Pauwels, Vos top latest UCI 'cross rankings

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There's little change to the UCI cyclo-cross rankings after the second round of the UCI Cyclo-cross World Cup, which took place this past Sunday in Plzen, Czech Republic. Kevin Pauwels (Sunweb-Revor), who finished first in the elite men's rankings the previous season, remains atop the standings with 2,303 points. Compatriots Sven Nys (Landbouwkrediet-KDL) and world champion Niels Albert (BKCP-Powerplus) hold second and third respectively.

Albert, the winner in Plzen, closed the gap to Pauwels, third on the day, but still remains nearly 500 points behind overall while Nys trails by 233 points.

Former world champion Zdenek Stybar (Omega Pharma-Quickstep), now in fourth overall, begins his gradual slide down the rankings as the Czech rider is foregoing 'cross competition this winter. For the elite categories the standings are computed via a rolling, 12-month format and as each of his previous season's results are passed he'll continue to drop.

US champion Jeremy Powers (Rapha-Focus) remains the top North American on the rankings, holding steady in 10th overall.

The elite men's nation rankings remained unchanged as Belgium continues its reign with 6,189 points. The Czech Republic remains a distant second at 2,880 points followed by the Netherlands in third at 2,535 points.

While Marianne Vos (Rabobank Women Cycling) has yet to begin her 'cross season, she remains on top of the elite women's standings due to the rolling, 12-month format. US champion and current World Cup leader moved from third to second place and narrowed the gap to Vos. Following her victory in Plzen, Compton trails by 180 points as she's tallied 1,920 points to Vos's 2,100.

Previous number two Daphny van den Brand dropped to third and will continue to drop down the rankings as the Dutchwoman has retired from competition. British champion Helen Wyman (Kona) holds fourth at 1,532 points, followed by Belgian champion Sanne Cant (Veldritacademie Enertherm - BKCP) at 1,480 points.

The Netherlands leads the elite women's nation rankings with 5,260 points, followed by Great Britain (3,546) and the United States (3,269).

Mathieu van der Poel, the reigning Junior men's world champion and current World Cup leader, dominates his category's standings having accumulated 90 points thus far this season as he's heretofore undefeated. Unlike the elite categories, the Junior men start the season with a blank slate and accumulate points as the season progresses. Quinten Hermans (Belgium) holds second at 58 points, followed by Nicolas Cleppe (Belgium) in third.

US champion Logan Owen holds fifth with 25 points.

The Netherlands leads the Junior men's nation rankings with 117 points, nine points ahead of Belgium and 78 points up on third-placed Czech Republic.