76-year-old Ironman World Champion recovering from bike crash in Arizona
Canadian Ironman and 70.3 world champion still aiming for 70.3 worlds in Taupo
Photo by:
Kevin Mackinnon
Canadian Bob Knuckey was the oldest finisher at last year’s Ironman World Championship in Nice, winning the men’s 75 to 79 age category in 14:57:40, a time that would have placed him third in the men’s 70 to 74 age group. He’s a two-time Ironman 70.3 world champ, and also won the 70 to 74 age group at the Ironman World Championship in Kona in 2018.
Knuckey has been training in Tucson, Arizona with his coach Barrie Shepley for the last three months. On the weekend, during his final ride before heading back home to Caledon, Ontario, Knuckey crashed just 4 km from home.
Knuckey says he’s not sure what happened, but he’s “broken seven ribs, dislocated one finger and injured his shoulder.”
“We have nothing but great things to say about all the medical staff that have been taking care of Bob,” says Shepley. “Knuckey amazed the doctors how quickly he was able to get out of ICU and is already walking and doing rehab exercises for his shoulder. The broken ribs are going to be wickedly painful for the next seven to eight weeks and we are already preparing for trouble sleeping and moving until the ribs heal and re-fuse.”
Knuckey qualified for the Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Taupo, New Zealand at Ironman 70.3 Oceanside, where he won his age group by 45 minutes with his 6:30:04 finish.
“I am lucky that everyone in Tucson have been so amazing at taking care of my medical treatments and while I am disappointed with the setback after being so fit in April, I have lots of time to be ready for the December World Championships,” says Knuckey.