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LATEST NEWS: VALVERDE STILL ON TOP
Road Bike Action
May 31, 2010
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(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
Spain’s Alejandro Valverde (Caisse d’Epargne) remains the world’s top-ranked rider following the completion of the Tours of Italy and California. However, little else remains the same with the new rankings released today by the UCI. Cadel Evans has risen to second thanks to his Giro performance, overtaking Philippe Gilbert. Giro winner Ivan Basso is the big mover, jumping from virtual anonymity to seventh. Another Giro star, Michele Scarponi rose to eighth from 24th, while Alexander Vinokourov jumped from 18th to 10th.
Caisse d’Epargne is still the world’s top-ranked team, but Liquigas-Doimo is second thanks to the performances of Basso and teammate Vincenzo Nibali.
Spain remains the top power among countries in cycling, but Italy has overtaken Belgium for the number-two spot.
Individual Rankings
1. Alejandro Valverde Caisse d’Epargne 392
2. Cadel Evans BMC 374
3. Philippe Gilbert Omega Pharma-Lotto 294
4. Joaquin Rodriguez Katusha 268
5. Luis Leon Sanchez Caisse d’Epargne 222
6. Tom Boonen Quick Step 216
7. Ivan Basso Liquigas-Doimo 206
8. Michele Scarponi Androni Giocattoli 203
9. Fabian Cancellara Saxo Bank 200
10. Alexander Vinokourov Astana 185
11. Alberto Contador Astana 161
12. Chris Horner Radio Shack 144
13. Vincenzo Nibali Liquigas-Doimo 144
14. Andre Greipel HTC-Columbia 137
15. David Arroyo Caisse d’Epargne 132
16. Stefano Garzelli Acqua & Sapone 127
17. Thor Hushovd Cervelo Test Team 120
18. Marco Pinotti HTC-Columbia 120
19. Maxim Iglinsky Astana 117
20. Oscar Freire Rabobank 112
Phinney Wins Roubaix Again
Taylor Phinney of the Trek-Livestrong team has taken his second consecutive edition of the U-23 Paris-Roubaix. With 50km to go in the race, Phinney made a hard effort and bridged to the day’s early breakaway which contained teammate Ben King. Once there, King towed the break while the main field began to splinter.
The breakaway broke up, with Phinney entering the velodrome with Jens Debousschere of PWS. On the final lap Fabian Taillefer of Ver rejoined them and set the stage for a three-up sprint. Phinney led out the sprint powerfully and held the other two off with a half-bike-length victory. Teammate King came in sixth at 44-seconds.
Phinney is not the only rider in the 44-year history of the event to win it twice.
Sastre in the Giro's final time trial(Photo: Yuzuru Sunada)
Sastre’s Giro Hopes Dashed by Back Injury
Carlos Sastre has revealed that he was unable to capitalize on the time gains he made thanks to his stage 11 breakaway due to a back injury he suffered. Sastre crashed several times during the Giro and in one of the crashes he injured his back. As a result he was unable to ride with his full power but said he was glad the injury was not more severe. Had the crash been any worse, he believes he would have had to retire from the Giro.
Sastre is unsure if he’ll ride the Tour de France. He says he will only contest the Tour if he is fully recovered.
Devolder Wins Belgium
Stijn Devolder (Quick Step) has won the Tour of Belgium for the second time in his career. Devolder’s win came following a second place performance in the race’s long road race on Saturday and a third place in Sunday’s time trial.
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