Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleTaylor Phinney (USA) has hit the first real obstacle on his road to LA 2028. The 36-year-old and his Team USA teammates bowed out of the men’s team pursuit at the Track World Championships in Shanghai on Wednesday, beaten by France before the medal races even began.
ADVERTISEMENT
Phinney, new U23 World Champion Ashlin Barry, Grant Koontz and Anders Johnson clocked 3:51.029 in qualifying. They finished seventh of 18 nations, more than six seconds behind reigning world champions Denmark.
Read more below the photo!
Phinney and Barry failed to reach the medal races at the 2026 Track World Championships
Phinney's comeback stalled by a strong French four
A top-eight finish sent the Americans into the head-to-head first round against France. The French found almost two seconds on their qualifying ride and stopped the clock at 3:49.619. The US improved only slightly, to 3:50.916, and their Worlds were over.
It is a step back. Last year, Barry was part of the US squad that finished fourth at the Worlds, the nation’s best result since bronze in 1995.
Read also
Phinney on the reserve list for the Individual Pursuit
Phinney is listed only as a substitute for Friday’s individual pursuit, the event he won at the Worlds in 2009 and 2010. Before the championships, he said he planned to give his spot to Barry, whom he tipped for a medal.
Can Taylor Phinney still qualify for the LA Olympics in 2028?
The individual pursuit is no longer an Olympic event, so Phinney’s comeback depends entirely on the team pursuit. Shanghai was the first step in qualifying for the Games, where only eight nations will start the event.
On this evidence, the US sit inside that number, but only just. Before racing, Phinney admitted his squad didn’t know “how we’re to rank ourselves among our peers.” Now they do.
For Phinney, the stakes are personal. He needs a seat in a four-rider line-up. With a 19-year-old world champion already carrying the team, every remaining place will be fought over between now and LA.
Read also
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Rumours, speculation and guesswork: 2027 Tour de France route will be revealed live on October 22 in Paris
Vollering adds the Women’s European Championships road race jersey to her rainbow wardrobe
16-day Grand Tours, AI, VAR, drones and more: The UCI's new document has a potentially major impact from 2029 onwards
Quinn Simmons' Strava shows exactly what it takes to compete at the World Championships: ‘I said, Hey guys, anything is possible'
Despite losing the World Championships, Del Toro and Seixas rank high mentally and physically on the Pogačar scale
Latest Cycling News
🎥 Non-race vehicle once again on race route at Eneco Tour, just 4 days after mass protest
'It feels like coming home': Cecilie Uttrup Ludwig signs with Uno-X Mobility on 2 year contract
Taylor Phinney's comeback is on after 16 year hiatus: 'I’m actually part of the programme now'
Jayco AlUla's Alessandro Covi gets revenge on his old UAE team at the Giro del Veneto
Groenewegen not in the picture: Merlier outclasses competition in the Eneco Tour
Popular Cycling News
The Tour de France responds to the UCI's radical Grand Tour plan; the Giro and Vuelta are also opting out
Primož Roglič isn't sure whether he'll continue cycling, but his wife Lora has already spoken out.
British track star Matthew Richardson sent home before the Track Cycling World Championships for 'misconduct'
Sven Nys calls out cyclocross organisers for treatment of van der Poel and van Aert: 'Guys are going to turn their backs on the sport'
Richardson under official investigation after alleged racial slur and unpleasant behaviour towards teammates
Latest Comments
- The article calls the Giro the likely option, but Seixas has said the Tour is his lifetime goal. That seems a bit premature—wouldn’t the team want him back at the Tour after finishing fourth?gearguru3314-10-2026
- Five weeks between the Tour and Worlds sounds like plenty of time to recover and get ready again. I’d love to see him go for both.sprocketspiny14-10-2026
- Why does the Vuelta start just six days after the Worlds? Do riders ever compete in both, or is that turnaround generally too short?davidm14-10-2026
- He’s had an extraordinary season, but there’s no need to rush him into targeting everything at once. A gradual build towards the Tour could pay off in the long run.lindae14-10-2026
- That Worlds course sounds tailor-made for Seixas. Twenty ascents of Domancy is savage, and racing at home could make it a huge day for him.andrewf14-10-2026
- The Giro looks like a sensible next step: a chance to lead a Grand Tour team without the full weight of the Tour-Pogačar hype. But with Evenepoel and Del Toro potentially on the start list, it won’t be an easy podium.jennifer1914-10-2026
- I’m still learning about these races—was the lamppost on the course, or did he hit it after going off the road? Either way, a frightening crash, and I hope his recovery keeps moving forward.julien13-10-2026
- That “streetlights can put up quite a fight” line is some gallows humour. Incredible resilience from Caudell and everyone helping him through rehab.cyclechamp4513-10-2026
- The ECMO details really put the seriousness of the crash into perspective. It’s good to hear he’s making progress, and I hope the cycling community continues to support his family.raceready713-10-2026
- Walking and communicating after injuries this severe is a huge milestone. Wishing Ezra and his family strength for the long road ahead.bikebuffj13-10-2026
Loading