'The old horse still has some kick' – Taylor Phinney announces track racing comeback as he targets 2028 Olympic Games

Taylor Phinney has announced a remarkable return to track cycling with the ambitious goal of representing Team USA at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The former professional road racer, who retired in 2019 after a nine-year career with teams such as BMC, Cannondale, and EF Education First, is reigniting his passion for the velodrome. Phinney’s career highlights include stage victories at prestigious races like the Giro d’Italia and multiple US time trial championships, alongside two world titles in the Individual Pursuit on the track in 2009 and 2010. Phinney’s decision to return to track racing comes after a recent foray into gravel events, where he has shown promising form, including a seventh-place finish at the Sahara Gravel stage race. His announcement on social media revealed that what began as a casual return to cycling evolved into a serious Olympic ambition. He credited USA Cycling and coach Allen Lim for inspiring the comeback, as well as the support of his wife, professional cyclist Kasia Niewiadoma, which helped transform the initial idea into a concrete goal. A key motivation behind Phinney’s return is the evolution of the Olympic track programme. His former speciality, the Individual Pursuit, was removed after the 2008 Games, prompting him to focus on road racing. Now, with the Individual Pursuit no longer an Olympic event, Phinney aims to join the USA’s Team Pursuit squad, which has been making significant progress internationally. He expressed enthusiasm about rejoining a team environment and adapting to the demands of track racing after several years away, highlighting the positive energy within the current squad. Looking ahead, Phinney acknowledges the challenges of regaining peak form, particularly in refining his position and rebuilding fitness. Nonetheless, he remains optimistic about his prospects and is committed to contributing to the team’s success in World Cup events and Olympic qualification efforts. Whether or not he secures a spot on the final LA28 roster, Phinney views this comeback as a meaningful chapter in his cycling career, driven by passion and a desire to close the loop on his sporting journey.