Taylor Phinney takes big step in comeback as he makes USA Cycling squad for UCI Track World Championships

Taylor Phinney has taken a big step in his comeback goal of making the USA Cycling track squad for the LA Olympics in 2028 by earning a spot on the team for the upcoming 2026 UCI Track World Championships in Shanghai, China.

The endurance and sprint squads were announced on Thursday, October 1, and having come out of retirement in April, Phinney will make up part of the team pursuit squad alongside new U23 road race World Champion Ashlin Barry, Graeme Frislie, Grand Koontz, and Anders Johnson.

Phinney had been racing gravel for the past two seasons, having retired in 2019 from road racing, and has continued to do so into 2026, taking on Unbound Gravel in Kansas once again back in June.

The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!

The US team will also be sending a strong presence to China for the women’s endurance and sprint events, with former Olympic road race champion and reigning Olympic team pursuit gold medallist Kristen Faulkner as the standout name announced for Shanghai.

Fresh off the back of finishing 19th at the road Worlds in Montreal, Faulkner will be joined by talented 18-year-old Emma Jimenez Palos, Bethany Ingram, Megan Jastrab, Stephanie Lawrence and Anna Hicks for the endurance events.

After landing the USA’s best-ever result of seventh in the women’s team sprint in Chile last season, the trio of Kayla Hankins, Emily Hayes, and Hayley Yoslov will return to action together in China. Taking on the team event and individual sprints, they will also be joined by McKenna McKee.

Subscribe to Cyclingnews for comprehensive race coverage of both the UCI Road and Gravel World Championships, alongside the final monument of the season, Il Lombardia. Subscribers get unlimited access to exclusive analysis from our expert columnists, in-depth features and industry-leading tech insight. Plus, the Cyclingnews app lets you follow the action wherever you go! Join today.