Having just won the Tour de France, the biggest race of the UCI’s World Calendar, it’s hardly surprising that Alberto Contador (Astana) has leapt to the top of the World Rankings. “El Pistolero” was previously sitting in fourth place, thanks to his victory in Paris-Nice, his second place in the Critérium du Dauphine, and a strong Ardennes classics campaign; 200 points for the Tour win, plus 22 more for some stage placings and time in the yellow jersey, have catapulted him to a commanding lead at the top.
Contador’s compatriots Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) rises from third to second place thanks to his stage win and eighth place overall. World champion Cadel Evans (BMC racing) nets just 6 points for his day in the yellow jersey and slips from first to third; while Philippe Gilbert (OmegaPharma-Lotto), who sat out the race, drops from second to fourth.
The two biggest risers in the rankings are Andy Schleck (Saxo Bank), whose second place overall and time in yellow see him rise from 57th to sixth; and Samuel Sanchez (Euskaltel-Euskadi), whose fourth place lifts him from 28th to eighth.
Astana and Spain increase their leads
Tour performances also see changes to the Team and Country rankings, although there is no change to the top of either. Astana maintains it’s number 1 spot in the Team rankings thanks to Contador’s victory and, to a lesser extent, Alexandre Vinokourov’s stage win. Saxo Bank rises from fourth to second thanks to Schleck’s second place and Cancellara’s time trial wins; Rodriguez’ performance sees Katusha rising to third, with Liquigas-Doimo slipping to fourth.
Similarly, the performances of Contador and the other Spanish riders see Spain increase its lead in the Country rankings; it now has almost double the points of nearest rival Italy.
UCI World Ranking @ 26 July 2010
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Team Astana 482pts
2. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha 398
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 390
4. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) OmegaPharma-Lotto 304
5. Luis Leo Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne 283
6. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 258
7. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 250
8. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 233
9. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 225
10. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Astana 223
Team Ranking
1. Team Astana (Kaz) 884pts
2. Team Saxo Bank (Den) 788
3. Team Katusha (Rus) 709
4. Liquigas-Doimo (Ita) 634
5. OmegaPharma-Lotto (Bel) 621
Country Ranking
1. Spain 1528
2. Italy 856
3. Belgium 849
4. Australia 723
5. United States 568