Katie Compton wins World Cup round in Plzen
The U.S. national champion overcomes a bad start and a late crash to take the victory and the World Cup lead
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PLZEN, Czech Republic (VN) — Katie Compton (Trek Cyclocross Collective) roared back from a bad start and a late crash to win the second round of the 2012-13 UCI World Cup and take the series lead on Sunday.
The heavy, muddy course was unrideable in many spots — even the flat bits — and boasted a long, steep staircase “run-up” that was more of a walk-up.
Helen Wyman (Kona Factory Team), Nikki Harris (Telenet-Fidea) and round-one winner Sanne Van Paassen (Rabobank) were among the early leaders. But Compton fought her way up to them, pursued by Hanka Kupfernagel (Rusvelo).
Going into the bell lap Compton had the lead with Wyman on her wheel. Van Paasen and Harris were gapped, while Kupfernagel was nearly 30 seconds behind.
Then the U.S. national champion opened the throttle, taking a 10-second lead over the British champ. Wyman fought back, closing to within sight of the race leader on their last trip up the staircase. And then Compton slid out on a greasy patch and had trouble getting herself organized again.
No matter. She held on to win by 13 seconds over Wyman, who took second, with Harris third, a second better than Van Paassen.
Editor’s note: Stay tuned for more from Plzen.