From USA Cycling

Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Trek Cyclocross Collective) rode away with her ninth consecutive cyclocross national championship on Sunday at Badger Prairie Park in Verona, Wis.

Compton completed her four-lap race in 43:02, 1:20 faster than the silver medalist Jade Wilcoxson (Talent, Ore./Team Optum p/b Kelly Benefit Strategies). Nicole Duke (Boulder, Colo./Cyclocrossworld) overcame some mechanical issues to finish in third place, only three seconds behind Wilcoxson.

(Photo by Dejan Smaic)

“I think this was the hardest course of all,” Compton said of this year’s national title in comparison to her previous eight. “My mechanics had to work hard in the pit trying to get everything to work right. I think they struggled more than I did just because the conditions were so brutal. I’m really happy with this one."

Kaitlin Antonneau (Racine, Wis./Cannondale Cyclocrossworld), who topped the U23 women’s podium last year, repeated as the national champion, Sunday. Antonneau was the top-placed U23 rider in the elite women’s field, placing ninth overall to earn that crown.

Compton and Duke rode together off the front of the field in the early stages of the race. A slight bobble in the pit was the only opening Compton needed to attack and open a margin that continued to expand as the race went on. Compton was the only rider to complete each of her four laps in less than 11 minutes as she left the field battling for second place.

"I didn’t have the best start. I was wearing warmer gloves than I usually do and I didn’t get the shifting right," Compton said. "But other than that it was pretty smooth. I just tried to relax and pedal and push hard where I could and keep my bike upright."

Now come preparations for the World Championship race Jan. 29 to Feb. 1 in Louisville, Ky.

"Now, I go home and get some rest and some proper training in and come into Louisville in good form and feeling well and hope for the best," she said. "I love having Worlds in Louisville.”

More from USA Cycling's Cyclocross National Championships here ...