Compton Wins in Zolder, Takes World Cup Lead

Katie Compton was unbeatable in Zolder. © Bart Hazen

by Bart Hazen

Compton Unbeatable in Zolder

Seven-time USA National Champion Katie Compton continues to dominate the top of the sport. The Planet Bike rider soloed to the win on the snow-covered course in Zolder, taking her fourth World Cup win of the season. World Champion Marianne Vos finished in second, almost one minute down and World Cup leader Sanne van Paassen completed the podium. Daphny van den Brand, Pavla Havlikova, Sabrina Schweizer, Pauline Ferrand-Prevot, Christel Ferrier-Bruneau, Linda van Rijen and Jasmin Achermann rounded out the top ten. Americans Sue Butler (19th) and Mo Bruno-Roy (20th) both had solid rides. CXM contributor Christine Vardaros crashed in the first lap and never got into a good rhythm, finally finishing in 36th. Meredith Miller, who had her birthday today, abandoned the race.

Contrary to previous races, Compton had the best start of the pack. After the first lap the chasers – Sanne van Paassen, Pavla Havlikova, Daphny van den Brand, Christel Ferrier-Bruneau and Marianne Vos – followed at more than 20 seconds. Despite crashing roughly eight times, Compton was able to extend her lead lap by lap to add another big win to her palmares. The battle for second was a constant change of positions between Vos and Van Paassen. The decision came in the final lap when Vos dropped her compatriot.

Due to her win, Compton takes over the World Cup lead from Van Paassen. “I am happy with this jersey but I won’t defend it. I will skip the next round of the World Cup in Pontchâteau to prepare at home in Colorado for the Worlds in Sankt-Wendel. I will definitely ride the final round of the World Cup in Hoogerheide as final preparation,” said Compton at the press conference. “It was very tough today, we all had problems to stay on our bikes in these conditions. I crashed several times but despite a few bruises I am OK. I heard I wasn’t the only one who crashed.”

World Champion Marianne Vos finished second for the third time this season. “Compton was the best today,” she said. “It’s the only conclusion you can make if she wins with almost one minute on me. It was a matter of staying on the bike on this snow-covered and icy course; and the course became tougher and tougher each lap.”

Van Paassen, who lost her leader’s jersey to Compton, tried to follow the American National Champion in the beginning but soon realized that the pace was too high. “Compton is very strong. Technically the differences aren’t that big, but she has just more power,” said Van Paassen. Due to the absence of Compton in Pontchâteau she can take over the World Cup leader’s jersey again in three weeks time. “I am not focusing on the final ranking yet. I want to ride and battle for the win in every race and then we will see. The Gazet van Antwerpen Trophee is important as well.”

CXM contributor Christine Vardaros was very unlucky today. “In the first lap I rode over 3 bikes, jumped over 4, and was on my way to having a solid start to my race until I took myself out on an ice u-turn. Smacked my hip so hard I had only my left leg left to pedal with – and rode bare-handed after my water-sogged gloves turned to ice. Race over.”

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