WTF Happened to Taylor Phinney | American Cycling's Golden Boy

Taylor Phinney was a prototype of the wonder-kid generation. In his teens, he had already competed at the Olympic Games, won rainbow jerseys and signed a pro contract. Through his early 20s, Phinney claimed a number of high-profile wins at the UCI World Tour level including the prologue of the 2012 Giro d’Italia. After a brutal crash in 2014, Phinney reconsidered his sporting trajectory. After bowing out officially in 2019 to pursue art, Phinney has given us an interesting canvas to work with on today’s installment of the ‘WTF Happened To’ series.
Video features:
Ewan Wilson (@ewanswilson)
Taylor Phinney (@taylorphinney)
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[@suzannestack2592]

Taylor spent 15 minutes "autographing" my helmet at TDF 2018. Artified the whole back of it sitting on the spin bike after the time trial :-)

[@warrenkommers]

I worked with Taylor on some marketing videos while he was at BMC. He very much had a Lance/Diva way about him when we were filming. Then he had his injury, started painting, and now all my friends are going bikepacking with him.

[@ryanbontrager5944]

I had the honor to work as one of the USA team's mechanics at the 2010 World Championships in AUS when Taylor won the U23 TT and tied for 3rd in the Road Race. He was great, a true Pro even at that age. His relaxed, fun, goofy attitude was a great to be around during the event and his rides during both races are ones I'll always remember.

[@peggyfoster1495]

What a wonderfully reflective and mature young man. I wish him every success as an artist - he deserves it!

[@paulstrode3484]

Awesome story! I was Taylor's high school JV cross country coach the year he and his folks moved back to the states. He was so lanky and skinny that he couldn't keep his singlet from falling to one side or the other during races. I kicked him out of practice one day for forgetting his shoes. HUGE engine but he didn't seem quite sure how to use it. He most certainly would have eventually made a great middle distance runner on the track. Then he climbed onto a bike...

[@nofascistsonmywatch]

Yes, kind of hard to believe that he was only on the JV team, given that he developed into a World Champion Pursuiter not eons after that. ???

[@paulstrode3484]

@@nofascistsonmywatch I don’t think he was that into running.

[@kovar2344]

incredible to hear it from Taylor himself. Amazing episode!

[@JesseDahl]

Excellent video! Thank you for telling Taylor’s story. It seems like he’s where he is happiest now.

[@smanjik]

mature, honest and intelligent. Wonderful to hear his outlook.

[@traceyharper4499]

Taylor was so approachable at the Tour of CA. I happened to see the team getting ready to be announced in the park the evening before the 1st day. We talked for a bit and he was so real and hilarious. I appreciated his segments at the TdF too. So glad he’s found another path fulfilling. I hear him about injuries and how your body never feels the same again. Hoping I can find some of his art. Thanks for sharing Taylor! Wishing you all the best.

[@stefanbednarz4192]

This clip doesn't mention (or maybe does but I missed it) that Taylor is now married to Polish bicycle racer Kasia Niewiadoma, who just won women's TDF. They are a great couple. There is video on YT about their life together in Gerona. Look under Kasia Niewiadoma.

[@andrewhansen8921]

Great job. Tsylor is absolutely right sbout all the bubbles in life. Having raced against his dad, i know the talent pool well. Exploring other bubbles.... well, I am sailing the world now. Other bubbles are not always as they seem. Not what we dream of. Sometimes a huge disappointment when one gets to the middle of the said bubble. Do what you love snd love what you do.

[@michaelr148]

Such a talented and bright young man. Taylor was a joy for root for as a cyclist. I wish him much happiness in his current and future endeavors. Thanks for the excellent video @thecyclingdane.

[@SpiritualStuntman]

Taylor was fortunate to personally transcend the sport post crash. He is an amazing soul ❤ "Grew up around a family of athletes" is the understatement of the year😂🙏🏽♥️ really powerful content as usual. You got me with that fucking ending

[@yellowquantum4240]

Very deep and introspective interview! Shows you a champion is always a champion even with a full brush of paint. Super!!!!

[@texwallis]

Very well done, thanks. I've always played the "what if" game with that crash, but regardless I think he'd have left cycling earlier than expected as he's clearly a man of other interests.

