilian Grand Prix.?He returned to racing two years after his 2001 shunt, competing with prosthetic legs in the World Touring Car Championship for BMW between 2005 and 2009. He then switched sports, taking up hand-cycling -- which led to two gold medals at London 2012. He has also competing in various triathlons and an Iron Man event in his wheelchair.On top of the two golds he won at London 2012, Zanardi also has silver from the road team relay. He will have the chance to go one better in the team event later this week.Racing at the Olympic Stadium in Rio held a special meaning for Zanardi. Rio is where he secured his first pole position in 1996.When it was announced that the Olympic Stadium was going to be built there I thought, Wow, Ive always loved that place and been super fast there, Zanardi said. But for some reason or another I never managed to win a race, so maybe it is time to go back to Rio and win something and put that right.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Steve Young Jersey . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. Dwight Clark Jersey . 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DENVER -- His early career struggles behind him, Jon Gray is answering the call as the Colorado Rockies ace.Gray pitched seven strong innings, Nolan Arenado and Trevor Story hit two-run homers off relievers after starter Julio Teheran left because of an injury, and the Rockies beat the Atlanta Braves 4-3 on Friday night.Gray (6-4) shut down the Braves after allowing a run in the first inning, finishing with eight strikeouts in helping the Rockies hand the Braves their eighth straight loss at Coors Field.Hes really pitching like an ace and the futures bright with him on the mound, no doubt, Arenado said. His intensity has been up there. He expects to win. He expects to get guys out. He bears down and its been really impressive to watch him pitch lately.The Rockies first-round draft pick out of Oklahoma in 2013, Gray went without a win in his first 13 starts -- the longest streak at the start of a career in team history. Since then, though, he has gone 6-3 with a 3.77 ERA over 13 starts since earning his first victory May 13.His slider has been a difference-maker this year, Rockies manager Wat Weiss said. Its really sharp.Gray said he has become more sure of himsef on the mound, drawing on a mix of fastballs, curves, and sliders.My confidence is building and Im looking to build it more, he said.The Braves, meanwhile, were dealing with health questions about Teheran, who left the game after facing one batter in the fifth with what the team said was right lat tightness. His status was described as day to day.Lets hope its nothing big, Braves interim manager Brian Snitker said. He had a look on his face of, `Id like to try it. You want to keep going and then you end up screwing it up for weeks. They checked him out. Did everything, but felt theyd get a better read (Saturday).Teheran left after trying to run down Mark Reynolds infield hit, though the pitcher said he may have tweaked the muscle throwing a pitch in the previous inning.I was feeling a little discomfort and there was some pain, he said. I decided to come out of the game. I didnt want to make it worse.Teheran walked off the field under his own power and was relieved by Joel De La Cruz.Trailing 1-0 in the sixth, the Rockies went in front behind a four-run burst. DJ LeMahieu started the sixth with a walk and Arenado, coming off a scheduled rest day Thursday, drove a 2-2 offering from De La Cruz (0-3) into the bleachers in left-center field for his 24th home run.dddddddddddd.Dario Alvarez relieved and Carlos Gonzalez singled ahead of the home run by Story. The Rockies rookie has 24 homers.Jace Peterson connected for a two-run homer off Jason Motte in the eighth, pulling the Braves within a run.Carlos Estevez allowed a double to Adonis Garcia and walked Ender Inciarte to start the ninth. The runners advanced on a sacrifice and Erick Aybar walked to load the bases before Estevez recovered to get Chase dArnaud on a popup and strike out Peterson for his eighth save in 11 chances.Braves pitchers picked off two baserunners, costing the Rockies scoring opportunities.Charlie Blackmon singled to lead off the game, extending his hitting streak to 14 games. He stole second but Teheran got him out with a pickoff throw from the mound, allowing the Braves pitcher to withstand Arenados two-out triple unscathed by getting Gonzalez to ground out.In the fifth, De La Cruz, who had just relieved Teheran, made his first throw from the mound to first base and Freddie Freeman tagged a diving Mark Reynolds before he could get his hand back on the bag. Nick Hundley followed with a double and was stranded at third when Blackmon flied out to end the inning.TRAINERS ROOMBraves: RHP Shea Simmons, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery, was slated to make his first rehab appearance on Saturday for the Gulf Coast Rookie League Braves. Hes expected to throw one inning. ... RHP Dan Winkler, in the midst of a comeback from a right elbow fracture, threw on the side Friday and provided there are no setbacks, team officials could put together a minor league rehab schedule for him.Rockies: LF Gerardo Parra, sidelined since mid-June because of a sprained left ankle, is stepping up his conditioning workouts and could soon begin a rehab assignment. ... LHP Chris Rusin, placed on the 15-day DL in early June with a left shoulder strain, is nearing a return. Hes expected to be re-evaluated by training staff after a scheduled rehab assignment on Sunday.UP NEXTBraves: RHP Matt Wisler (4-9) has been hurt recently by the home run ball, especially on the road, where he has allowed at least two homers in each of his past three starts away from home.Rockies: LHP Tyler Anderson (2-3) has won two starts since dropping his first three career decisions. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '