Search
shop

Taylor Knibb puts focus on Olympic Games triathlon glory bid after DOMINANT T100 San Francisco win

Taylor Knibb proved once again that she is unstoppable over the middle distance, as the American icon dominated the field at the San Francisco T100 Triathlon World Tour to take the tape in emphatic style.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
STRENGTH. ENDURANCE. PERFORMANCE.

PTO World #2 Taylor Knibb reminded every one of her credentials over the middle distance on Saturday, as the American romped home to victory at the San Francisco T100.

Having spent the season so far focused on short-course racing, minus a mini excursion to Oceanside, the two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion made her presence felt at the third round of the T100 Triathlon World Tour.

Now, however, her focus returns to the Paris Olympic Games, which take place in the French capital at the end of July. There, Knibb will compete in both cycling and triathlon events, with medals in both disciplines on the cards.

Advertisement

“It did not feel easy”

Modest as ever at her finish line interview, Knibb said the win wasn’t as straightforward as she made it look, with her bike handling an area that she identified as a place to improve.

“It did not feel easy, but it’s a great course and atmosphere out there and I am really grateful to have done this race today. The swim, I dove in a little late and there was just bodies. I was given the advice that when you jump in, people tend to disperse here, but that didn’t happen, so I just committed to getting to the end.

“Imogen [Simmonds] got like 30 seconds on the rest of us in the swim, but I think seeing the men’s race really helped, because I kind of knew everyone would be up there and you never really have the opportunity to have the whole field exiting the water at the same time.

“On the bike, I told myself that I needed to know what 20 metres looked like, because I only have 45 seconds to pass. I wasn’t descending very well, I wasn’t taking the corners well, but I just tried to get better each lap and on the last one I nailed the uphill corner, which took five attempts, but I did it!’

“I just wanted to execute a good run”

Sometimes typecast as no more than a great cyclist, Knibb well and truly proved that wrong in San Francisco, as she does in every race, but producing a brilliant performance across the board.

After the race, Knibb said that a strong run was one of her priorities coming into the competition, adding that she had set a rate of perceived exertion (RPE) for each section of the course.

“I just wanted to execute a good run and run well. I wanted to see what the situation was after each lap and then make decisions from there.

“I had RPE’s for each portion of the course, that would vary based on where I was on the course.”

Advertisement

“The focus turns to Paris”

So far this season, Knibb has dominated at both IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside and the San Francisco T100, but had more mixed results on the World Triathlon Championship Series, finishing second in Yokohama and 11th in Cagliari.

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

A real contender for a medal in both the individual and mixed team relay event in Paris, the former World U23 Champion says that she has a plan for the coming months, with her focus firmly set on the Olympic Games.

“I have a very detailed plan that I do not know, but this was a good stop to give me room to play towards the back half of the year, but now the focus turns to Paris.”

Tomos Land
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.
Discover more
Challenge The Championship Marjolaine Pieree
How to qualify for Challenge The Championship – and why it should be on your triathlon bucket list
Cadomotus aero triathlon cycling shoes
Can your triathlon cycling shoes make you faster? How shoe choice could speed up your triathlon finish times
French Riviera T100 bike course Esterel
Is this the ultimate middle distance triathlon bike course? We rode the French Riviera T100 bike course and it’s EPIC
Ironman gear guide – everything you need to get to the finish line of a full distance triathlon
Challenge St. Pölten 2024 - image credit Jose Luis Hourcade / Challenge Family
Expert swim coach on the three most common swim mistakes age group triathletes make (and how to fix them!)
latest News
Sam Long St George 2024 photo credit Getty Images for IRONMAN
‘No No No’ – Sam Long says he felt ROBBED by swim cancellation at ‘69.1 Chattanooga’
IRONMAN World Championship 2024 Nice Age Group Swim Start
IRONMAN to review World Championship slot allocation model after fears raised for Age Group women
Jonny Brownlee / Jonathan Brownlee - Super League Triathlon London 2023
Did the Brownlee brothers nearly join pro cycling’s Team Sky after 2012 Olympic heroics?
Kristian Hogenhaug interviewed after The Championship 2025
Danish triathlon star highlights blistering bike split as key to The Championship success.
Alistair Brownlee - T100 San Francisco 2024 bike
Olympic triathlon legend Alistair Brownlee completes iconic Gralloch race in latest gravel test
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

Share to...