Laura Van Gilder tops world rankings
Laura Van Gilder is on top of the cyclo-cross world.
The Union Cyclist Internationale (UCI) has released the cyclo-cross World Rankings list updated to include the results from the second World Cup, held last weekend in Plzen, the
Czech Republic. The United States remain in the lead in the national ranking and undefeated Czech rider Zdenek Stybar remains in the lead in the men’s classification. The major change is that Van Gilder has taken over the top spot in the women’s classification.
The number one spot had been held by American Katie Compton, who has also ridden an undefeated season but opted not to defend her victory in the first World Cup last weekend. Van
Gilder finished in third in both rounds of the US Grand Prix of Cyclo-cross in Louisville, Kentucky last weekend, behind Georgia Gould and Meredith Millar, who currently stand at 17th and 12th in the World Rankings respectively.
"Meredith and I have been duking it out and we have very different styles," said Van Gilder. "As we went over the hill she stalled out and it was pretty tough for me behind because
I was over geared. She had a slight gap and we went through the pit area which suits her. She is a strong racer and respect her ability."
Van Gilder leads with 410 points, while the next three highest ranked riders, Compton, Katerina Nash and World Cup number two winner Sanne Van Paassen, are tied at 400 points. Daphny
Van den Brand, who was the runner up in Sunday’s World Cup, rounds out the top-five with 380 points.
The men’s World Rankings aren’t so tightly clustered, with Stybar holding a 203 point lead over American runner-up Jeremy Powers, with 640 and 437 points respectively. Stybar has
taken seven consecutive wins, with most of his points coming from the first two rounds of the World Cup, each with 200 points. Powers earned 80 points over the weekend at the USGP. Frenchman Francis Mourey stands in third place with 406 points.
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