Cyclocross World Cup Round Two: Compton Wins To Seize Points Lead
Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) took over as the new points leader in the Elite Women’s field at the UCI World Cup in Tabor.
It was a great day for the American women with three U.S. riders placing in the top ten including Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry Farms-Specialized) with an impressive sixth place finish, and Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com) taking ninth.
Marriane Vos (Rabobank-Liv/giant) was notably absent from Tabor, leaving it up to the remaining heavy-hitters to duel it out on the very fast course. The surprisingly warm 62 degree weather contributed to the speed, keeping the grass-heavy race dry with the exception of one corner in particular that claimed several victims in the men’s field including World Champion, Sven Nys (Crelan KDY cycling Team).
The women took to the course first with Nikki Harris (Telenet Fidea) taking the holeshot and leading through lap one, pushing the pace and forcing the first round of selection. On the second lap, Compton turned on the gas, taking the lead. Although Harris and teammate Pavla Havlikova worked together to pull her back, at one point momentarily bridging the gap, Compton proved the strongest. In the last lap Compton was forced to run a hill after the stairs but held her lead finishing six seconds over Harris.
Havlikova rounded out the podium while Sanne Cant (Enerthem-BKCP), who was by herself in fourth position for much of the race, was overtaken in the final meters by Christel Ferrier-Bruneau (Faren Kuota), in her last World Cup race before retiring in November.
“It reminds me of U.S. racing. The terrain and course were similar. I attacked early and was able to maintain it but I was really feeling it,” Compton explained. “The downhill I was getting a little time each lap. I had just enough gap to have to stay on the pedals the whole time.”
As for her season overall? “I want to win the overall again, that’s my goal. I like being consistent and being on the podium a lot.”