Mark Cavendish pushed his way up the charts after his win in the World Championships on Sunday in Copenhagen. He jumped 13 positions, to ninth in CQ Ranking and was voted Britain's best ever cyclist by Cycling Weekly's web readers.
CQ Ranking classifies riders based on their results in the past 12 months, similar to how the Union Cycliste International (UCI) used to rank riders. Based on his points scored over the last year, since the Geelong Worlds, HTC-Highroad's Cavendish jumped from 22nd to ninth.
Bradley Wiggins (Sky) ranks 12th and David Millar (Garmin-Cervélo) ranks 52nd.
Belgian one-day star, Philippe Gilbert (OmegaPharma-Lotto) leads the ranking. Alberto Contador (Saxo Bank-SunGard) and Cadel Evans (BMC Racing), respectively, trail behind Gilbert.
Cavendish gained 65 per cent of Cycling Weekly's 'yes' vote when it asked web readers if he is Britain's best ever pro cyclist. 24 per cent voted 'no, not right now, but he might be one day,' and nine per cent voted 'no.'
Team GreenEdge meet
Team GreenEdge met this week following the World Championships at its European headquarters in Gavirate, Italy.
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"The riders," explained sports director, Matt White, "will be fitted for their jerseys and bikes."
The Australian team officially numbers 24 riders thanks to recent additions Jens Keukeleire (from Cofidis), Leigh Howard (HTC-Highroad), Wesley Sulzberger (FDJ), Allan Davis (Astana), Brett Lancaster (Garmin-Cervélo) and Mitchell Docker (Skil-Shimano).
GreenEdge announced yesterday that Leopard-Trek's former general manager, Brian Nygaard will join as Communications Director.
"I'm thrilled," Nygaard said in a press release, "to be a part of GreenEdge."
He served as a press officer for Saxo Bank/CSC and Sky prior to Leopard. He and Leopard ended their contract agreement immediately after the team's owner, Flavio Becca announced on September 5 his team would be merging team RadioShack for next year.
RadioShack-Nissan-Trek name too long
Team Leopard-Trek is unable to race as RadioShack-Nissan-Trek next season according to UCI rules. French newspaper, L'Equipe reported that rules only allow for two sponsors in the team name.
The rule is matter of convenience since long names hinder readability. Leopard's owner, Flavio Becca may announce a change, but there is no set date.
"Further details and specifics," read a press release at the start of this month, "will be released by September 15th."
The date passed without any further press releases by the teams RadioShack and Leopard on the merger.
Leopard, however, announced that Saxo Bank's Luxemburger, Laurent Didier will join his home team and Jens Voigt renewed.
Pozzato joins second division team
Filippo Pozzato will join a second division for the first time since 2002, when he was part of Mapei's development programme. The Italian moves from Russia's Katusha to home team, Farnese Vini.
"It's humble pie," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I want to be a cyclist, 100 per cent, and return to win."
Pozzato won the 2006 Milan-San Remo and two stages at the Tour de France. His last win was a stage at last year's Giro d'Italia.
Lombardy changes course
The Tour of Lombardy will change its course and finish in Lecco for the first time in its 100-plus-year history. The one-day Italian race, this year on October 14, will continue to climb the Madonna di Ghisallo, but also include Valcava, Colma di Sormano and Villa Vergano.
Valcava was included from 1986 to 1990 and cracked many, including Laurent Fignon. The 11.8-kilometre climb, especially the final two kilometres, is harder than the more famous Ghisallo. Team Lampre posted its reconnaissance video last week: http://www.teamlampre.it/videos/
Villa Vergano leaves nine kilometres to race to Lecco in the 241-kilometre race. The organiser, RCS Sport agreed two a two-year deal with the city of Lecco on Lake Como.
Gilbert won the race last year with a solo attack off the wet descent of Sormano.
Related links
British news round-up: Cyclo-cross success for Wyman and Field in USA
2012 Giro d'Italia to climb into Grand Tour history
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Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
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