Compton takes first 'cross World Cup win

By Brecht Decaluwé

In only her third ever World Cup race, American Katie Compton (Spike Shooter) took her first victory on the cyclo-cross World Cup circuit. The 29 year-old totally dominated the women's race in Pinjacker, Netherlands, where local Dutch riders had hoped to continue their domination from previous rounds.

Thirty-four women started the second World Cup race of the season, and the big favourite was newly crowned European champion Daphny Van Den Brand (ZZPR.nl) who had won the previous World Cup race in Kalmthout. Compton decided things would be different this time and dropped everybody including Van Den Brand on the first lap.

A chasing group gathered behind the American including Belgian Sanne Cant (ASD Selle Italia Guerciotti) who had a good start, but the 17 year-old couldn't maintain her tempo and eventually finished eighth. While Compton worked hard to build her lead, a group of three women formed behind her. Van Den Brand and compatriot Rheza Hormes Ravenstein were joined by Birgit Hollmann (Team Getränke-Hoffmann) and going into the final laps it was clear they would battle for second place.

Compton cruised to grab her first ever World Cup win while Van Den Brand dropped her rivals to grab second place. The experienced Hormes Ravenstein claimed third place, accompanying her compatriot Van Den Brand on the podium.

See full coverage of the Pinjacker round of the cyclo-cross World Cup here.