Nys, Compton remain atop UCI 'cross standings

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The UCI released its second cyclo-cross rankings of the season on Tuesday, following a weekend in which all categories - elite men, elite women, under 23 men and junior men - raced a World Cup round in Tabor, Czech Republic.

While Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet) relinquished his World Cup lead to compatriot Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor), the 35-year-old Belgian continues to lead the UCI rankings with 2,170 points, 120 more than second-placed Pauwels. The top six overall remained unchanged, with Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus), Zdenek Stybar (Quick Step), Francis Mourey (FDJ) and Klaas Vantornout (Sunweb-Revor) holding third through sixth respectively. Bart Wellens (Telenet-Fidea) moved into seventh position, flip-flopping with Bart Aernouts (Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team), who now holds eighth. Dutchman Lars van der Haar (Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team) remains in ninth while Tom Meeusen (Telent-Fidea) makes his first appearance in the top-10 this season at 10th place.

With seven riders ranked in the top-10, it's no surprise that Belgium continues to dominate the men's national standings with 6,124 points. France remains a distant second with 2,858 points, followed by the Czech Republic in third with 2,688 points.

For the elite women, Katie Compton (Rabobank-Giant Off-Road Team) continues her reign atop the standings with 1,670 points, despite skipping the Tabor, Czech Republic round of the World Cup. Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team), the winner in Tabor, moves into second overall, 120 points down on Compton, while Sanne van Paassen (Brainwash) drops one spot to third, tied on points with Nash. British champion Helen Wyman (Kona) dropped one position to fourth with 1,442 points.

The Netherlands continues to lead the women's nations ranking with 3,898 points. The Czech Republic and United States remain in second and third with 2,934 and 2798 points respectively.

The junior men's ranking saw the biggest shuffle as the riders contested their first World Cup round of the season in Tabor, Czech Republic. Unlike the elite categories which utilize a rolling, 365-day points tallying formula, the junior riders start the season with a clean slate and accumulate points as the season progresses. As a result, it comes as no surprise that those riders who dominated the World Cup round would shake-up the season rankings.

Dutchman Mathieu Van Der Poel, the winner in Tabor, now tops the standings with 44 points while runner-up in the World Cup opener, Quentin Jauregui (France), jumped from fifth to second overall with 32 points. Wout Van Aert (Belgium) climbed one position to third, with 18 points, while compatriot Daan Hoeyberghs leapt from 17th to fourth with 17 points.

Previous leader Andrew Dillman (United States) didn't contest the World Cup opener and now holds seventh overall with 16 points.