Katie Compton rode to her second-consecutive short-track national championship on Sunday, July 17.

Colorado Springs pro mountain bike racer Katie Compton powered to the short-track cross country title at the 2011 USA Cycling Mountain Bike Cross-Country National Championships on Sunday at Sun Valley Resort in Ketchum, Idaho. It is Compton's second consecutive short-track championship.

Compton, who rides for Rabobank-Giant, got some help from Colorado Springs pro Kelli Emmett (Giant). While Chloe Forsman (Tucson, Ariz./BMX) and Judy Freeman (Boulder, Colo./Kenda-Felt) gained a narrow leaf on the first lap, their advantage didn't last long. Compton attacked off of Emmett's wheel and reeled in the leaders. 

“I got a little gap and just stayed on the gas,” explained Compton. “I felt good today so I thought I’d just give it a go and push the whole time.”

After Compton took control, Forsman suffered an untimely flat, removing her from the race. Heather Irmiger (Boulder, CO/Subaru/TREK) and Saturday's cross-country champ Georgia Gould  (Fort Collins, CO/LUNA PRO TEAM) mounted a chase. But Compton, the a seven-time cyclo-cross national champion, was too much for the superstar cross-country pair. Irmiger won the final lap sprint to take the silver.

Compton's win in short rack put the final touches on a successful week area racers.

Here's a breakdown of the weekend.

Super D: Emmett, a two-time Super D national champion, captured the silver medal this year, 21 seconds off of  Jericho, Vt. rider Lea Davidson's winning time of 23:06.5.

Q and A interview with Emmett

Cross Country: Cat 1 40-44 rider Christine Irelan of Colorado Springs claimed the silver medal in the cross country race on Saturday. Irelan was riding her bike on Ute Pass in 2008 when she was struck by a truck. Read her amazing story here.

Compton captured the bronze medal in the pro women race, while Emmett finished fifth.

Among the area's pro men, Mitch Hoke (Tokyo Joe's) finished ninth. Kalan Beisel (ProCycling) rolled home in 13th.

More about Hoke here ... Video interview with Beisel ... Q & A with Beisel following 24 hour national team championship

Mark Legg Compton of Colorado Springs rode to a silver-medal finish in the Men's 40-44 category, while Russell Asleson took the bronze in the Men's 55-59 race.

In Cat 2 15-18, Kyle Bloesser finished 10th.