[@carlosgaspar8447]

he's still involved with kasia.

[@texwallis]

@@carlosgaspar8447 yes he's Mr. Niewiadoma now.

[@seanmulderig8815]

Great video and interview! I love how genuine and honest Taylor is about his memories and the impacts of professional cycling on his life today.

[@klugtrane]

His first race at track nats was my first race at track nats. He won, I finished 49th :)

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

In the bigger picture, I would say you won.

[@carlosgaspar8447]

@@JamieSmith-fz2mz wtf

[@nblck3232]

At 2 m, who's taller, A.K.? ;) -U.

[@JamieSmith-fz2mz]

@@carlosgaspar8447 Where does winning US nationals get you?

[@klugtrane]

@@nblck3232 I think he had me by an inch, but I had him by at least 40lbs, even then...

[@allrounderbicycle7193]

Priceless summation of professional racing at 24:00 “But I can tell you from the inside that it’s just pushing through pain, and bluffing, and fucking with people, until you win”.

[@jascollinscork]

Great career video recap!! Taylor was a joy to watch racing before and after his crash!! Just his crash made him see sense eventually 😊

[@freshpickings]

I was so sure that he was going to have a cobble by the end of his career. I miss seeing him in the peloton.

[@bikeyclown4669]

I thought he would win at least one cobbled monument and maybe a TT world championship or two. He has the talent.

[@scotth3354]

He has two cobbles from his U23 wins at Roubaix

[@carlosgaspar8447]

EF-education abandoned him on his last roubaix despite his palmares in the race.

[@curtvaughan2836]

Great interview with a fine guy. I followed his parents back in the 80s and early 90s. Much appreciated, and I hope Taylor does well with his creative endeavors.

[@deathkampdrone]

Taylor is an interesting personality for sure. A mix between a hardcore elite sportsman and then something we can all relate to, a more lose side. Good to see that he is engulfed in art and creativity, surely it involves less broken bones! Cool segment :)

[@jkabanas]

Woah, lol I went to high school with Taylor. Worked next door to his parents later on. I knew he was getting big in the cycling world, but I had no idea!

[@tomfletcher4106]

Been really wanting to hear about Taylor. There are some harsh comments on here but he was a very young person under a lot of pressure and perhaps controlled by a lot of people who didn’t have his best interests at heart. A lot of young sports people have a lot of money but end up really messed up. Seems like he has found a good path and good luck to him. He’s still young so give him a chance and be kind everyone!

[@christopherludlam1602]

Great to see the guy so happy and content. Brilliant video, thank you

[@keithspangler4814]

Taylor, so so well said!

[@PBlaik]

Seems like a real genuine guy... Good story to tell!

[@ZENmud]

Davis and Connie were frequent visitors to Gerard's Bakery in Boulder, around 1978; I was the AM pastry chef that summer. ❤❤❤ Their compliments on my Strawberry Tarts were welcome 🎉

[@philippehensel7594]

Great viedo - thank you for sharing this unique and illuminating interview! Et joli drapeau Breton! ; )

[@pduronhamiltonarch]

Wow! Great interview Ewan! Good insightful questions

[@MichaelThorne_za]

Amazing to get the insight from the man himself. Great video!

[@rajiv2612]

Taylor's biggest achievement is stealing Kasia Niewiadoma's heart.

[@thecyclingdane]

Hahahaha

[@tos1x]

I had to scroll way too much for this!

[@shelleynichols9626]

I thought the absence of Kasia in this interview was glaring. Did Taylor request that she not be discussed? Thanks for reading and great video!

[@stefanbednarz4192]

Good one!!! Kasia just won TDF a couple of weeks ago.

[@stevehix1656]

I raced against his Dad,back in the 80s when the 7 eleven team made stops in the US. It was a total dream just to be out there with that caliber of racer's. He's Dad was quite and a true leader of the 7 Eleven team. Totally cool to see his son follow in his mom&dad's love of cycling. I wish him much success out side of racing.

[@ralphc1405]

Cool! Bet you saw them Huffy/Murray bikes and had no idea they (or most) of them were actually US built frames built by Colorado's Ben Serotta. So freaking cool that our US team had US bikes!

