Cycling: PureBlack rise in rankings

PureBlack Racing's Mike Northey is up to third and his cycling team lies fourth in the United States National Racing Calendar rankings after the latest race on the schedule.

Auckland's Northey won the Tour de Grove's criterium in St Louis, Missouri on Sunday - the first win in the United States for the 21-year-old. Spain's Francisco Mancebo has a commanding lead in the standings after winning three races this season.

Hastings cyclist Jeremy Vennell, currently riding in the Tour of California for his Bissell team, lies 12th in the standings after finishing second in the Joe Martin Stage Race, while Nelson's George Bennett, who won the Tour of Wellington earlier this year and rides for Lance Armstrong's Trek Livestrong under-23 team, is 20th.

PureBlack Racing, who are in their debut season in the United States, also have Roman van Uden (24th) and Glen Chadwick (29th) in the top 30.

Selected NRC rankings (NZ unless stated):

Individual: Francisco Mancebo (ESP, Realcyclist.com) 575 points 1, Benjamin Jacques-Maynes (USA, Bissell) 222 2, Michael Northey (PureBlack Racing) 194 3. Also: Jeremy Vennell (Bissell) 133 12, George Bennett (Trek Livestrong) 94 20, Roman van Uden (PureBlack Racing) 77 24, Glen Chadwick (PureBlack Racing) 70 29, Louis Crosby (PureBlack Racing 45 39, patrick Bevin (Bissell) 39 40.

Teams: Realcyclist.com 802 points 1, Bissell 795 2, Chipotle Development 479 3, PureBlack Racing 420 4.

- NZPA