With last week’s Critérium du Dauphiné the only counting event, it’s not surprising that the big performers there are this week’s big movers in the International Cycling Union’s (UCI) flagship World Rankings. Alberto Contador (Astana), who won the prologue and the stage to Alpe d’Huez before going on to finish second overall, moves from 10th to 4th; while race winner Janez Brajkovic (RadioShack), who also won the stage 3 time trial, rises all the way from 50th to 11th.
Third place in the race sees 21-year-old Tejay Van Garderen (HTC-Columbia) enter the rankings in 42nd place.
None of the other riders in the top ten of the rankings have scored any points since they were last published. World champion Cadel Evans (BMC Racing) keeps the number one spot, which he has held since the retrospective removal of the suspended Alejandro Valverde. Philippe Gilbert (OmegaPharma-Lotto) remains in second place, with Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) still third.
Contador takes his team to the top and keeps his country there
Contador’s rise in the individual rankings also sees his Astana team jump to the top of the team competition from its previous third place. Lower down, Jurgen Van Den Broeck’s 4th place in the Dauphiné sees OmegaPharma-Lotto move up to fifth.
Spain in has continued to lead the national ranking, despite the removal of Valverde, and Contador’s Dauphiné result sees his country’s lead increase.
UCI World Ranking @ 14 June 2010
1. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing 384 pts
2. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) OmegaPharma-Lotto 304
3. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha 288
4. Alberto Contador (Spa) Team Astana 260
5. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne 232
6. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 216
7. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo 206
8. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli 203
9. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 200
10. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Astana 185
11. Janez Brajkovic (Slo) Team RadioShack 174
Team Ranking
1. Team Astana (Kaz) 624pts
2. Team Katusha (Rus) 575
3. Liquigas-Doimo (Ita) 566
4. Team HTC-Columbia (USA) 549
5. OmegaPharma-Lotto (Bel) 513
Country Ranking
1. Spain 1028pts
2. Italy 820
3. Belgium 745
4. Australia 691
5. United States 423