IM 70.3 Oceanside: Taylor Knibb kept going because of bike record Daniela Ryf

After just a few kilometers on the bike, the excitement was actually completely gone in the women’s race of Ironman 70.3 Oceanside: Taylor Knibb was riding so strong that she was already putting everyone within a few minutes within a few kilometers, and her lead only grew larger in the end, to almost 11 minutes at the finish line. Yet there was a reason Knibb kept pushing constantly: Daniela Ryf’s bike course record.

During the ninety kilometers on the bike – on a rather tough course, including a number of tough climbs – Knibb always had that record in mind. “I knew Daniela 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,” said Knibb, who ultimately did not improve the record but matched it to the second with a bike time of 2:18:00. “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!”