[@roadcyclist1]

​@ralphc1405 and now here we are at a point where american road cycling ceasts to exist. So very sad...

[@johnyboy2934]

One of my favorite rider in peloton.....he was good.....i'm glad he find what makes him happy,passion,hoppy to enjoy the remaining of his life beside cycling......but man he was good

[@roiben-ari2375]

That was a properly good interview

[@brettpatching]

Excellent interview! It was great to hear the story from Taylor himself.

[@miche_amico]

Great interview! I didn't watch cycling when he was involved but interesting to hear his story. It is indeed a beautiful, but sometimes brutal, sport.

[@mannyvelo]

loved this interview.

[@ezr168]

Freedom is when you realize that the life you're living is not the right path anymore and the ability to pivot into the next passionate direction.

[@notreally2406]

*you're

[@jacklalalaful]

Taylor Phinney sounds like he smoked a whole bowl before the interview

[@raykleiner3151]

Fantastic i interview. Thanks for posting.

[@dougulrey6880]

Good video, I wondered myself. Thanks!

[@walmyvlad2966]

That's nuts. I was literally thinking this on yesterdays ride. Good for him. He did what he could which is better than most. So where's the next American sensation for world cycling???

[@thecyclingdane]

Golden generation looking like its developing nicely now with Sheffield, Simmons, Powless and Lamperti

[@BoxCarBoy12]

@@thecyclingdane What about Sepp Kuss? He's arguably bigger and more successful already than any of the guys you mentioned

[@MikeStarr1000]

He burnt out, found a softer lifestyle. Then says, "nobody cares about Paris Nice." What a strange thing to say. btw- Fantastic vid guys

[@Ciupremo]

Excluding Tour De France and Ronde or Paris Roubaix, no one cares... Even for the cyclists.. top 3 in the world maybe, all the rest is unknown

[@MarlowWhere]

It sounded to me more like a comment about how he sees cycling and its role in his life. Cycling ultimately doesn't matter to most people and racing isn't the most important thing at the end of day.

[@veronicasiegfried2712]

Great video! What a good insight from someone who has been there.

[@XBKLYN]

Thanks for the video...I usually view pro-cyclists as unidimensional, single-minded robots (including Phinney) but now I have a different opinion of him and glad to see he's moved on gracefully. Many pros don't make the transition back to civilian life without serious issues. All the best.

[@TheSteinbitt]

Any examples of poor transitions? Outside superstars such as lance, ulrich and pantani it doesn’t seem to be a problem.

[@johnevans6399]

Superb. Thank you.

[@peterf1]

What a great video and interview. I haven't followed the CD in a while so very glad to see it has grown. Taylor, it goes without saying, is a unique guy. But he shouldn't be seen as someone who 'gave up.' I think from his Dad's illness, to his injury, a light bulb simply went off with the message that he doesn't have to ask any one's permission to be happy.

[@sgeorge3167]

I raced against Taylor Phinney in what I think was one of his first races at the Stazio Ball fields in Boulder Colorado. It was a cat 4 race and he wasn't in the category that long. I wanted to get back into racing at the time and previously raced at a higher category and it was the first race of the season. I had been training but there was a huge party the night before and I was hung over. It was an insanely windy March Day and on the first lap when we went uphill and turned 90 degrees right a huge gust of wind blew a rider over...that's where Taylor Phinney attacked and four of us went with him. We lapped the field but I couldn't hold the wheel of the other 4 and finished 20 seconds behind for 5th, of course Taylor won. Riding on training rides in Boulder especially the "Bus Stop" ride you frequently ride with established pro's but that was the only time I witnessed the metoric rise of a huge talent and it was cool to be in the race instead of watching from the sidelines. His Dad was on the sidelines cheering him loudly!

[@MarlowWhere]

Just think if you hadn't been hungover

[@cyclingninja6780]

“Where are you right now..?” “ in another dimension….cuz I’m high af”

[@jamesfiegel9675]

OK Dhead

[@mattygee5000]

Another example of how many stars need to align for anyone to be/remain at elite level of sport

[@rwarmfield]

A really nice intimate interview. I was a huge Taylor fan when he raced and a huge fan of him now with his new endeavors. I met his dad in Philly in the late 80's during one of the "corestates" races there when on team 7-11. I can relate to Taylor's career change first hand. Moving to a new more creative career after your mind says..."yeah enough of this, this was really great, no regrets but it's time to try this other thing that is really important to me as well." CHAPEAU DC!

