EMMA FINUCANE: SMASHES 200M WORLD RECORD WITH 9.759s RIDE

3 February 2026: British track sprinter Emma Finucane has shattered the women’s flying 200 metre world record, becoming the fastest woman in history over the discipline with a time of 9.759 seconds at the European Track Championships in Konya, Turkey.

Finucane’s performance represents a dramatic reduction on the previous world record and firmly places the women’s flying 200 m well inside sub-10-second territory. The ride was delivered during sprint qualification rather than a dedicated record attempt, underlining the scale of the achievement in a championship racing environment.

The record was set at the Konya Velodrome, a venue that has rapidly established itself as one of the fastest tracks in the world. Its altitude and favourable air density significantly reduce aerodynamic drag, allowing riders to sustain higher peak speeds through the timed section. Konya has already been the site of multiple record-breaking performances in recent seasons.

Finucane had previously stated her intention to target the flying 200 m world record if conditions aligned, despite the event primarily serving as a qualifying tool for match sprint racing. Her focus remained on championship success, but the qualifying ride provided an opportunity to fully exploit the fast conditions and her top-end speed.

Unlike controlled record attempts, sprint qualifying at major championships involves limited recovery, fixed schedules and the pressure of immediate progression through competition rounds. Finucane’s ability to deliver a world-record performance within this context highlights both her physical condition and her ability to execute under pressure.

In preparation, Finucane adjusted her training emphasis to prioritise sustained maximum velocity rather than purely explosive starts. This approach aligns with the specific demands of the flying 200 m, where riders must build speed gradually and maintain peak output across the timed lap.

The new record carries significant symbolic weight within women’s sprint cycling. The ten-second barrier has long been viewed as a psychological threshold, and Finucane’s 9.759s ride moves the discipline decisively beyond it, redefining expectations for future generations of sprinters.

The performance adds to an already exceptional career that includes Olympic gold and multiple major international medals. The world record further cements Finucane’s position as one of the dominant sprint riders of the modern era.

Despite the historic ride, Finucane remained focused on her wider objectives at the European Championships, where sprint medals remain the primary goal. The record was described as a major personal milestone, but not a distraction from the demands of championship racing.

The timing of the record is also notable given forthcoming UCI equipment and safety regulation changes expected in future seasons. Some within the sport believe these changes may make further reductions in flying 200 m times more difficult, potentially giving additional longevity to records set under current regulations.

Finucane’s 9.759-second ride is likely to influence how elite sprinters approach qualification rounds at high-speed venues, with increased emphasis on maximising flying 200 m performance when conditions allow.

Her performance at Konya stands as a landmark moment in women’s track sprinting, demonstrating the rapid progression of speed, preparation and execution at the highest level of the sport.

This article is an independent summary of reporting originally published by Cycling Weekly.

Original source:
Cycling Weekly, 3 February 2026