Going for three | Cyclingnews

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(Image credit: Mitch Clinton)

An interview with Katie Compton, December 4, 2006

Well into her second decade of racing, Katie Compton (Spike Professional Team/Primus Mootry) knows what it takes to be successful, and she's looking forward to the US national championships coming to Providence, Rhode Island, December 15-17. "My goal is to win," said Compton. "I would love to defend the jersey, but above all, I want to have a good ride, with my legs good and my bikes running great. I want to win the jersey and go to worlds." Compton will be chasing her third consecutive national title, possibly on her way to becoming one of five American women who will represent their country at the world cyclo-cross championships in Hooglede, Belgium, in January 27-28.

Gone are the days of relative anonymity on the 'cross circuit. Compton, who will turn 28 in early December, surprised almost everyone when she won her first national title in 2004. While racing for several years as the pilot of a Paralympic tandem team*, Compton chose not to race more often in events that would have given her too many UCI points and rendered her ineligible for Paralympic competitions. Eventually, the UCI rules changed, allowing Compton to become a fixture on podiums at major American 'cross races. Now she is a household name among 'cross fans.

US nationals will be held for the second consecutive year in Providence. In 2005, the race was marked by epic, frigid, snowy conditions. "The course was really fun last year," said the Wilmington, Delaware native. "It was super muddy and icy and slick, but that made it more fun. I'd love it if it was a fast, dry course this year, but realistically, chances of that are slim. I think that every nationals since 1999 has been super muddy or really cold and snowy…really exceptional conditions."

Compton has noticed that her course preferences are changing over time. "To tell the truth, after this past weekend [in Seattle and Portland at the final two USGP races], I realized that I used to like riding in the mud. But there's the whole clean-up process, and your hands slip off the bars while you're racing. I enjoy dry, fast, technical courses with a fast race and fast barriers. The clean up process is easier. Warm up is easier."

Paying for her own equipment? Yes, the two-time national cyclo-cross champion has been racing on her own dime, in part due to her commitment to Paralympic racing. However, her situation will change in January 2007, when Compton becomes a paid professional of her current Spike team. But even with a paid racing slot, Compton will continue her job as a coach with Carmichael Training Systems, which she started as an intern while earning a degree in exercise science from the University of Delaware.

Compton recently gave up racing Paralympics. Her last race with her long-time tandem partner, Karissa Whitsell was in September in Aigle, Switzerland, when her team took second in the pursuit and kilo. "I'm not going to race Paralympics any more. I decided I'm going to move on and focus on 'cross and track. I've had a lot of great experiences and it's been fun, but I've reached a point where I need to move on, and I'm doing well in 'cross. I don't want to wait--I might miss my window, and I want to take advantage while I'm riding well."

Although Compton said she wasn't quite ready for track nationals earlier this fall, she still took second in the pursuit, tenth in the points race, and fourth in the team sprint. "I came directly into track nats from Paralympic worlds in Switzerland, where we won the time trial (road) and had one our best races since Athens 2004. It was a good ride. I wasn't quite ready for 'cross season yet. And I didn't have great track legs for nationals, but it was a good experience. Track racing solo is different than tandem track racing. I need to spend more training time to become a better pursuiter and points racer."

Before Compton was eligible to race regular UCI women's races, she used to train by racing the men in local 'cross races. "I still race with the Cat 3's…in 'cross and on the track in mass start races." But maybe the true secret of her success is doing madisons with the men. "I've raced the madison with [fiancé] Mark. The Madison is the hardest racing I've ever done. You just don't want to go again, but your turn comes around again before you're ready and you just go. The recovery is so short. The exchange is great--you go from walking pace to 50kph in a single handsling." Compton often trains with her fiancé who is a photographer who also works in advertising.

Since the UCI moved the international track racing calendar to correspond with winter months in the northern hemisphere, Compton will have to choose between the conflicting 'cross and track seasons. "That's a tough call. I'm only going to do domestic track because it happens in the summer. My heart's still in 'cross. For now, I do better in 'cross, and so I'll stick with that. I think track is great training for the 'cross season. We'll see what happens with track. Maybe if I spend more time on it? We'll see."

In fact, she remembers one coach in particular who influenced her in her early years. "The best experience of a coach I had was Alaric Gayfer [Gayfer was a seven-time British national track cycling champion and popular coach at the Lehigh Valley Velodrome who died from a brain tumor in 2004 at age 48]. He's the one I remember the most. He taught me so much. He was supportive and encouraging and fun." She also cited the support of her dad, who took her out riding as a junior.

Looking forward, Compton is excited about the growth of cyclo-cross in the US, especially at major races. Compton said, "The USGP racing has been great…with good courses and promoters. I missed the Gloucester races, but the spectators were great in Boulder, Seattle, and Portland. I was on the run-ups and sometimes I couldn't even hear myself breathe because the crowds were so big. Cowbells were going off. That's great for cycling. 'Cross is a spectator friendly event, and those courses were spectator friendly."

In particular, the quality and depth of the women's field are increasing over time. "I've gotten stronger year to year after learning more how to race 'cross, when to apply pressure and when to relax," said Compton, "This year, there's been strong competition with the Luna girls and Lynn [Bessette]. We've all just stepped it up and all want to win. So we push each other. This makes the races faster and harder."

However fast she and her competition are getting, she doesn't think women's 'cross racing is infused with the doping problems seemingly more prevalent in road racing. "'Cross is not an Olympic sport which reduces the pressure. But it's hard to know. I don't think anybody knows but the athletes themselves. I know it's not an issue with the people I race with, but I have no idea what's going on with the men's fields."

Compared to her other European racing experiences, 'cross may be a piece of cake...at least psychologically. Referring to Paralympic road competitions, she said, "Tandem racing is like racing with the Euro girls on the road with everyone constantly moving around and bumping elbows. But you can't modulate speed as easily with someone behind you who can't see. It's nerve-wracking racing in a group of tandems with blind people." Compton and her partner were crashed in the road race in September, but fortunately, both were ok.

Her long career is full of achievement, first as a junior racer, then as a Paralympic team racer, and now as 'cross racer. While many racers would have burned out years ago, she keeps it fresh by keeping her racing in perspective with other aspects of her life. "I've been doing this for 20 years. In the off-season, I do some riding and hiking and skiing. I have a great group of friends to ride and train with. I enjoy riding with friends. I don't have to spend many days on the trainer. I really like riding my bike, and I don't generally get bored. When I do occasionally get bored, I just take a rest. It's more about being fit and active and feeling good. I hate running. If I want to stay fit, I need to keep doing something." For her, cycling is that something.

Long term, Compton does not know how long she'll race at an elite level. "I'd always ride my bike. I'll keep racing…until I stop doing well…for as long as I can. I don't have a long term plan right now. I do this for fun. I haven't been a paid athlete, so I want to keep it fun. It's a hobby for me. Once you make it a job that changes everything. I enjoy riding my bike every day, and I like not thinking of it as an obligation."