Compton returns to the dirt

Four time US National Cyclo-cross champion Katie Compton will return to the dirt again on a mountain bike in a few weeks. Compton, will travel with her Kiwi husband Mark Legg to New Zealand for the New Zealand singlespeed national championships in Rotorua on Anzac weekend April 25-27.

The couple from Colorado will enjoy the chance to race on the Whakarewarewa Forest trails. Their entries were among the first dozen or so organizers received.

"We were stoked to get our first entries from the States so early," said Event Director Dean Watson. "And with Katie it was the starting point for a very strong women's field." Because Compton isn't a New Zealander she won't be eligible for the women's title and winner's tattoo.

"We explained that to her, but she didn't mind," said Watson. "Both her and Mark told us they will be here to just ride and have some fun in the true spirit of singlespeeding."

With international experience in road, track and cyclo-cross racing, Compton is, of course, one of the favorites for the weekend. She won the silver medal at the world cyclo-cross championships in 2007 and logged some mountain bike racing time last year at Sea Otter.