Gabrielle Nikora-Baker

Gabrielle qualifies via AVG: 1:00:54 and is the definition of a “no free places” athlete — you have to take it from her. She’s strong across stations, smart with pacing, and doesn’t panic when races get chaotic.

Phoenix storyline: the disciplined racer. When others chase moments, Gabby chases execution. That matters in a Major where the loudest athletes aren’t always the best athletes. If she stays within range through the middle stations, she can climb late because she’s one of the women who keeps form under fatigue. Her best outcome in Phoenix comes if the race turns into a survival test — because her baseline is sturdy, and her head stays clear when others start bargaining.