Taylor Knibb credits triathlon legend Daniela Ryf for inspiration after Oceanside victory
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand LIVE
When your nearest competitor is more than 10 minutes behind you, it can sometimes be hard to find the motivation to keep pushing, especially in the depths of the second half of a middle distance race.
Luckily for Taylor Knibb, then, the bike course record set by Daniela Ryf at IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside was there to keep her driven, as the two-time IRONMAN 70.3 World Champion pushed herself to new heights on Saturday.
Eventually tying Ryf’s record to the second, Knibb crushed the course and her competitors to pick up a first win of the season, afterwards crediting the Swiss stars legacy for keeping her honest throughout the race.
“I’m grateful for a great race”
Finishing almost 11 minutes ahead of second place Emma Pallant-Browne, Knibb was in a league of her own last weekend, but was quick to applaud the efforts of her fellow competitors on the race course.
“I am grateful to have finished and grateful for a great race, the women were fantastic and so were the men racing in Oceanside.”
Coming home in a time of 4:09:55, Knibb beat over half of the professional men’s field in Southern California, and was more than 30 minutes quicker than all the women outside the Top 10.
“Trying to get the best out of myself is the whole goal”
On the topic of her bike leg, Knibb said it was extremely beneficial to have Ryf’s record in the back of her mind throughout the race.
(Getty Images for IRONMAN).
“I knew Daniela [Ryf] set the bike course record and that was in the back of my mind, especially the last 30-40 minutes and you have to say, it’s great for a competitor to motivate you and inspire you.
“She and her record were helping me over the last hour especially and even though I tied it, trying to get the best out of myself is the whole goal and that’s why we have competition and it is what it is!”
Watch Potter, Brownlee & Beaugrand as these triathlon superstars take on the world in the build up to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
LIMITED TICKETS – DON’T MISS OUT!
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
Ultimate sightseeing – the must-do city centre triathlons
TRI-FIT GEO Women’s Tri Suit Review – How does it fare in our quest for the ultimate long course kit?
Jonny Brownlee on the pool swimming drills to do now to get faster in open water
Let’s race… Challenge St Pölten
supertri E next gen talent – meet the 6 future superstars to watch in London
latest News
9 Apr 2024
Lionel Sanders says he is committed to the process after IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside victory
9 Apr 2024
IRONMAN Pro Series: Taylor tops the table following IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside win
9 Apr 2024
IRONMAN Pro Series: Sanders leads the rankings after IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside
7 Apr 2024
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside: Full finishing order as Knibb wins and Pallant-Browne has DSQ reversed
7 Apr 2024
IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside: Pro stars have controversial DISQUALIFICATIONS overturned
Kk