Nys, Compton lead UCI 'cross rankings

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Three weeks into being sidelined by a knee injury, Zdenek Stybar, the reigning world champion, has slid from the top of the UCI's world rankings for cyclo-cross down to fourth. 

Belgian champion Sven Nys claimed the lead after taking wins in the Vlaamse Druivenveldrit and GP Rouwmoer and second in the World Cup in Kalmthout.

Niels Albert (BKCP Powerplus) climbed up into second despite failing to make the podium since the last rankings, while Kevin Pauwels (Telenet-Fidea) inched closer to Albert's tally with three podiums since the December 7 rankings.

With a big block of points-heavy races coming, will Stybar make his return in Sunday's Zolder World Cup or Monday's Superprestige in Diegem, or will he continue to slide down the ladder as the rest of the riders gather points?

"I will decide at the last minute," he told Sporza. Currently in the Czech Republic for the Christmas holiday, Stybar said he would return to Belgium on Saturday but would not say if he will race or not.

Americans Jeremy Powers and Tim Johnson (Cannondale-Cyclocrossworld) remained in the top 10 despite the UCI delaying tallying up the points from the US national championships until the other nations hold their championships in January.

In the elite women's field, Kalmthout World Cup winner Katie Compton moved back into the rankings lead, stepping over Sanne Van Paassen, while the Dutch rider moved up into second ahead of former rankings leader Daphny Van Den Brand.

World champion Marianne Vos debuted on the list at 31st after taking third in her first appearance on the circuit this year in Kalmthout.

Laurens Sweeck leads the men's junior rankings over German Yannick Eckmann and Lars Forster.

Belgium topped the nations rankings for elite, U23 and junior men while the Netherlands remained the top nation in the women's field.

UCI Cyclo-cross rankings as of December 21, 2010