Valverde moves up to second in UCI World Ranking

Alejandro Valverde wins Vuelta a Espana 2009, stage 21

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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Nigel Wynn
Former Associate Editor

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, n exceptional person to work with - his presence is sorely missed.