The national championships are always a reunion of sorts. Contestants converge on the American host town from all over the country and, for those competing on the WorldTour, from overseas. It’s often a unique opportunity for old friends and teammates to catch up, and for the best domestic talent to see how they stack up against those competing at the WorldTour and Continental level.
Yet at the start of the women’s elite time trial race this morning, a new face appeared. Making her pro cycling debut in the colors of Trek-Segafredo, the recently signed Taylor Knibb quickly found herself in the hot seat as she set a blistering time of 31:41 at the completion of the 14.6-miles course.
