The UCI released rankings this morning ahead of the World Cup race in Zolder this Saturday.
For the Elite Men, Americans Jeremy Powers, Stephen Hyde and Jamey Driscoll are slotted into the top 20 in seventh, 16th and 20th positions, respectively. Curtis White, Jonathan Page, Logan Owen and Cameron Dodge are all in the top 50 as well, making them at least eligible for the Men's Elite race this weekend.
The UCI has released rider rankings ahead of the 2015 Zolder World Cup. But there may be some controversy.
For the women, it seems there is a bit of controversy.
We've heard reports that due to a couple of factors, including possibly an error in calculating one rider's points and the subsequent correction, as well as some concern over the existing governing rules, that some, including at least the United States' own Elle Anderson and Arley Kemmerer, are out of the top 50 and will thus be unable to start at Zolder. For other racers, they had thought they were out of the top 50 and the recalculation made them eligible to race the post-Christmas World Cup, but alas they won't be there having not made the trip thinking they would be ineligible to take the start.
The American Elite Women who are in the top 50 are Katie Compton (8th), Kaitlin Antonneau (9th), Crystal Anthony (14th), Amanda Miller (18th), Ellen Noble (27th), Meredith Miller (30th), Rachel Lloyd (33rd), Emma White (34th), Courtenay McFadden (38th), Kathryn Cumming (43rd), Georgia Gould (47th), and Amanda Nauman (48th).
Anderson for her part is now ranked 53rd. She had skipped last weekend's World Cup race in Namur, reportedly due to an injury. We heard from Anderson earlier this week as part of our rider diary series from the USA Cycling Cyclocross Development Camp. As for Kemmerer, she's now ranked a heart breaking 51st.
We've reached out to a few folks for some explanation and additional insight. Among those were Helen Wyman. Wyman's take on the matter was that:"[t]he regulations for this season are clear, and the publication of the ranking is weekly, and a known process."
"Both riders (Ed Note: the American Elite Women)" Wyman continued "travelled to Europe independently, and with different racing schedules.... I assume both would of ideally included both World Cups.... During that time [Elle] has also lost UCI points from the same time last year and her ranking fell towards the key place of 50. I'm sure with this situation and experience in hand, the UCI commission will discuss this in February."
For her part, Wyman said, "I will certainly raise the question. I understand people's comments about the cost of travel etc, but the rules are known. I will certainly discuss the 'safety net' possibility for back to back World Cups. This could happen in January also, and in the future in [the]USA or other countries."
I'm sure with this situation and experience in hand, the UCI commission will discuss this in February. I will certainly raise the question. I understand people's comments about the cost of travel etc, but the rules are known. I will certainly discuss the 'safety net' possibility for back to back World Cups. This could happen in January also, and in the future in [the] USA or other countries.
Wyman also added that, "...the rolling ranking is there to provide riders with an opportunity, and a known target. The weekly updates have kept a far fresher and correct ranking system this season in my opinion. Over this very same period, Kathryn Cumming and Amanda Nauman have moved into the top 50 and are therefor eligible for a World Cup place. [B]efore this top 50 rule was introduced, only 8 riders from each country could ride, and this wasn't necessarily based on ranking points. The USA are still eligible for 12 riders to start this weekend's world cup, with those 12 rider ranked in the top 50," she concluded.
Since we're not sure how many riders might be impacted, scroll through to see the current top 60 Elite Women as well as the top 50 Elite Men.
And stay tuned for any additional developments.
