Mark Cavendish has moved up to eighth position in the latest edition of the UCI World Ranking, published on Monday.
The British Dimension Data sprinter secured the overall victory in the Tour of Qatar on Friday, having won the opening stage and placed seventh in the crucial mid-race individual time trial.
Cavendish now sits two places behind fellow Manxman Peter Kennaugh (Sky) in the ranking, with Australian Simon Gerrans (Orica-GreenEdge) retaining his top spot after winning the Tour Down Under. Prior to his Qatar win, Cavendish was 220th in the ranking.
>>> Mark Cavendish wins the 2016 Tour of Qatar
Also moving into the top 10 of the World Ranking is Leigh Howard (IAM Cycling), reaching seventh after his win in the shortened Clasica de Almeria on Sunday.
When Kennaugh and Cavendish's points are added to those of other British riders – including Herald Sun Tour winner Chris Froome (Sky) – Great Britain moves up to fifth in the Nation ranking. Australia leads, with Italy and France in second and third respectively. [If the Isle of Man was its own nation in the ranking, then Kennaugh and Cavendish's points tallied together would put it ahead of Switzerland, the Netherlands, Russia and many others.]
The UCI introduced the World Ranking at the start of the 2016 season. Riders' positions are based on results in all races in the UCI calendar, including those in the WorldTour and continental calendars.
Watch: Pro bikes - Fabian Cancellara's Trek Madone 9 series
The ranking is published every Monday to take into account the previous week's races, and will be published on a rolling basis so will not be fully reflective until the start of 2017. The UCI also publishes a separate WorldTour ranking.
Next Monday's ranking will take into account the results from the Tour of Oman, Ruta del Sol, Volta ao Algarve and the Tour du Haut Var among other events.
>>> Mark Cavendish takes time out on Valentine’s Day to help London cyclist fix a puncture
UCI World Ranking (as at February 8 2016)
1. Simon Gerrans (Aus) Orica-GreenEdge 755 points
2. Richie Porte (Aus) BMC Racing 485 points
3. Jay McCarthy (Aus) Tinkoff 370 points
4. Sergio Henao (Col) Team Sky 350 points
5. King Lok Cheung (HKg) 320 points
6. Peter Kennaugh (GBr) Team Sky 316 points
7. Leigh Howard (Aus) IAM Cycling 275 points
8. Mark Cavendish (GBr) Dimension Data 270 points
9. Andrea Fedi (Ita) SouthEast 260 points
10. André Greipel (Ger) Lotto-Soudal 250 points
-
'I hope he doesn't think I'm some fanatic weirdo': Man fulfils promise to get Mark Cavendish tattoo if he won another racePaul James has paid homage to the sprinter's comeback with a tattoo of the Tour de France green jersey winner
By Jonny Long •
-
Mark Cavendish unsure on Tour de France 2022 route: 'There aren’t as many chances for the fast men'
The joint-record Tour de France stage winner would grab his 35th with victory in 2022, surpassing Eddy Merckx
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
UCI partners with FIFA and other organisations to evacuate 165 Afghan refugees
The operation was helped by owner of Israel Start-Up Nation, Sylvan Adams
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
UCI announces gravel World Championships, new cyclocross format and 'the development of snow bike'
Gravel cycling has gained huge popularity in the last few years with the UCI hoping to harness that for new races
By Tim Bonville-Ginn •
-
Mark Cavendish spotted cycling in central London
Cavendish will race in the World Championships on Sunday 26 September, but needed to get some miles in his legs in London
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Mark Cavendish: ‘The Tour de France is not a bike race, it’s a world sporting event’
The British sprinter shares his thoughts on the pressure of the Tour
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mark Cavendish and Remco Evenepoel return to racing
Cavendish comes from winning the green jersey in the Tour de France, while Remco Evenepoel returns from the Olypmics
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Mark Cavendish joint favourite to win Sports Personality of the Year
The British sprinter made a historic comeback at the 2021 Tour de France
By Alex Ballinger •
