Noah Lyles has always been one to watch. Whether it be his hot strides on the tracks or his hot takes off the track. But this season, while his hot takes have rained on everyone from Tyreek Hill to Michael Johnson to Fred Kerley, he hasn’t had the chance to show much for himself as the 2025 season continues. So what is the reigning world champion using his free time for while his rivals are breaking records? Well, he is doing something special this season. This time, he is working not on his speed but on himself.

In a recent conversation with Cam Newton, Lyles opened up about what he calls his Achilles’ heel: his block starts. “That’s working on your weakness,” he said. “Blocks are my weakness.” It’s not a lack of effort; it is far from it. Lyles made it clear that he obsesses over his start, watching tape, comparing mechanics, and evaluating why others excel in those first 30 meters. “I know it’s my weakness,” Lyles admitted.

“I study that thing more than the back of my hand. I know it better than the back of my hand,” said the Olympic gold medalist. And this isn’t just casual self-awareness; it’s a deep dive into performance science. And Lyles isn’t just looking at himself; he is also introspecting on his rivals. He’s fascinated by how the world’s best starters operate, how they fire off the blocks with pinpoint neuromuscular precision.

“They are extremely strong,” he said, describing elite starters. “They can activate their nervous system to fire exactly how they want at the exact time that they say go, and they can stay in that moment.” But Lyles knows their edge comes at a cost. “What’s hard for them is that when they stand up and they ask for more, they have already used it,” the US track sensation further added. 

Delving deeper into the topic, Lyles compares it to a NOS boost in Fast and the Furious. Explosive, but short-lived. Lyles, by contrast, sees himself as a top-speed monster. “I’m a top speed guy. For days,” the 100m champ said, proudly owning his greatest weapon. He even ranks himself among legends, saying only three sprinters—Usain Bolt, Tyson Gay, and Yohan Blake—have ever matched or surpassed his maximum velocity.

Still, he doesn’t rest on that advantage. Instead, he’s channeling his energy into sharpening what comes before the top gear kicks in. With the World Championships looming and automatic byes in both the 100m and 200m already secured, Lyles isn’t rushing to race. He’s using every minute to get sharper, smarter, and stronger. While the world watches medals and times, he’s busy studying weakness like a strength.

And that might be what separates good from legendary. Now, with Lyles focused so much on self-analysis, it remains to be seen in what avatar he turns up when the Olympic gold medalist comes back to track at the London Diamond League.

Can Noah Lyles light up London with a 100m comeback?

After a quiet start to 2025, Noah Lyles is ready to shift gears. And he’s chosen London as his launchpad! The reigning Olympic and World 100m champion will line up in the men’s 100m at the London Diamond League on July 19, marking a high-stakes return to the event that redefined his sprinting legacy. Last year, Noah stormed to a 9.81 win at the same venue, then his personal best, just two weeks before his golden sprint in Paris.

That run in London, subtle tailwind and all, hinted at a new chapter in his career. The 100m was no longer just a side mission. It was his headline. Now, after a cautious start to the season that saw him open with a 45.87 in the 400m and withdraw from the Atlanta City Games due to a “tight ankle,” Lyles is ready to return to his specialty.

And for him, London isn’t just another race. It’s indeed a checkpoint on the road to Tokyo. “My road to defending my world titles in Tokyo in September goes through London,” Lyles said. He even added, “I’ve had great experiences there the last two years, running some of my fastest times, and I look forward to another in July. See you there!”

With the World Championships fast approaching and the clock ticking on another historic season, London will be Lyles’ first major sprint test of the year. No world leader yet, no public 100m since Paris. But Lyles knows where to reignite the fire. And he’s betting on the British track to light the fuse.