The third place finisher in last season’s women’s WTCS is on the comeback trail.
Last June, Taylor Knibb discovered that she had suffered a stress reaction in her foot ahead of WTCS Leeds. After initially being advised to avoid running for two to six weeks, the reaction did not subside. Eventually, upon a new medical consultation, Knibb received the green light to run regardless and so returned to a full swing of autumn races.
Amidst those races she won consecutive medals at WTCS Cagliari and WTCS Bermuda. At both races, as well as the WTCS Final in Abu Dhabi, Knibb demonstrated her superlative ability on the bike.
However it later transpired that the stress reaction had become a stress fracture and the prognosis changed. Knibb was presented with the choice of eight weeks of no activity in a weight-bearing boot or surgery. In January, she opted for the latter.
With a screw now in her fifth metatarsal, Knibb had a six week block of minimal exercise. Since then, she has been cleared to return to training and has built back up towards her standard workload.
Next up, Knibb is due to race WTCS Yokohama in four weeks. Last year she finished 6th in Yokohama having earned a maiden WTCS win in the city in 2021. Having not raced since November, her form will be a little uncertain when she toes the start line.
If she is anywhere near the highs of last autumn, though, the rest of the women’s field will have to brace themselves for another pulverising bike split.
Watch Knibb’s full video below:
As an aside, for any fans looking for a book recommendation, Knibb praised Good for a Girl by Lauren Fleishman.
