Paris Olympics: Kristen Faulkner to replace triathlete Knibb in women's road race for USA

Kristen Faulkner (EF Education-Cannondale) (Image credit: Snowy Mountain Photography)

USA Cycling announced on Tuesday that triathlete Taylor Knibb as opted to resign her position in the Olympic Games women's road race, due to take place on August 4 in Paris.

Knibb was the surprise winner of the women's individual time trial at the USA Cycling Pro Road National Championships in May, earning an automatic qualification for both the time trial and road race at the Paris Olympics.

However, Knibb lacks any international mass-start road racing experience. Kristen Faulkner, winner of two stages of the Giro Donne and a stage of the Vuelta a España, is the reigning US road race champion, and was selected to replace Knibb after making the US Olympic team for track cycling.

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Faulkner will join Chloé Dygert for the road race while Knibb and Dygert will compete in the individual time trial on July 27.

Dygert and Faulkner will also compete in the women's team pursuit.

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Laura Weislo is a Cyclingnews veteran of 20 years. Having joined in 2006, Laura extensively covered the Operacion Puerto doping scandal, the years-long conflict between the UCI and the Tour de France organisers ASO over the creation of the WorldTour, and the downfall of Lance Armstrong and his lifetime ban for doping. As Managing Editor, Laura coordinates coverage for North American events and global news.