Vuelta a Espana winner Aljeandro Valverde has moved up to second place in the Union Cycliste Internationale's latest world ranking, published on Monday.
The Spanish Caisse d'Epargne rider sits just behind 2009 Tour de France winner Alberto Contador (Astana), who has 527 points to Valverde's 483. Former runner-up Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank) is now third with 334 points.
Britain's highest-ranked rider, Mark Cavendish, slips from fifth to seventh in the table with 304 points. Bradley Wiggins (Garmin-Slipstream) is in 38th position thanks largely to his fourth place overall at the Tour de France.
The UCI compile the ranking 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 garners you twice as many points as winning the Eneco Tour overall.
However, winning a stage of the Tour de France will gain you far less points (20) than winning a one-day classic such as Ghent-Wevelgem (80).
Astana currently lead the team ranking, with Spain unsurprisingly grabbing the top slot in the ranking by nation. Britain is in 10th spot.
UCI World Ranking: Top 10
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 527 points
2. Alejandro Valverde (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 483
3. Andy Schleck (Lux) Saxo Bank 334
4. Cadel Evans (Aus) Silence-Lotto 329
5. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Nor) Columbia-HTC 322
6. Roman Kreuziger (Cze) Liquigas 319
7. Mark Cavendish (GB) Columbia-HTC 304
8. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 277
9. Allan Davis (Aus) Quick Step 249
10. Damiano Cunego (Ita) Lampre 235
Other
38. Bradley Wiggins (GB) Garmin-Slipstream 131
97. David Millar (GB) Garmin-Slipstream 39
156. Ben Swift (GB) Katusha 11
205. Roger Hammond (GB) Cervelo 4
200. Jeremy Hunt (GB) Cervelo 2
Related links
Road World Championships 2009: Cycling Weekly's full coverage
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