U.S. Postal's Roberto Heras has dropped in the world cycling rankings released Monday despite clinching his second Vuelta a España title this past weekend.

Heras, who also won the 2000 Vuelta, dropped from 19th to 25th spot because the world rankings take into account the number of days spent leading the event.

As a result, Heras earned fewer UCI points than he did last year when he finished runner-up because he held the leader’s jersey for less time.

By contrast, Spain's Isidro Nozal (ONCE), who finished second this year despite leading until the final day, jumped from 303rd to 19th position.

Italy's Alessandro Petacchi moves into third after winning five stages, behind overall leader Paolo Bettini of Italy and Germany's Erik Zabel.

The United States has two riders in the top 10: Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong and Tyler Hamilton.

Rankings
1. Paolo Bettini (I), 2096 points
2. Erik Zabel (G), 1993
3. Alessandro Petacchi (I), 1856
4. Davide Rebellin (I), 1774
5. Gilberto Simoni (I), 1752
6. Alexandre Vinokourov (Kaz), 1693
7. Lance Armstrong (USA), 1521
8. Iban Mayo (Sp), 1425
9. Alejandro Valverde (Sp), 1366
10. Tyler Hamilton (USA), 1363
11. Francesco Casagrande (I), 1353
12. Jan Ullrich (G), 1258
13. Danilo Di Luca (I), 1246
14. Dario Frigo (I), 1222
15. Michele Bartoli (I), 1158
16. Francisco Mancebo (Sp), 1148
17. Robbie McEwen (Aus), 1138
18. Michael Boogerd (Ned), 1122
19. Isidro Nozal (Sp), 1058
20. Baden Cooke (Aus), 1034
21. Stefano Garzelli (I), 1011
22. Jaan Kirsipuu (Est), 1007
23. Mirko Celestino (I), 978
24. Laurent Brochard (F), 969
25. Roberto Heras (Sp), 963

Saeco duo skip world's training race
Saeco riders Danilo Di Luca and Fabio Sacchi, named to the Italian world-championship team, will skip the Giro della Provincia di Lucca, the traditional training race for the world championships.

The race starts Tuesday and ends Friday.

Mirko Celestino will be Saeco's leader for the race, backed up by Alessio Galletti, Mario Sabaliauskas, Alessandro Spezialetti, Stefano Zanini, Gerrit Glomser, Giosue Bonomi and stagiaire Diego Caccia, with Giuseppe Martinelli as directeur sportif.

Celestino, who was disappointed after failing to be selected for the world’s team, hopes to make up for it in the last few races of the season.