EMMA FINUCANE: I WANT THE 200M WORLD RECORD

12th January 2026: British track sprinter Emma Finucane has confirmed that she will target the women’s flying 200 metre world record during qualifying at the upcoming European Track Championships in Konya, Turkey. While the flying 200 m is not itself a medal event, Finucane has stated that she wants to use the opportunity to attempt a historic sub-10 second ride.

The current women’s flying 200 m world record stands at 9.976 seconds, set by Yuan Liying of China at the UCI Track Nations Cup in Konya in 2025. Finucane believes the combination of her current form, targeted preparation, and the fast conditions at the Konya Velodrome make this an ideal moment to attempt to better that time.

The Konya Velodrome is known as one of the fastest tracks in the world. Situated at altitude (approximately 1,200 metres above sea level), the venue benefits from reduced air density, which lowers aerodynamic drag and allows riders to achieve higher top speeds. The track’s geometry and surface have already contributed to several exceptionally fast performances in recent seasons.

Finucane’s interest in a record attempt was strongly influenced by her partner, Matthew Richardson, who set the men’s flying 200 m world record at the same venue in 2025. Richardson’s time of 8.857 seconds was achieved during a dedicated session at Konya and represented a major milestone in track sprinting. Witnessing that ride encouraged Finucane to consider what might be possible in the women’s event under similar conditions.

Speaking ahead of the championships, Finucane explained that she is keen to “go sub-10” and see how close she can get to, or potentially surpass, the existing record. However, she has also emphasised that her primary focus remains on sprint racing rather than on the flying 200 m as a standalone goal.

In preparation, Finucane has adjusted aspects of her training. Rather than concentrating heavily on explosive standing starts, which are critical for match sprint racing, she has placed more emphasis on top-end speed and sustaining peak velocity. This approach is more closely aligned with the demands of a flying 200 m effort, where riders build speed over several laps before entering the timed section at maximum pace.

Finucane has also benefited from technical insight and experience shared by Richardson following his own record performance. While their events differ, the underlying demands of riding at extreme speed on a high-altitude track share many similarities, particularly in terms of pacing, line choice, and aerodynamic consistency.

Despite targeting the record, Finucane has acknowledged that any attempt will take place within a competition environment rather than a purpose-built record session. This means the time will be set during qualification for the sprint tournament, with limited control over scheduling and recovery compared to a dedicated attempt. As a result, the record remains an ambition rather than a guaranteed objective.

The European Track Championships in Konya will mark Finucane’s first major competition following a period in which she deliberately reduced her racing commitments. After a demanding Olympic cycle, she chose to focus on training and development rather than chasing a full international calendar.

Looking beyond the Europeans, Finucane has outlined a busy programme for 2026. Her plans include the British National Track Championships, a UCI Track Nations Cup round in Hong Kong, the Commonwealth Games (where she is expected to represent Wales), and the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Shanghai. These events form part of her longer-term build towards the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

The timing of a potential record attempt is also significant in the context of upcoming regulation changes. New UCI equipment and safety regulations are expected to come into force in 2027, and there is speculation that these changes could marginally reduce achievable top speeds. Finucane has suggested that this makes the current season a particularly attractive window for record-breaking performances.

If Finucane were to break the world record, it would represent not only a personal milestone but also a symbolic moment for women’s sprinting. A time below ten seconds has long been viewed as a psychological barrier in the women’s flying 200 m, similar to the sub-nine-second barrier that existed in the men’s event prior to Richardson’s ride.

Whether or not the record falls, Finucane’s intention to target it highlights both the evolving performance standards in elite track sprinting and the growing confidence of women riders to pursue outright speed milestones. The European Track Championships in Konya now promise to be a focal point not just for medals, but for potential history.

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

Original source:
Tom Davidson, "I want to try and break a world record – Emma Finucane targets flying 200m record at European Track Championships", Cycling Weekly, 7 January 2026