American cyclocross legend Katie Compton vowed to fight for at least one more season after finishing fourth in the elite women's race at the UCI Cyclocross World Championships on Saturday.

The 41-year-old 15-time national champion said that despite the speed of her younger rivals, the sport is too much fun to leave. She also plans to continue in the sport through the 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Compton finished fourth in Saturday's championships in Dubendorf, Switzerland, one minute behind 21-year-old winner Ceylin Del Carmen Alvarado of the Netherlands.

"I had a pretty slow start behind some crashes, but I had a pretty good day," Compton said.

"I felt OK overall and gave it my all on a hard, heavy course. It was a bumpy course, so I just tried to run smooth and catch up with the lead group. [The start wasn't great. I was disappointed with my start today because I had been getting good starts. But overall, it was just a small part of the race. I don't know if I could have stayed with that lead group, so I'm happy with fourth place

"In the World Championships, there were some really good races and some really disappointing races. But now I am enjoying the experience and enjoying the day. I'm just trying to do my best and whatever the result is, that's the reality."

Despite being older than his rivals, Compton has been at the front of the big races this season.

"I was really happy with my riding that day and I felt good," Compton added.

"Not many days I feel as good as I used to. They [the young riders] are very fast and great riders. They are so strong, so fast, so technical and really hard to beat. They are really young and full of energy.

Compton has promised to ride another cyclocross season after enjoying living and racing in Belgium for the past few months.

"I'm going to race again next year, and I haven't officially said when I'm going to retire, but I'm definitely feeling my age and I see the end of the tunnel soon," Compton added.

"I love racing bikes and I love cross. The way the women's race is going, everything is faster, harder, and more fun.

"I want to be a part of it and it's kind of sad that I feel like I'm getting old and tired. I can still bring it to the mix up front and have some good days. I cherish those days. [Racing] was fun, and I'm really enjoying it now. It's hard to retire, so I'm going to continue for one more season and then decide. Retirement is not sudden.

The 2022 UCI Cyclocross World Championships will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Compton says it would be "awesome" to compete.

"It would be a good time [to retire]," he said. It would be great if I could go to the World Championships in the U.S., but we'll see what happens."