The Lynx were honored at the White House on Monday for th

Lewis Hamilton says he has been left bemused by criticism of his performances - and lifestyle - in 2016. After claiming his third pole in five races for Sundays Spanish GP, the Mercedes driver launched a robust defence of his form after suggestions from some quarters of the media that he may have allowed his focus to drop since winning a third world title last year.Nico Rosberg has won all four of this seasons opening races, but Hamiltons title defence has been afflicted by a series of reliability problems and first-corner collisions. Conclusions from Spanish GP qualifyingWhen you look at the season so far I had two poles and two [grand prix] where I didnt have a qualifying session because I had two failures, now another pole, and issues have got in the way [at other times], yet people would say Im not focused, Hamilton said. Lewis Hamilton takes pole position for the Spanish GP, edging team mate Nico Rosberg into second Its just a strange conclusion that a grown up would come to because its clearly not the case. Every time Ive been in the car and had the opportunity Ive performed.The first three races I didnt have a full car [after first-corner contact], so I did the best job with what I had and I think the last race [in Russia] was great considering where I came from [10th]. So its very early days to say those kind of things. My performance, Im very, very happy with it and today is another showing of that. I rest my case.Hamilton declined to comment on wild rumours he could even take a year out from F1 in 2017, simply stating: I generally let my results do the talking. Lewis on pole as Bulls shock Lewis Hamilton on pole in Barcelona The Britons results in the opening stages of the Barcelona weekend had suggested he might struggle to beat Rosberg to one of the most crucial poles of the whole season, before he spectacularly turned the situation around mid-way through qualifying.He topped Q2 by 0.6 seconds and then, despite making an error on his first flying lap in the final stage, beat Rosberg by nearly three tenths of a second to claim his 52nd career pole.Hamilton though reckons a front-row place would have been in jeopardy had mechanics not cured his set-up problems from Friday practice. Lewis Hamilton discusses a difficult 2016 season so far and his F1 future with Sky F1s Martin Brundle When you are doing practice it is about building blocks. Its one step at a time, he explained. P1 you dont want to make too many changes because track temperature is always different when you get to P2. When youre making those changes its like chasing your tail. Then you discover something and the next day its completely different.Youre kind of at a loss - you dont know what foot youre going to be starting on the next day. But I got in the car this morning with a good frame of mind, I know the engineers and mechanics worked hard overnight, and I got in and immediately the car was underneath me, which was a relief.If it hadnt been there is no way Id have been in the position Im in right now. I wouldnt have been on the front row and Id have potentially struggled to be on the second row. So thats a great feeling when you do muddle through the maze and come out the right end.On a track where 19 of the previous 25 races have been won from the front of the grid, Hamilton said pole was the only option to kick-start his attempts to reign in Rosberg.All I know is that its going to be hard work [in the race], he added. Nicos going to be fast. Tyres, strategy, all these different things are going to come into play. Watch the Spanish GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV. Also See: Qualifying report: Hamilton on pole Conclusions from qualifying Wholesale Jerseys Free Shipping . Vokoun departed practice on Saturday morning after discovering swelling in his thigh. He was taken to a local hospital where the clot was revealed. The club announced the surgery following a 5-3 exhibition loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets. Jerseys Authentic Cheap NFL . The 18-year-old American had five birdies in her bogey-free round for a 17-under total of 196. Lee held the overnight lead but mixed three birdies with two bogeys for a 70. http://www.wholesalestitchedchinajerseys.com/ . LOUIS -- Lance Lynn was one of the more enthusiastic participants as the St. Wholesale China Jerseys . Just not the game. Kyle Palmieri scored two straight goals in the third period to rally the Anaheim Ducks past the Philadelphia Flyers 3-2 on Tuesday night. Cheap NFL Jerseys China . -- The St. Johns IceCaps weathered a wild first period with the help of goaltender Jussi Olkinuora, before finding offensive inroads in the second. NEW YORK -- Move over Minnesota, theres a new No. 1 in the WNBA poll.The Los Angeles Sparks took over the top spot after splitting a pair of games with the Lynx last week.The Sparks garnered 13 of the 14 first place votes on Tuesday in The Associated Press WNBA power poll . Minnesota, which received the other vote, fell to second. The Lynx had been first in the poll the first seven weeks.I think these polls are good. Its sort of like the rankings in college, Sparks coach Brian Agler said. ... It starts debate and conversation about the league and teams and comparisons. Were one of several good teams in this league.The Sparks host Dallas on Tuesday night.---POWER POLL: Los Angeles and Minnesota flipped spots up top. Connecticut and San Antonio are tied at the bottom. A look at this weeks WNBA poll:1. Los Angeles (13-1): The Sparks have a busy week as the new No. 1 with three games.2. Minnesota (13-2): So much for the perfect season, the Lynx will try and end a two-game skid.3. New York (10-5): A difficult road trip looms with games in Minnesota, Phoenix and Los Angeles.4. Washington (8-8): Mystics continue to climb up standings thanks to play of Emma Meesseman and Tayler Hill.5. Atlanta (8-6): In midst of season-worst three-game skid. Life doesnt get easier with upcoming road trip.6. Dallas (7-8): The Wings have won four of their past five games.7. Phoenix (6-9): Mercury seem to have righted the ship with wins in Washington and New York. Look to keep it going at home.8. Chicago (6-8): Inconsistent effort on defensive end has led struggles for consistent in the win column.9. Indiana (6-9): Have dropped five of past seven games.10. Seattle (5-9): A quiet week with just one game which the Storm won in a rout. Look to build off that victory with two home games.dddddddddddd11. Connecticut (3-12): Traded Kelsey Bone to Phoenix on Saturday. Now they play against her on Wednesday.11. San Antonio (3-11): Good news was they were victorious on Becky Hammon jersey retirement night. Bad news is they have a three-game road trip now.---PLAYER OF THE WEEK: For the second consecutive week Tina Charles earned AP player of the week honors. She helped the Liberty to two wins this week by averaging 23.3 points, 10 rebounds, 6.3 assists. Other players receiving votes were Nneka Ogwumike and Kristi Toliver of Los Angeles. Breanna Stewart of Seattle and Diana Taurasi of Phoenix also garnered votes.---CELEBRATION: The Lynx were honored at the White House on Monday for their title last season. Its their third trip to visit the president in the past five years. Coach Cheryl Reeve son Oliver stole the show, getting a high-five from President Barack Obama.---NEAR TRIPLE DOUBLES: There have been five triple-doubles in the 20-year history of the WNBA. The league almost had two more in the last eight days. Charles fell one rebound short against Atlanta and Connecticuts guard Jasmine Thomas also missed by a board. She had 11 points and a career-high 10 assists, and almost had what would have been a career-high 10th rebound in the final seconds after Moriah Jefferson missed a free throw. She could not hang on to the ball, however, and settled for tying a career best for rebounds.---GAME OF THE WEEK: Liberty at Sparks, 5 p.m. ET on Sunday night. The Liberty are 0-3 against the Lynx and Sparks this season and 10-2 against the rest of the league. New York got blown out in their last trip to LA. ' ' '