"We can now write that story together": Kasia Niewiadoma fully supports her husband Taylor Phinney's comeback dream

Taylor Phinney may soon return to result sheets of his favourite discipline - track. Supported by his wife and a star cyclist Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, the 35-year-old American aims for the Los Angeles Olympics in two years' time, to close off a career which started on track almost two decades ago.

When Taylor Phinney turner professional in 2011, it seemed as though he was destined to have the (time-trial) world at his feet. And indeed, the "6-foot-5 American giant" quickly found his spot in WorldTour as he became a runner-up at the 2012 World time trial Championships. At the age of 22, he came only six seconds short of a time-trial legend Tony Martin. Add to that Giro d'Italia pink jersey stint following a prologue victory, Olympic top-5 in both road events, and a growing reputation on cobbles, and you had a full-fledged super-talent.

And as quickly as Phinney's name rose to a stardom, it soon faded away. At 2014 National Championships, Phinney suffered a catastrophic leg injury which caused him to miss out an entire year of racing... and from which he had never fully recovered despite rare glimpses of brilliance until his retirement in 2019.

But now, the American changed his mind... somewhat. No, don't expect Phinney to make a sudden comeback to road at the age of 35, but besides occasional gravel start, the American has now officially communicated his intention to return for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles as a team pursuer.

Phinney's passion has always been the 4-kilometer individual pursuit, an event in which Phinney became two-time world champion in 2009 and 2010, beating future two-time ITT world champion Rohan Dennis. Yet, he was one year too late to race the last Olympic IP, as the IOC scratched the event from its itinerary after 2008 Olympic Games, breaking Phinney's heart. That's when the American fully devoted himself to road cycling.

Two decades later, the situation in Los Angeles remains unchanged with IP absent from its programme, but Phinney's ambition has also changed as he intends to compete in another four-kilometer event, the Team Pursuit. United States took a respectable 4th place at the 2025 World Championships, and Phinney hopes to be the final touch that will ensure stars and stripes return to podium in front of home crowds in 2028.

As Phinney himself admits, important to his decision has been his wife Katarzyna Niewiadoma-Phinney, who showed unwavering support for her husband's last professional dream: "I laughed it off at first, but with the support of my wife it started to grow. The track was where I first found my love - and my success - in the sport," Phinney said. "I've been training since November and I'm really looking forward to the next two years."

In an interview for IDLProCycling.com, the Polish rider beams with happiness that Phinney returns to active racing: "He supported me all those years after he stopped, so he knows how much effort it takes to lead a life as a top athlete."

Niewiadoma explains why the fire started burning for Phinney. "The Games are very special to him, and especially because the 2028 Olympics are in Los Angeles - because his parents competed at the 1984 Summer Olympics there. I'm really happy that we can now write that story together," she said with a smile.