Compton fourth in cat-n-mouse Zolder day

Katie Compton just missed taking her seventh trip to the podium in the Women's World Cup at round six in Zolder, Belgium on Friday. The American was in the lead group of favorites for the entire race but couldn't find the power to sprint and finished fourth behind winner Marianne Vos (DSB Bank), World Champion Hanka Kupfernagel and Daphny Van den Brand (ZZPR.nl)

"It was a lot of 'cat and mouse', and no one really wanted to work. There were a lot of accelerations too, and that was hard. ... I think the four or five of us up front attacking each other caught up with me at the end," Compton said to Cyclingnews.

It was the first time in the last four World Cup races that Compton finished off the podium. She finished second in Pijnacker and won the rounds in Koksijde and Nommay. She remained in third place in the series standings behind Hanka Kupfernagel and Daphny Van Den Brand.

"Vos had a good ride today since it is such a fast course. Hanka [Kupfernagel] and Daphny [Van Den Brand], they are all riding well," Compton said.

She will face the same rivals in the World Championships, February 1 in Hoogerheide, Netherlands. Two years ago, Compton took silver at the Worlds in Hooglede-Gits, Belgium.