Katie Compton beats Kaitlin Antonneau to take Derby City Cup 2011- Cycling News
Rabobank-Giant Team’s Katie Compton extended her winning streak after winning the second day of racing at the Exergy US Gran Prix of Cyclocross's Derby City Cup on Sunday, November 13. The race started and finished in Louisville.
Previously, Compton won the USA Cycling MTB Short Track National Championships and USA Cyclocross National Championships. She also won the UCI Cyclo-Cross World Cup in Netherlands in 2010.
A group of four cyclists emerged in pursuit of Compton, Kaitlin Antonneau (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com), Czech champion Katerina Nash (Luna Pro Team), Meredith Miller (California Giant-Specialized Team) and Nicole Duke (Cannondale p/b Cyclocrossworld.com).
Compton said, "Since I was following someone in I made sure I had an out in case something happened and I needed that out. I was able to get around and pedal through. I think that's where I got a little gap and kind of stayed on and made them chase."
With two laps to go, Compton finally evaded the chasers in the sand section. Katerina was also in good form but in the last section, Compton increased her speed and put herself in front of the field.
Meanwhile, Nash did not lose hope and quickly joined Compton with Duke and Miller, but the seven-time US champion proved to be the quickest and the most alert as compared to the other cyclists.
Owing to Compton’s persistent efforts, she beat the other cyclists to take her first victory of the season, with a timing of 44 minutes and 44 seconds.
After finishing the stage, she told the media, "The course has been really good, two different courses both days. Both were really fun, technical and really fast. Being in Louisville has been great - the people have been awesome, the city's fun and I'm really excited for 2013 world championships".
Antonneau was in the runner-up’s spot, 11 seconds down to Katie while Nash finished third. Miller was in the fourth place with a difference of 19 seconds, ahead of Duke and Chloe Forsman of the Race Club 11 Team.
Laura Van Gilder of C3 Athletes Serving Athletes, Susan Butler of River City Bicyles-Ridley and Teal Stetson-Lee of California Giant-Specialized were in the seventh, eighth and ninth place, respectively.
The three cyclists who did not start the race were: Ashley James (KCCX Elite), Annajean Dallaire (Racin' for Riley p/b Alderfer Bergen) and Katie Arnold (Echelon Cycling).
Meanwhile, the three cyclists who could not finish the race were: Caroline Mani (BH-SuntourVienne Futuroscope Team), Maureen Bruno Roy (Bob's Red Mill pb Seven Cycles) and Melanie Long (Tough Girl-Scott Team).
Overall, the race was a challenging one, with Katie Compton emerging victorious after a very tough encounter with a four-rider chase group.
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