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

Taylor Phinney, the former road racing prodigy, has announced his intention to return to competitive cycling, setting his sights on the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The 33-year-old American, who retired from the professional road peloton in 2019, aims to secure a spot on the USA Team Pursuit squad. This unexpected comeback marks a significant shift for Phinney, who has spent recent years pursuing artistic endeavors away from the professional circuit.

This news carries considerable weight given Phinney's pedigree. A two-time Olympian and former world champion on the track in the individual pursuit, his talent is undeniable, though his road career was marred by a severe injury in 2014. His return to the velodrome, specifically targeting the Team Pursuit, suggests a recognition of his enduring power and unique physiology, which could be invaluable for the specific demands of the discipline. For USA Cycling, a rider of Phinney's experience and raw horsepower, even after a hiatus, represents a potential boon for their Olympic ambitions on home soil.

Phinney's return is certainly ambitious, perhaps even quixotic. But if anyone can blend artistic reinvention with athletic prowess, it's the man who always rode to his own beat.