Katie Compton may be the most dominant American rider in the history of cyclocross, but that doesn’t mean that it comes easy for the 32-year-old. This past weekend, at the fourth round of the cyclocross world cup in Kalmthout, Belgium, Compton encountered a number of setbacks and just barely managed to remain the overall world cup leader. The course was blanketed in fresh snow, complete with ruts and frozen snow. Compton had a bad start, then suffered a crash trying to move through mid-pack traffic. By the end of the race, Compton moved up to third place. This race was a stark contrast to Compton’s dominant style, but illustrates the grit and perseverance needed to stay competitive at the top level.

WTB sponsored riders Katie Compton and Rachel Lloyd are poised for success leading into the Cyclocross World Championships next weekend. Compton won her third world cup of the season on January 18, in Roubaix, France. Compton soloed to victory on the muddy course that incorporated the legendary velodrome from the finish of Paris Roubaix. Compton’s results are unprecedented for an American in international cyclocross competition. Compton’s saddle of choice is the WTB Silverado.

Lloyd isn’t far behind. The Marin County, California, native has been consistently finishing within the top ten in the world cup series. Additionally, she scored a second place—just behind former world champ Daphny Van Den Brand—at the UCI-sanctioned, category-two race Tervuren in Belgium. Lloyd also placed third at the U.S. National Cyclocross Championships earlier this season. Lloyd’s saddle of choice is the WTB Shadow V.

Both Compton and Lloyd will be racing the final round of the world cup series in Milano, Italy, this weekend, and then the World Championships in Hoogerheide, Holland, on January 31. With Compton and Lloyd riding so strong, we’re expecting nothing but gold!

WTB-sponsored racer Katie Compton claimed victory at the fourth round of the Cyclocross World Cup in Koksijde, Belgium on November 29. Compton—voted by Velo News Magazine as the North American Cyclocross Woman of the Year—overcame what she called “a terrible start” to beat the current world champ in a drag race to the finish line. The win is Compton’s second world cup victory and propelled the American to seventh place in the series. Compton’s main focus this year is the Cyclocross World Championships in February, 2009. Compton took home the silver medal in the 2007 ‘Cross World Champs, this year she’s going for gold.

Compton’s saddle of choice is WTB’s Silverado.

      
All images by Mark Legg.