[@paulrigsbee4571]

Great expose!! Saw him and his father race many times in the US.

[@5filliou]

Nice interview. Makes perfect sense to me -- is there more to life than what bike racing has to offer? Hell ya. But hard core cycling has such amazing intensities and weird pleasures, and like he says, I wonder if a lot of cyclists are even aware of these. I wonder if he is still on the bike, and if he has some interesting rides now that he is free to do it on his own terms.

[@philipdresser5766]

There is a comment above that mentions bikepacking.

[@thincrustpizza]

always good to here from taylor

[@vincentkrause7097]

Tejay van Gardren was the same Story.

[@conordennehy8121]

bro dropped acid once and became an artist

[@SARGEinc]

Once😂

[@Handletaken4]

He is 6'4" tall and they convinced him to ride a 56cm bike. He crashed out of seasons 3 times minimum. Most pros cannot ride a line and tiny frames are super dangerous

[@ReVoltaire]

Love his art work. His ceiling is probably Basquiat 2.0. He doesn't need to update his "whereabouts" every day, but my "weed voice" detector suggests he's probably still self-medicating.

[@freddyjisp9420]

High as a kite

[@MarlowWhere]

"Self medicating"...He's marinating himself to become a real gravel crusty! Duh!!

[@paulhauck9515]

Fantastic

[@thomaspeterman3073]

He sounds like he has found his passion. I’m happy for him.

[@freddyjisp9420]

Bong hits!

[@joshuakazfields4374]

I met Taylor several time working the Amgen tour of California and he’s definitely a Diva. You could kinda see he really didn’t want to be there.

[@cesarjom]

Anyone that watched Taylor race before and then after his major crash injury in 2014 could notice the shift in his attitude, competitiveness and aggressiveness on the bike.

[@andrew6889-p5c]

Cycling should be fun. That’s what I hate the most about PEDs. It’s just riding your bike. It should be fun. If you are torturing yourself and health for this, you are doing it wrong.

[@Ciupremo]

What you are writing is amateur cycling, not professional cycling

[@osbogosley]

In the later '90's I rode with 3 generations of Phinny's in Austin on a casual club ride.

[@Sills71]

When Lance is your hero you will end up disillusioned... his dad and mom did not tell him about the doping? really?

[@savagepro9060]

actually: coping with doping

[@biggertree7063]

Art is a nice release from any competitive background.

[@savagepro9060]

not when you're competing to sell your work

[@biggertree7063]

@@savagepro9060 Then you're just a purveyor of decors not an artist.

[@jamesfiegel9675]

⁠​⁠@@savagepro9060 Than ur a salesman not a painter…true artist….dope.

[@lukewalker1051]

Cycling at the elite level is what Taylor said. Pushing through pain and f_cking with people until you win. A blood sport. Not for the faint of heart. Top riders do it until it no longer makes sense or their body doesn't let them compete at the highest level. As an aging cyclist at the amateur level, I don't feel like doing repeat intervals any longer either. 😊 PS. people can be extremely different in temperament and personality and interests. Contrast Lance Armstrong with Taylor Phinney. Their personalities couldn't be more different. I kind of get Taylor's soulful artist vibe or at least try to understand his flower child persona, but to me, Lance is more cut out for crushing souls and beating the world. The mind controls the body. I personally couldn't stand Taylor's personality when he was doing TV commentary. But I am not a flower power personality type. When I watch Lance's podcasts with big George, those two guys make a lot more sense to me than Taylor.

[@trentvlak]

Excellent video, thank you.

[@Forested-pz9cp]

Such as shame…slowly killing off all those brain cells…and those majestic lungs are getting torched with all the weed….

[@englishteacherdon]

I am trying to figure out what on earth did I just see? Something is not right. He seems deeply pained personally about something. I don't think we have the full story yet.

