Stybar, Van den Brand lead UCI 'cross rankings

World champion Zdenek Stybar continued to hold the UCI rankings lead heading into December, but a series of off days pushed Belgian champion Sven Nys closer to the top spot.

Nys claimed two Superprestige victories since the last rankings were released on November 9, one in Gavere and one in Hamme-Zogge.

After starting the season with seven straight wins, Stybar's best result in November was a second place at the Koksijde World Cup. Since the last rankings he's finished off the podium three times.

Niels Albert jetted up to third on strength of his victory in Koksijde and third place finishes in Gavere and Hamme-Zogge. His compatriot Kevin Pauwels dropped to fourth despite taking the victory in the GVA Trophy Hasselt, as that race was a C2 and worth fewer points than the Superprestige events.

Tim Johnson remained the top American on the rankings, but fell to seventh from fifth after failing to crack the top 10 in his European campaign.

On the women's side, Dutchwoman Daphny Van den Brand maintained her lead, while American Katie Compton climbed into second thanks to her victory in the Koksijde World Cup. She is tied on points with Sanne Van Paassen, while Briton Helen Wyman lies fourth.

The junior men had their first World Cup of the season in Koksijde, and Belgian Laurens Sweeck, who claimed the win, leads the UCI rankings over European champion Lars Forster of Switzerland. German/American Yannick Eckmann lies in third.

Belgium continues to show its dominance in cyclo-cross by leading the elite men, U23 and junior rankings, while the Netherlands stays as the top country in the elite women's classification.

UCI Cyclo-cross Rankings as of November 30, 2010