Sanchez clings on to UCI World Ranking lead
Fabian Cancellara and Alejandro Valverde have moved up in the Union Cycliste Internationale's latest World Ranking - a table based on performances in the top professional road races - published on Monday.
The new ranking takes into account results from Paris-Roubaix (April 11) and the Tour of the Basque Country (April 5-10).
Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d'Epargne) still clings on to a narrow lead at the head of the World Ranking with 222 points, amassed after his strong start to the season with third overall at Paris-Nice, second at the Tour Down Under and fourth at the Tour of Catalonia.
Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders winner Fabian Cancellara (Saxo Bank) leaps up to fifth in the ranking, with 200 points.
Another big mover is Spaniard Alejandro Valverde. His second place at the Tour of the Basque Country gives him 201 points. Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) also benefited from his performance in the Basque Country, adding to his points tally of 208, in third.
Boonen (Quick Step) strengthened his second spot in the ranking with fifth in Paris-Roubaix, giving him a total of 216 points after earlier placing second in the Tour of Flanders and Milan-San Remo.
Britain's highest ranked rider is currently Roger Hammond (Cervelo). Top ten places in the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix has moved the Cervelo rider up to 18th position. Mark Cavendish (HTC-Columbia) is the only other Brit in the table - his Tour of Catalonia stage win puts him in 74th place.
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Based on number of points amassed by its riders, the top nation is Spain, and top team is Caisse d'Epargne.
The World Ranking is compiled using a points system, with points awarded for one-day race, tour stage and stage race overall finishing positions for events in the UCI's World Calendar.
The amount of points awarded depends on the ranking of the event. For example, winning the Tour de France overall gives a rider twice as many points as winning the Eneco Tour overall.
A new World Ranking is published by the UCI on Monday following any counting event.
UCI World Ranking: April 12
1. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 222 points
2. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 216
3. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha 208
4. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 201
5. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Saxo Bank 200
6. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 130
7. Thor Hushovd (Nor) Cervelo 120
8. Andre Greipel (Ger) HTC-Columbia 119
9. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 116
10. Maxim Iglinsky (Kaz) Astana 116
British
18. Roger Hammond (GB) Cervelo 90
74. Mark Cavendish (GB) HTC-Columbia 6
Related links
Flanders stars move up in UCI World Ranking
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Nigel Wynn worked as associate editor on CyclingWeekly.com, he worked almost single-handedly on the Cycling Weekly website in its early days. His passion for cycling, his writing and his creativity, as well as his hard work and dedication, were the original driving force behind the website’s success. Without him, CyclingWeekly.com would certainly not exist on the size and scale that it enjoys today. Nigel sadly passed away, following a brave battle with a cancer-related illness, in 2018. He was a highly valued colleague, and more importantly, an exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.
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