Meanwhile, on the other side of the US, more than 550 pro and amateur racers competed at Maryland's...
Katie Compton (Spike) (Image credit: FJ Hughes)
Meanwhile, on the other side of the US, more than 550 pro and amateur racers competed at Maryland's Greenbrier State Park Sunday although only the elite categories were racing for coveted UCI points. Trek / VW racers dominated the top 10 in both the men's and women's races, but despite their strong presence, the team could not claim victory in either event. Canada was also represented by a large contingent of racers; many had headed south to collect the required 20 UCI points needed to start the two summer World Cups coming up on their home turf.
World cyclo-cross silver medalist and track standout Katie Compton (Spike Shooter) is making her presence known on the mountain bike circuit this season. After winning the short track at Sea Otter, Compton came out blazing at Greenbrier. Her only true challenger was Sue Haywood (Trek/VW), but Compton could boast a one minute advantage by the end of the first lap. Perhaps those fast track and 'cross starts were paying off? Though Compton faded at Sea Otter's cross country race, she held on strong at Greenbrier for the win, with more than two minutes's advantage over Haywood.
On the men's side Todd Wells (GT) battled Jeremiah Bishop (Trek / VW) in what became a two-man race. Wells established an early commanding lead, but Bishop applied the afterburners and closed to within 46 seconds with one lap to go. However, fate put the stops on Bishop's plan when he flatted part-way around the course. Although Wells would flat, too, he was close enough to the finish to hold onto victory. Meanwhile Bishop dropped to fourth place as he rode in on his shredded tire.
