Emma Finucane, Britain's golden girl of track cycling, is ready to make history. The Olympic champion has announced her ambitious plan to break the women's flying 200m world record at next month's European Track Championships, bringing fresh excitement to the cycling world.

The current record stands at an incredible 9.976 seconds, set by China's Yuan Liying in March 2024, making her the first woman to break the 10-second barrier. Now Finucane wants to push those boundaries even further, and she'll have the perfect venue to do it.

The European Championships, taking place February 1-5 in Konya, Turkey, offers ideal conditions for record attempts. The velodrome sits 1,200 meters above sea level, where thinner air reduces drag. Its extra-wide track and steep banking help riders achieve maximum speed, making it a favorite destination for athletes chasing extraordinary times.

Finucane's inspiration comes from a deeply personal place. Last August, she watched her partner and teammate Matthew Richardson become the first person to break the nine-second barrier in the men's event at the same Turkish velodrome. "When I saw him go sub-nine and smash the world record, I was like, 'Ah, I want to do it,'" she shared with infectious enthusiasm.

The young champion has been training specifically for this moment, focusing intensely on top speed work with guidance from Richardson. While she admits she won't have all the advantages of a dedicated record attempt since she'll be competing in the individual sprint event, her determination remains unwavering.

Finucane's timing couldn't be better. After an extraordinary 2024 season that saw her claim European, world, and Olympic titles, plus three Olympic medals including team sprint gold, she took a strategic step back last year to focus on physical development. That patience is already paying dividends.

"Last year for me was a lot about growth," the 23-year-old reflected positively. The time allowed her to strengthen her connection with family in Wales, pursue personal projects like launching a podcast, and build a sustainable balance between training and life. Most importantly, it gave her the physical foundation to chase bigger dreams.

Now recharged and refocused, Finucane is embracing a fuller competition schedule in 2026. Beyond the European Championships, she'll compete at British Nationals, the Hong Kong World Cup, represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games, and tackle the World Championships in Shanghai.

"I know what it's like to win a World Championships and to win bike races, and I think I want to grow on that and feel that more," she explained warmly. "I want to be successful, but not only just this year—I want to be successful for many years to come."

Several other elite cyclists, including former record holder Lea Sophie Friedrich and Dutch star Hetty van de Wouw, are also eyeing the sub-10 second milestone, setting up an exciting rivalry that will push the sport forward.

Whatever happens in Konya, Finucane's journey exemplifies the beautiful combination of ambition, preparation, and joy that makes sports so inspiring. She's already a world record holder in the team sprint, and come February, the cycling world will be watching to see if she can add another extraordinary achievement to her growing legacy.