Katie Compton (Planet Bike) proved again why she is the top ranked rider in the world.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) over the barriers.(Image credit: Mitchell Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) on the first lap and already putting time on the competition.(Image credit: Mitchell Clinton/www.clintonphoto.com)
Alison Dunlap (Luna Pro Team) now has three consecutive third place finishes.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs-RGM) wins today's start.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) leading through the first sand pit.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs-RGM) in second position through the sand.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
The Boulder Resevoir near sunrise.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Not all the spectators were interested in the racing in Boulder.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry), the current USA road champion, has dramatically improved her cyclo-cross skills.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Former national and world champion Alison Dunlap (Luna Pro Team) had a solid ride.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Lora Heckman (Peloton Cycles) over the barriers.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Kate Scheider (Mafia Racing)(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) crossing a plastic pier.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) rounding a corner at the top of the course.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs) riding in second place.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Lindsay Bishop (Mafia Racing) riding in the top 10 today.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) over the barriers.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs) was flying over the barriers today.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry) running the hurdles with ease.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Alison Dunlap (Luna Pro Team) had no problem riding the sand.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Lisa Matlock Strong (Natural Grocers) running with her bike.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Sarah Maile (Ventan Mountain Bike)(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry) staying on her bike in the sand pit.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) with a gigantic lead with one lap to go.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Kelli Emmett (Giant) on the run-up from the beach.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) with a half lap left.(Image credit: Dave McElwaine/trailwatch.net)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) solos in with a huge gap for the win.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Amy Dombrowski (Richard Sachs) and Katie Compton (Planet Bike) have a laugh on the start line.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) gets an early lead.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) rides solo through the fall leaves.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Alison Dunlap (Luna Chix) takes a rocky corner in full chase mode.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Kelli Emmett (Giant) riding near the front of the pack.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) looking smooth heading through the barriers.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs) gets a gap on the rest of the field.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Meredith Miller (CA Giant Berry Farms) had a good ride today in the drier conditions.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry Farms) going fast near the front.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Riders make the sandy run on the way to the barriers.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) continues to dominate the field.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
elly Emmett (Giant) making her way over the barriers.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs) riding solidly in second place.(Image credit: Jonathan Devich/epicimages.us)
Katie Compton (Planet Bike) rode to her second consecutive solo victory of the weekend at the Boulder Cup on Sunday. Runner-up Amy Dombroski (Richard Sachs) outpaced former UCI Mountain Bike World Champion Alison Dunlap (Team Luna) to claim second by eight seconds.
"I felt a little better today, but I still don't feel that great," Compton said. "I was coming into this weekend obviously not fresh, so I have a week to recover with travel and getting to France. Next weekend I'll feel better. This weekend was good for the legs. [It was] good to push hard despite not feeling great and [it was good] working on my skills in the mud and the sand. It always feels good to win, I'm not going to lie."
Compton moved into the lead of the North American Cyclo-Cross Trophy (NACT) series following her double victory in rounds seven and eight this weekend. She admitted that she would like to win the prestigious jersey; however, her battle to maintain her number one ranking in the UCI World Cup standings resumes next weekend in Nommay, France, and she will not contest the final two rounds of the NACT series.
Dombroski shot out of the gates at full throttle and held a commanding lead through the first half lap of the elite women's five-lap event. The Under 23 US National Champion admitted that she has been working on her starts so she won't have to keep burning unnecessary energy catching the leaders at the beginning of each race.
"I've been struggling with my starts big time, and I was just standing on the start line thinking, 'okay, make this one count'," Dombroski said. "It's flat and [being in] the top three was key at this course. As soon as the gap opened up, it was just going to get bigger and bigger."
The circuit was filled with obstacles that included a sandy run-up followed by a wide sandbox. Then there was a set of barriers through an S-turn.
"I really liked the sand," Dombroski said. "I didn't know about that sandy run-up section though, so that took me by surprise. I was warming up earlier, with my final part of it on the road. I heard about the course change, and I was trying to be attentive but it surprised me. I've been working on my running, so I liked that section."
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The crowd went wild as Compton moved into the lead and pulled to a sizable 30-second advantage over her competition. By the end of the second lap, her lead had grown to a convincing one minute as she appeared to float over the terrain with ease.
A chase group formed behind Compton. Its riders battled for second. Dombroski shared the rotation with Dunlap and Kelli Emmett (Giant) until she finally broke loose mid-race.
"Kelli was right on my tail on the first couple of laps," Dombroski said. "But then I noticed that Dunlap was there, and I thought 'oh shoot, they are probably going to start working together'. I tried to keep the power on and treated every lap that followed like it was my last. I know, at least with me, that when I get a gap on someone, it's hard to stay mentally strong."
Close behind, US road champion Meredith Miller (California Giant Berry Farms) tried to muscle her way back into the mix, passing Emmett for fourth place on the last lap. Barbara Howe (Vanderkitten) eventually placed sixth ahead of Alison Powers (Fuji) and Lisa Matlock-Strong (Natural Grocers).
Kirsten Frattini has been the Editor of Cyclingnews since December 2025, overseeing editorial operations and output across the brand and delivering quality, engaging content.
She manages global budgets, racing & events, production scheduling, and contributor commissions, collaborating across content sections and teams in the UK, Europe, North America, and Australia to ensure audience and subscription growth across the brand.
Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games.
