Nys extends lead in cyclo-cross rankings

By Brecht Decaluwé

The new UCI-rankings show little movement at the top. Sven Nys (Rabobank) remains the untroubled leader as he extended his lead on world champion Erwin Vervecken (Fidea) up to 309 points (over 195 points last week). Nys won the Koppenbergcross, the Witloof Veldrit and finished second at the world cup in Treviso. Bart Wellens (Fidea) completes the Belgian top-three.

The new number four is the recent winner of the world cup event in Treviso, Francis Mourey (Française des Jeux). The Frenchman jumped over two Rabobank riders: Sven Vanthourenhout and Dutch champion Gerben De Knegt.

New in the top-10 is the U23 world champion, Czech Zdenek Stybar (Fidea), who won the U23 race in Treviso and the next day beat Enrico Franzoi in a smaller race; he gained one place in the UCI-rankings. Stybar's compatriot Kamil Ausbuher (Budweiser) tumbled out of the top-10, losing no less than four positions. The young Swiss rider Simon Zahner rode very strong last week, surprising many by finishing fourth in Treviso and second in Schmerikon; he gained 12 places, and is now 12th overall.

Best American rider is 25 year-old Ryan Trebon (Kona), who lost four positions and lies currently 20th. His loss is partly due to his failure to win the race in Boulder (due to mechanical problems), and partly because there weren't that many races in the USA where UCI-points were at stake. Tim Johnson (Cannondale/Cyclocrossworld.com) still trails the Kona-rider by one position (21st).

In the nations rankings, Belgium is comfortably leading the Czech Republic with more than twice their points. France is now third before the Netherlands. Switzerland overtook the USA for fifth place, and Italy concludes the top-seven.

Top 25 rankings