The one noticeable change to the top of the International Cycling Union (UCI) World Ranking after the one counting event this week, the Clasica San Sebastian, is that the race winner Luis Leon Sanchez (Caisse d’Epargne) moves from fifth to fourth. Philippe Gilbert (OmegaPharma-Lotto), who is finding himself short of form after sitting out the Tour de France, continues to slip down the rankings to fifth.
Fifth place in San Sebastian means that Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) moves a little closer to rankings leader Alberto Contador (Astana); while second place in the race for Contador’s teammate Alexandre Vinokourov lifts him from tenth to sixth.
The big mover outside the top-ten is Ryder Hesjedal (Garmin-Transitions), whose strong summer sees his seventh place in the Tour de France followed by sixth in San Sebastian. Third place for Carlos Sastre (Cervélo TestTeam) sees the Spaniard rise from 61st in the rankings to 34th.
Teams and nations remain the same, but Astana and Spain extend their leads
Vinokourov’s second place sees Astana extend its lead in the team rankings over an almost static Saxo Bank. Katusha narrows the gap to the Danish team by virtue of Rodriguez’ performance but the other two teams in the top-five, Liquigas-Doimo and OmegaPharma-Lotto, are unchanged.
The almost complete dominance of Spanish riders in their home classic means that Spain increases its lead over Italy in the national rankings.
UCI World Ranking @ 2 August 2010
1. Alberto Contador (Spa) Team Astana 482pts
2. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Team Katusha 428
3. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 390
4. Luis Leo Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d’Epargne 363
5. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) OmegaPharma-Lotto 304
6. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Team Astana 283
7. Andy Schleck (Lux) Team Saxo Bank 258
8. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Team Saxo Bank 250
9. Samuel Sanchez (Spa) Euskaltel-Euskadi 239
10. Robert Gesink (Ned) Rabobank 239
11. Ryder Hesjedal (Can) Garmin-Transitions 217
Team Ranking
1. Team Astana (Kaz) 944pts
2. Team Saxo Bank (Den) 790
3. Team Katusha (Rus) 739
4. Liquigas-Doimo (Ita) 634
5. OmegaPharma-Lotto (Bel) 621
Country Ranking
1. Spain 1644
2. Italy 856
3. Belgium 849
4. Australia 723
5. United States 568