December 17, 2006 (Providence, R.I) – The 2006 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships concluded Sunday as Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo./Spike) successfully defended her 2005 title and earned her third straight stars-and-stripes jersey in the elite women’s category. By virtue of Sunday’s victory, Compton earned an automatic nomination to represent the United States at the 2007 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Belgium next month.

Along with Crank Brothers U.S. Gran Prix of Cyclocross overall champion, Georgia Gould (Boise, Idaho/Luna), Compton was considered one of the heavy favorites entering Sunday’s headliner and wasted no time in enacting that perception. Compton separated herself from the remainder of the 63-woman field almost immediately and quickly opened up a significant gap on Gould. For the next 10 miles, Compton showed no weakness and only enhanced her advantage before soloing across the line in dominating fashion.

Compared to the 2005 edition on the same course at Roger Williams Park, Compton cited better weather and a better start position as key contributors to this year’s national title.

“This year was definitely easier because I had a front line start and there was no snow,” Compton explained. “I didn’t get a great start, I think I fell in third spot, and then I got on Georgia’s wheel and passed her in the second turn. I felt pretty good, I just wanted to go fast and be in the front so I could pick the lines. I just wanted to stay on the gas.”

After declining participation in the world championships in previous years, Compton will now head to Belgium in January to compete against the world’s best ‘cross racers for the first time in her career.

“I would love a top-ten finish, but this year I’d just like to go for experience and feel it out and see where I stand and next year go for a better result.”

Behind Compton, Gould rode in to claim the silver medal ahead of third-place finisher, Kerry Barnholt (Boulder, Colo./Tokyo Joe’s -Maxxis).

Four other national titles were also decided as the men’s collegiate race crowned two individual champions and resulted in two overall team titles. Saturday’s fourth-place finisher in the men’s U23 category, Jamey Driscoll (University of Vermont), captured the Division I men’s crown, while Ryan Iddings (Seattle Pacific University) rode away with the Division II title. Despite those victories, earlier performances by their women counterparts left Lees-McRae College as the overall Division I champion and MIT as the overall Division II winner.

Several exhibition races were also held Sunday as Tim Johnson (Middleton, Mass./Cyclocrossworld.com) earned a win in the elite men’s Super Cup. Coryn Rivera (Tustin, Calif./Major Motion) won the women’s category-B race, while Joseph Tokarski (Woodlands, Texas/Team Hotel San Jose-Redbudsports.com) earned a win in the men’s under-35 category-B race and Jeff Park (San Antonio, Texas/Solar Eclipse) captured the men’s 35+ category-B event.

2006 USA Cycling Cyclocross National Championships
Providence, R.I. – December 15-17

Day Three National Champions:

– Elite Women: Katie Compton (Colorado Springs, Colo.)
– Collegiate Men Division I: Jamey Driscoll (University of Vermont)
– Collegiate Men Division II: Ryan Iddings (Seattle Pacific University)
– Overall Division I Collegiate: Lees-McRae University
– Overall Division II Collegiate: MIT

For complete results click here.