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Small loses arbitration case for spot on US cycling team

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Carmen Small had her Olympic dreams crushed for the second time in less than a month.

The veteran cyclist lost her arbitration case Wednesday for a spot on the four-member U.S. team headed for Rio, and will be forced to watch from the sidelines as the powerhouse women's squad rides for gold.

Megan Guarnier was the only rider who earned a guaranteed spot on the squad by virtue of her bronze medal at the world championships. That left three discretionary picks that went to two-time and reigning Olympic time trial gold medalist Kristin Armstrong, veteran Evelyn Stevens and climbing specialist Mara Abbott. Amber Neben also lost her arbitration case.

The 36-year-old Small had argued that her handy victories over Armstrong and Stevens at the time trial national championships this year should have helped her earn a spot. She also highlighted the fact that she has been part of two world champion time trial teams and is a former world time trial bronze medalist.