It’s all change at the top of the UCI world sprint rankings this week: but the new World Number Ones probably aren’t the riders you are expecting – and you probably don’t know who they replaced.
The UCI consolidated its rankings into Sprint and Endurance at the start of 2025, replacing classifications for individual events. ‘At least’ once per week, typically on a Tuesday morning, the points scored at C2-level events or above are processed; and new rankings are published on the UCI’s website – if you know where to look.
Each rider’s score is based on their sprint and keirin performances over the past 12 months at Olympic, world, continental and national championships; their best result (singular) at the UCI Track World Cup; and their best 3 results at C1 and C2 level competitions. ‘Regional games’ are treated as C1 or C2, depending on the number of countries participating. Higher-level events naturally offer more ranking points.
This produces a ranking that depends more on the events that a rider attends, than their performances at those events. Some of the biggest names are very selective about the races they attend. Some riders shuttle between C1s and C2s, posting modest results but racking up the points.
This week, for example, there are new riders at the top of both the men’s and women’s rankings – both of whom competed in Hong Kong at the weekend, but neither of whom came home with a medal of any colour.
Leigh Hoffman had been top for almost six months, having won medals at national, continental and world level. But he is deposed this week by Nicholas Paul: PanAmerican sprint and keirin champion, Bolivar Games sprint champion… but only 10th in keirin at Hong Kong, and 4th in sprint.
Lea Sophie Friedrich took the women’s top spot in mid-March: her score relied heavily on C1 events in Germany last summer. But the new women’s world number one is Stefany Cuadrado – double gold at December’s Bolivar Games, double silver at February’s PanAms, but only 5th and 10th in Hong Kong.
In practice, the rankings don’t mean a lot for most riders. Those at the top of the sport have little to worry about, and little to gain; unlike in Japan, where ranking completes the line-up for the big-money Grand Prix each year.
Many of those nearer the bottom don’t even realise they have a world ranking. There are currently over 900 men and over 500 women ranked for sprint. Enter your national championships, or do a modest C2 at your local track, finish last – and you’ll be on the list.
For riders just outside elite level, it’s a mark of personal progress; and it can decide whether a country is represented at the Olympics or world championships.
