The UCI Road World Rankings was a system of ranking road bicycle racers based upon the results in all UCI-sanctioned races over a twelve month period. The world rankings were first instituted by the UCI in 1984.
Sean Kelly of Ireland was the first rider to be ranked world number 1 in March 1984 and was the year-end rankings leader for five years from 1984 to 1988 inclusive. The only other rider to come close to Kelly's dominance was Laurent Jalabert who topped the rankings four times, from 1995 to 1997 and again in 1999.
The competition was run in parallel to the UCI Road World Cup, which included 10 UCI races. Both were replaced at the end of the 2004 season with the inauguration of the UCI ProTour and UCI Continental Circuits. A revised version of the ProTour ranking was announced for the 2009 season, renamed UCI World Ranking.
| Rider | Team | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Sean Kelly (IRL) | Skil | |
| 1985 | Sean Kelly (IRL) | Skil | |
| 1986 | Sean Kelly (IRL) | Kas | |
| 1987 | Sean Kelly (IRL) | Kas | |
| 1988 | Sean Kelly (IRL) | Kas | |
| 1989 | Laurent Fignon (FRA) | System U | |
| 1990 | Gianni Bugno (ITA) | Chateau d'Ax-Salotti | |
| 1991 | Gianni Bugno (ITA) | Chateau d'Ax-Gatorade | |
| 1992 | Miguel Indurain (ESP) | Banesto | |
| 1993 | Miguel Indurain (ESP) | Banesto | |
| 1994 | Tony Rominger (SUI) | Mapei-CLAS | |
| 1995 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | |
| 1996 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | |
| 1997 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE | |
| 1998 | Michele Bartoli (ITA) | Asics | |
| 1999 | Laurent Jalabert (FRA) | ONCE-Deutsche Bank | |
| 2000 | Francesco Casagrande (ITA) | Vini Caldirola-Sidermec | |
| 2001 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | |
| 2002 | Erik Zabel (GER) | Team Telekom | |
| 2003 | Paolo Bettini (ITA) | Quick Step-Davitamon | |
| 2004 | Damiano Cunego (ITA) | Saeco Macchine per Caffè |
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