Terrific Taylor Knibb secures national title and Olympic berth just days after WTCS Yokohama

Taylor Knibb, one of the very best triathletes in the sport, has qualified to compete for Team USA at the Paris Olympics in the individual TT event.
Taylor Knibb Trek-Segafredo
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American triathlon superstar Taylor Knibb secured her spot for a second individual event at the Paris Olympic Games today, just four days after finishing second at WTCS Yokohama.

The two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion, who qualified for a second Olympic Games in triathlon last summer, won the US Time Trial Championship in Charleston, West Virginia with a brilliant effort.

As a result, Knibb will now compete at the Olympic Games in both triathlon and cycling, lining up for a possible three events in the span of ten days this summer.

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Queen of the course

Completing the 33.7km along the banks of the Kanawha River in a stunning 41:54, Knibb won by more than ten seconds, and secured her first national title representing Team Factory Racing.

Taylor Knibb Trek-Segafredo
Photo Credit: Trek-Segafredo

A favourite for a medal in both the individual and mixed team relay event in Paris, the Boulder native will now look to add another potential medal to her tally in the French capital.

The individual time trial event, which takes place on July 27, is four days before the women’s individual triathlon race on July 31. Five days later, the mixed team relay, where Knibb and her American compatriots will be amongst the favourites, is held on August 5.

The Summer of Knibb

Also committed to the T100 Triathlon World Tour this season, Knibb will face a hectic summer schedule, with the San Francisco T100 next month her second middle distance race of the year following a dominant win at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside in April.

Taylor Knibb secures a second place finish at WTCS Yokohama
[Photo Credit – Tommy Zaferes]

Lining up next weekend at WTCS Cagliari, Knibb will have a last chance to race over the Olympic distance on the WTCS circuit before Paris, and will aim to make it two podiums from two when she lines up in Sardinia.

Two weeks post Cagliari, Knibb will be back Stateside for San Francisco and the final stages of her Olympic preparation.

Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.

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