Mark Cavendish hits top 10 of UCI World Ranking

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.

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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.

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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.

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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