EXCITED: Cherie Pridham Explains Why Wout van Aert is Ranked 14th in the UCI World Ranking…

EXCITED: Cherie Pridham Explains Why Wout van Aert is Ranked 14th in the UCI World Ranking…

 

 

Wout van Aert, one of cycling’s most versatile and accomplished riders, currently finds himself in the 14th position in the UCI World Ranking. Despite his remarkable achievements on both road and cyclocross circuits, his relatively low ranking has raised eyebrows. However, Cherie Pridham, one of the sport’s leading experts and director of a prominent cycling team, recently shed light on the factors influencing van Aert’s standing in the rankings.

 

Pridham, who has closely observed Wout van Aert’s career, took to social media to clarify the complex nature of the UCI World Rankings and the reasons behind van Aert’s 14th place. As one of the most decorated riders of his generation, it may seem perplexing at first that van Aert, who has conquered major events such as the Tour de France, World Championships, and cyclocross world titles, is not ranked higher.

 

According to Pridham, the UCI World Rankings are not purely based on a rider’s overall victories or talent. Instead, they are determined by an accumulation of points earned across different events over a rolling 12-month period. The key to understanding why van Aert is currently 14th lies in the way his points have been distributed across the year.

 

“Van Aert is a rider who competes in multiple disciplines—road racing, cyclocross, and even the classics—so the way his points are earned is more spread out,” Pridham explained. “While this makes him incredibly versatile and valuable to his team, it also means that his points aren’t as concentrated in one area, like those of riders who focus primarily on Grand Tours or one-day races.”

 

Van Aert’s strength lies in his ability to excel in various cycling formats. In the road season, he earned points for his strong performances in races like Milan-San Remo, the Tour de France, and the World Championships. However, these results were not enough to keep him at the top of the rankings due to his relative absence in other UCI points-heavy races, particularly the Grand Tours.

 

In contrast, riders who participate exclusively in the Grand Tours like the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, or Vuelta a España can often dominate the rankings by consistently placing highly over the course of those multi-stage events. For instance, a rider who performs well in all three Grand Tours can amass a large number of points, often pushing them into the top 10.

 

Pridham also emphasized the time and recovery required for van Aert’s participation in multiple disciplines, which sometimes limits his appearances in key UCI points events. “Cyclocross is a brutal sport,” Pridham added. “And while it’s an area where Wout excels, the season is taxing, and transitioning between it and road racing isn’t always seamless. This can sometimes affect his ability to dominate in the UCI events that offer the most ranking points.”

 

Furthermore, van Aert’s competition at the top of the rankings is fierce. Riders like Tadej Pogačar, Remco Evenepoel, and Mathieu van der Poel, all of whom have had stellar seasons in major events, have amassed a high number of points through consistent performances in high-profile races. The 14th position for van Aert, then, is less a sign of underperformance and more a reflection of the level of competition he faces and the way his points are spread across different types of racing.

 

While van Aert’s 14th position might seem like a slight dip compared to where many fans expect him to be, Cherie Pridham is quick to point out that rankings alone do not define a rider’s legacy or ability. “What matters more is the impact a rider has in each race they participate in. Wout van Aert has been a dominant force across disciplines, and that versatility is priceless.”

 

Ultimately, Pridham believes van Aert’s ranking will fluctuate as the year progresses, with the potential for him to move up as he continues to compete in his key events. While the UCI World Ranking system provides an interesting snapshot of a rider’s standing in the global pecking order, it does not always capture the true depth of a rider’s influence on the sport. Wout van Aert’s remarkable skill set and his performances in both road racing and cyclocross make him one of the most exciting and respected cyclists in the world, regardless of his current rank.