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Katie Compton - Fuji-Pro Cycling

Katie Compton -Fuji-Pro Cycling
NATIONAL ELITE
CYCLOCROSS CHAMPION 2004
INTERVIEW

December 13, 2004

1. What was you game plan going into the race...

I wanted to get a good start and fight my way through to Ann, Gina, and Mary within the first lap since I knew they were going to be riding strong.  I planned to sit on them until there was a good place to attack and then just go, however I never got a chance to attack hard, I just took another line through a mud section and got a little gap and then just tried to stay on pace. 

2. Talk about the course conditions...

They weren’t too bad, definitely much better than the days prior.  We were actually able to ride most of the course minus a couple run-ups.  There were some switchbacks and a couple road sections where I could really pedal hard.

3. I understand you won't be going to Worlds, can you talk about that for me...

I turned down the spot to the World Championships so I could maintain my Paralympic status.  In order to pilot a tandem for the Paralympics, you can’t have any UCI points or race for a UCI trade team or represent your country in International competition for 3 years prior to a Paralympic event.  These rules keep pro/elite riders from competing at the elite level and then jumping on the tandem for key events.  It makes it more of an even playing field.

4. What part of cyclocross do you love most?

The technical power courses are the best, the harder the better as long as there are limited running sections, I don’t much care for the running part of cross.  I do like the barriers too and wish we could have more of those.

5. Talk about racing with the cat 3 men in the ACA races...

Racing with the guys is a great way to get better, they pushed me every weekend and made me work for the places.  I learned how to ride through a pack when getting a poor start and work with riders to move up in the field.  That definitely put me in the pain cave each and every weekend, it was really good for my legs.  The cat 3’s in the Boulder/Denver area are really fun to ride with too and they’re really supportive, it was a great experience.

6. Is it true you got your start in cyclocross on a single speed mountain bike?

It is, thanks to Mark Vettori and crew!  I think I committed to my first cross race when I had too many drinks one night at the Deer Park.  Boy did I suffer the next day, all I remember is sleeping in the back of Mark’s truck and smelling Ted’s Wawa cheese steak thing that smelled like ass…I’m surprised I didn’t hurl on the drive up.  I think that was one of my worst cross races ever…thanks Mark!

 7. How does this win rate with your other great cycling accomplishments?

 It’s one of the best for sure.  It’s my first Elite National Championship so I’m stoked about that.  I’m still kinda surprised I won. 

 One last thing…

My equipment ran great (Egg Beater pedals, Cane Creek and Zipp wheels, Dugast tires and my trusty old Trek from ’99 that I’m still riding with Campy Record) and support crew (boyfriend, Mark Legg and friend Josh Wiggins) for making everything run smoothly.  I’d also like to thank Alison and Greg Frozely-Dunlap for some sound advice and CTS coach Dean Golich for more advice, it seemed to work pretty well.  Also thanks to Gay Tom for cleaning me up after the race for the podium, it was just like having my Mom there to look after me.
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