It was 2007, and Katie Compton would win three World Cup races and her third national championship title that year. But the 2007 Cyclocross World Championships, held in Domenico Savio Park in Hooglede-Gits, Belgium, was her first appearance in the Elite Women’s race for the rainbow jersey.
And Compton didn’t disappoint.
An early move by the three time World Champion Hanka Kupfernagel was caught two thirds of the way into the race and Compton found herself at the front of affairs with 5 other women in with a chance to win. A late race fall by Kupfernagel opened the door for three women, including Compton, and they were off to the races.
In the finale, France’s Maryline Salvetat was able to hold off a hard charging Compton for gold. Compton was clearly pleased with her silver-medal effort as she crossed the line ahead of Salvetat’s countrywoman Laurence Leboucher.
Take a quick break from your day and catch the last 15 minutes of the action in the video below, posted to YouTube by Steven Woo back in November of 2010.
