Cadel Evans (BMC Racing Team) has moved into the lead in the Union Cycliste Internationale's latest World Ranking, published on Monday, after a strong performance at the Giro d'Italia and the suspension of former number one, Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d'Epargne).
The Court for Arbitration in Sport (CAS) announced on Monday that Valverde has been banned from competing for two years for the use of banned blood-booster EPO, back-dated to 1 January 2010, rendering all of his results void for this season.
Valverde had topped the previous edition of the UCI's World Ranking - a table based on performances in the top professional road races - after winning the Tour of Romandy, placing second at Paris-Nice and coming third at Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
Current road race world champion Evans placed fifth overall at the Giro d'Italia, which finished on Sunday in Verona. Along the way, the Australian won stage seven of the race. Evans also accrued World Ranking points after winning Fleche Wallonne and placing highly in the Tour Down Under (sixth), Tirreno-Adriatico (third) and Liege-Bastogne-Liege (fifth).
Amstel Gold Race winner Philippe Gilbert (Omega Pharma-Lotto) is now in second place in the ranking, with Joaquin Rodriguez (Katusha) in third.
Giro winner Ivan Basso (Liquigas-Doimo) enters the ranking in sixth place.
The top British rider in the current ranking is Roger Hammond (32nd) after his solid classics campaign. Brits Bradley Wiggins, Adam Blythe and Steve Cummings enter the ranking after their performances in the Giro d'Italia. Wiggins won the opening time trial stage, and both Blythe and Cummings placed fifth in stage finishes during the race.
The World Ranking is compiled 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 gives a rider twice as many points as winning the Eneco Tour overall.
The UCI are currently recalculating the World Ranking after Valverde's ban stripped him of his points - all points allocations will be recalculated with the Spaniard's name removed from the result sheet of counting events.
UCI World Ranking, 31 May 2010
1. Cadel Evans (Aus) BMC Racing Team 384 points
2. Philippe Gilbert (Bel) Omega Pharma-Lotto 304
3. Joaquin Rodriguez (Spa) Katusha 288
4. Luis Leon Sanchez (Spa) Caisse d'Epargne 232
5. Tom Boonen (Bel) Quick Step 216
6. Ivan Basso (Ita) Liquigas-Doimo 206
7. Michele Scarponi (Ita) Androni Giocattoli 203
8. Fabian Cancellara (Swi) Saxo Bank 200
9. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz) Astana 185
10. Alberto Contador (Spa) Astana 167
Other
32. Roger Hammond (GB) Cervelo 90
76. Bradley Wiggins (GB) Team Sky 18
92. Mark Cavendish (GB) HTC-Columbia 12
150. Steve Cummings (GB) Team Sky 1
163. Adam Blythe (GB) Omega Pharam-Lotto 1
Related links
Valverde suspended for two years
2010 UCI World Calendar
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