2018 GP Sven Nys Baal: Katie Compton Has a Baal in the Mud

BAAL, Belgium—While some racers unveiled new bikes, debuted for new teams or started new year’s resolutions at GP Sven Nys on New Year’s Day, Katie Compton (KFC Racing p/b Trek / Panache), kept to her old winning habits.

See the 2018 GP Sven Nys highlight videos here.

The Colorado Springs-based racer was the second oldest to contest today’s GP Sven Nys, but looked to have more youthful spring in her step and pedal stroke than her competitors, some of whom were twenty years or more her junior.

Compton continues her winning ways in 2018 at the GP Sven Nys Baal – Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

New Year, New Starts

Helen Wyman (Xypex – Verge Sport) was one of the racers to line up today with fresh everything. The Brit closed out her long career with Kona and opened a new chapter with a new red kit and red KindHuman bike, and was eager to show it off. She bolted to the front to grab the holeshot and camera time before they would soon be covered in mud.

Behind, 2017 U23 Women’s World Champ Annemarie Worst (Era Circus) gave chase, with Nikki Brammeier (Mudiiita Cyclocross Project), also eager to gain exposure for her new program, right behind.

Compton’s winning odds initially looked grim after an early tumble.

“I took a tumble at the start and somersaulted into the water,” said Compton. “It wasn’t awesome.”

Marianne Vos (WM3 Pro Cycling) nearly ran over Compton and her bike as they were on the ground, but narrowly avoided the collision.

Missing from the front was Sanne Cant (IKO Beobank), who suffered from back problems and was outside the top 15.

Minor Flight Delay

The rest of the race was awesome for the 13-time National Champion, as she roared back into contention.

Compton surged back to catch everyone but an off-the-front Worst, and together with Brammeier, gave chase.

Meanwhile, Wyman faded after her fast start and would finish 11th.

Annemarie Worst passed Wyman for the lead, and then only had Compton get by her by the end. 2018 GP Sven Nys Baal – Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Worst, Compton and Brammeirer briefly converged into a leading group, with the fast-starting new Corendon-Circus signee Ceylin Alvarado chasing,  but Compton wasn’t content and hit the front. Worst then crashed, holding up Brammeier, and suddenly after just two laps, Compton had 14 seconds in hand.

A Race for Second

Compton continued to apply the pressure, and stretched her lead to over thirty seconds with one lap to go.

Behind, it was a race for the podium. Worst continued her steady ride, but faced company from Brammeier and a resurgent Cant. The three traded places, but Maud Kaptheijns (Crelan Charles) was lurking, and Cant’s back wasn’t done giving her fits.

While Cant would briefly sit up, and almost appear to quit, Worst kept up the pace, and escaped for second. Kaptheijns surged past both Brammeier and Cant in the final meters of the course to secure third, while an in-pain Cant finished fourth ahead of Brammeier.

Maud Kaptheijns had a strong finishing lap to take third. 2018 GP Sven Nys Baal – Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

Compton looked fresh at the finish despite the conditions and mud. “It was really hard,” she explained.  “I loved the course. I had good legs and I could breathe. I really enjoyed it.”

Notes:

• Thalita de Jong returned to cyclocross after an injured year away, and finished 14th.
• Americans Natalie Tapias (JAM Fund) finished in 32nd, and Cyclocross Magazine contributor Corey Coogan Cisek (PowerFix CX), the only racer older than Compton, finished 34th.
• Two Canadians raced. Magdeleine Vallieres Mill and Siobhan Kelly finished 35th and 38th, respectively.
• Compton, with her winning gap over Brammeier, looks to have the Ijsboerke Ladies’ Trophy secured, with just one race remaining.

Annemarie Worst, Katie Compton, Maud Kaptheijns. 2018 GP Sven Nys Baal – Elite Women. © B. Hazen / Cyclocross Magazine

See the full results below, and stay tuned for a full photo gallery.

2018 GP Sven Nys Baal Results: Elite Women - IJsboerke Ladies Trophy / DVV