Alejandro Valverde tops rankings as doping verdict nears

Alejandro Valverde has taken the top spot in cycling’s world rankings as he waits for a court ruling that could ban him from racing worldwide for doping.

Valverde leads the International Cycling Union’s rankings published Monday, a day after winning the Tour de Romandie in Switzerland.

The 30-year-old Spaniard leads Belgium’s Philippe Gilbert 392-294 in the season-long points race.

But Valverde cannot race in the 21-stage Giro d’Italia starting Saturday because Italy’s Olympic Committee banned him from racing there after connecting him to a Spanish blood-doping ring.

The UCI wants that two-year ban extended worldwide and had its case heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport in March. A ruling is expected within weeks.