Nation ranking: Colombia and Australia profit from productive Giro
It will be little surprise to know Spain, given the form this season of Alberto Contador (Tinkoff-Saxo), Alejandro Valverde (Movistar) et al, lead the way in the nation ranking.
With the World Championships to be held this year in Spain, the hosts will be spoiled for choice when it comes to selecting their final nine-man squad having amassed 805 points this year from their top five.
The Giro d’Italia, however, allowed Colombia and Australia to climb the rankings – the latter continuing a strong season which began in their home country at the Tour Down Under.
Nairo Quintana’s victory, Rigoberto Uran’s second place and four stage victories between them and Julian Arredondo (Trek Factory Racing) means Colombia are now second overall.
Australia, meanwhile, who saw Cadel Evans claim a top-ten spot overall, and Michael Matthews and Michael Rogers collect stage wins.
Simon Gerrans’ Liege-Bastogne-Liege win, and the return from injury of Richie Porte means there is plenty of reason to be cheerful for the men from down under.
Great Britain, meanwhile, were boosted by Chris Froome’s Tour de Romandie win and will be looking to Froome and Sir Bradley Wiggins – whose Tour of California success was not a WorldTour race – to lead them to more success in France and Switzerland this month.
UCI WorldTour 2014: nation ranking
1) Spain – 805
2) Colombia – 684
3) Australia – 611
4) Belgium – 567
5) Italy – 555
6) Netherlands – 452
7) France – 445
8) Great Britain – 433
9) Poland – 324
10) Germany – 278