[@ricardoesntcare]

to me, he just sounds like he had an enlightening trip on LSD while recovering from his crash, and just completely mellowed out and realigned his priorities

[@carlosgaspar8447]

he supports his girlfriend at the races now.

[@stevevarga8621]

Did you watch the whole video? He pretty much explains everything. Cycling with all the crashing and having a near death experiences along with the long gruelling recovery is simply not worth it. A pro cyclist life is not easy. If you’ve lost your motivation you have to quite. You can’t fake it.

[@ehyouman]

one of the few pro riders to speak out about the rampant marginal gains used to this day in the peleton that's wtf happened

[@dilligaf2818]

thanks great vid and insight.

[@farcinue]

His younger sister was briefly on the national xc ski team too. If Taylor and Kasia have a love child, it will be a pure gc rider that can climb and time trial like a ubercyclist.

[@oscarsanchez1327]

The only thing that happened to Phinney is that he's got strong principles.

[@vincentkrause7097]

WTF happend to Gerald Ciolek from winning Milan San Remo as an underdog from fading away at Conti level

[@alexandra4334]

Great video, good job.

[@anthonyharris483]

Watched his dad Davis and mom Connie throughout their careers.

[@keithburt7874]

Phinney was Spectacular in the Giro Italia, such great fulfillment O/O°

[@keithburt7874]

We compared Scars at Interbike, inspiring each other,,,, Peace3ed

[@liamhotspur9182]

Great video, thanks for uploading! I didn't even know that guy... Well you sell your youth and may get trophies in return...

[@MorgusVR]

I volunteered as a bike escort in Chattanooga, TN at the time of his crash, I wasn’t out on the course this day though. It was shame one of us did this to him. I still have questions about the escorts they put on the course that day. I don’t think they chose the most veteran group to ensure the safety of peloton that day. It was a shame to see him go down for a stupid mistake on the Moto riders part. Wish our group had been part of it, I doubt our highly veteran lead rider would have made that same mistake.

[@brianbooth4435]

Nice Besquiat inspired painting!

[@johndef5075]

Great reading the comments from all the "pro" cyclists in here.....

[@JohnathanFreter]

I saw him planted into the guardrail posts coming down lookout mountain. I thought he was dead. I’ll never forget the sight of a lanky red figure wrapped around the posts below the Armco. It’s just started sprinkling at the top of the downhill and I had a terrible feeling so I backed off slightly, with a quick right-left, my fears confirmed.

[@horyzontzdarzen4628]

Taylor + Kasia = dziecko - Mistrz Olimpijski, Mistrz Świata, zwycięzca TdF, Giro, Vuelta

[@tourdechi]

Lance is still a mythical figure

[@fmulhare]

He looks like Frank Zappa!

[@aminostruth3494]

Dude has dropped a bunch of psychedelics since retiring and has found his calling. Good for him tbh!

[@renelucas1664]

and the weed, total stoner!

[@TheSteinbitt]

I don’t think he waited until retiring before hitting the drugs, he was getting quite out there on interviews the last couple of years, and performance plummeted:p

[@reflectionsdetail]

I would love to stop by the studio when I'm in Girona this June, is that possible?

[@andrewsandoz8005]

Well now I know...thx!

[@JTMarlin8]

Vino was a known doper and most assuredly cheated his way to gold at the olympics, which cost Phinney the bronze.

[@vicbrock1277]

ok, my favorite cyclingdane video! Still wondering about time w/ cool polish girlfriend though.... ; )

[@drewbuffington]

He’s just too cool for school…

[@nathanmartin952]

Was such a sad crash.

[@savagepro9060]

WTF Happened to the other guy on thecyclingdane?

[@helgebungert4497]

The only rider who trained on RPE !

[@DaveCM]

I have one of his water bottles. He handed it off at the Worlds in VA. Maybe, if the perfect cloning, I can clone him.

[@johndidier7849]

Should be WTF happened to Danny Summer hill ?

[@DavidVidaurri]

❤❤

[@spicybiker]

0:33-0:38 is why!!!!

[@skinthekat0530]

I think he retired and cheers on his partner Kasia Niewiadoma

[@stefanbednarz4192]

Yeah, you are right. She just won the TDF.