Pauwels, Compton maintain top positions in latest UCI 'cross rankings

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Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor) and Katie Compton (Rabobank-Giant Off-road Team) remain atop the latest cyclo-cross standings, released today by the UCI.

Despite having an uncharacteristic stint in the previous two weeks in which he's finished off the podium in all four races he contested, Pauwels nonetheless managed to keep his number one ranking with 2,270 points, a slender 10 points ahead of second-placed Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet).

The top-ten was largely unchanged with world champion Zdenek Stybar (Quick Step) retaining his third place position with 1,790 points while Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus), who returned to competition this past weekend after being sidelined by a broken wrist, stays in fourth at 1,574 points.

The only change in the elite men's top-10 was Klaas Vantornout (Sunbweb-Revor) moving up one position into sixth, while compatriot Bart Aernouts (Rabobank-Giant Off-road Team) dropped one position from sixth to seventh.

Jeremy Powers (Rapha Focus) remains the top-ranked North American rider at 11th overall with 924 points.

Belgium continues its dominance of the men's nations rankings with 6,104 points, 3,144 ahead of France and 3,314 in front of the Czech Republic.

US champion Katie Compton (Rabobank-Giant Off-road Team) continues her reign at the head of the elite women's rankings, the position she's held all season. Compton returned to Europe where she won both the Scheldecross and Vlaamse Druivenveldrit followed by a third place finish in the Namur, Belgium-hosted UCI World Cup round.

Reigning 'cross world champion Marianne Vos (Nederland Bloeit) moved into second place overall, 300 points down on Compton. Vos has been on a tear of late, winning both the Namur, Belgium World Cup as well as the GP Rouwmoer.

Sanne van Paassen (BrainWash) dropped from second to third with 1,530 points, 170 behind compatriot Vos.

Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team) and Helen Wyman (Kona) remain in fourth and fifth respectively with 1,450 and 1,423 points.

The Netherlands continues to lead the elite women's nations standings with 4,478 points, followed by the United States with 3,272 and Great Britain at 2,923.

Mathieu Van Der Poel continues to lead the junior men's rankings with 150 points. Frenchman Quentin Jauregui holds steady in second with 81 points, followed by Belgium's Wout Van Aert with 59.

American Andrew Dillman is the highest-placed North American junior in fifth place with 56 points.

The Netherlands remains in the lead of the junior men's nations rankings at 187 points, followed by France (166) and Belgium (157).