Finucane embraces speed, fashion, and hard work in quest to become greatest of all time: 'You're going out to perform'
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Follow us on GoogleEmma Finucane has not shied away from her goals in a candid round table interview before the World Track Championships which start today, October 14, in Shanghai. The 23-year-old from Wales will line up in three events: the team sprint, the individual sprint, and the keirin.
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Finucane picked up multiple European titles this year
Finucane has had most successful season of her career this year
Finucane, who was born in Carmarthen in southwest Wales, has had a particularly dominant season. She broke a world record in the flying 200m, becoming only the third woman in history to clock a time of below 10 seconds.
She went on to win a European title, three National championship titles, four Commonwealth game titles and multiple UCI World Cup races.
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It is therefore no surprise that she is keen to continue the winning streak.
Finucane did not hide ambitions ahead of World Championships
"I want to be the most successful British sprinter." For Finucane, it's that simple, and nothing else will do.
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She is already eyeing up Victoria Pendleton's nine world titles, saying, "I want to add more," in a round table interview.
But the Carmarthenshire local knows it won't be a walk in the park.
“I feel like, physically, I’m in a really good place. It’s all about mentally now executing every race, riding the people that are there. I think it’s going to be a really fast World Champs."
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Finucane is on a mission to become the greatest of all time
"I think people are going to come out with really quick times. I think the racing is going to be coming down to the line, but I’m ready to put up a fight and see what I can do."
Team GB's 'Class of 2002'
The BBC have questioned whether it's too early to coin the phrase "Class of 2002".
Golden girls Keely Hodgkinson, Amy Hunt, and Emma Finucane were all born in 2002 and between them can already boast 17 Olympic, World and European titles.
Finucane has publicly stated that she draws inspiration from sprinter Amy Hunt who is not only famous for collecting golds on the track, but also her academic prowess, and her trendy nails.
Keely Hodgkinson also pairs sporting magnificence with fashion, and it's something Finucane is looking to embrace.
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"Ultimately when I feel confident and unstoppable on the track, I feel like I can do anything," Finucane told BBC Sport.
"Like Keely [Hodgkinson] having her nails done and wearing her [specially designed for speed and fashion] suit, which I thought was iconic, and then Amy Hunt, she gets her nails done and people do their make-up routines before racing because at the end of the day you're going out to perform.
"We perform on the track and I think it's pretty cool that I feel empowered when I do it."
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Clarice WebsterEditor
Clarice has been following cycling her whole life, wroting about Thibaut Pinot (among others) for her university magazine while earning her masters in Journalism. She is passionate about furthering equality in sports coverage, and has taken huge inspiration from pillars of women’s cycling like Beryl Burton, Marianne Vos, and Laura Kenny.
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Latest Comments
- The article calls the Giro the likely option, but Seixas has said the Tour is his lifetime goal. That seems a bit premature—wouldn’t the team want him back at the Tour after finishing fourth?gearguru3314-10-2026
- Five weeks between the Tour and Worlds sounds like plenty of time to recover and get ready again. I’d love to see him go for both.sprocketspiny14-10-2026
- Why does the Vuelta start just six days after the Worlds? Do riders ever compete in both, or is that turnaround generally too short?davidm14-10-2026
- He’s had an extraordinary season, but there’s no need to rush him into targeting everything at once. A gradual build towards the Tour could pay off in the long run.lindae14-10-2026
- That Worlds course sounds tailor-made for Seixas. Twenty ascents of Domancy is savage, and racing at home could make it a huge day for him.andrewf14-10-2026
- The Giro looks like a sensible next step: a chance to lead a Grand Tour team without the full weight of the Tour-Pogačar hype. But with Evenepoel and Del Toro potentially on the start list, it won’t be an easy podium.jennifer1914-10-2026
- I’m still learning about these races—was the lamppost on the course, or did he hit it after going off the road? Either way, a frightening crash, and I hope his recovery keeps moving forward.julien13-10-2026
- That “streetlights can put up quite a fight” line is some gallows humour. Incredible resilience from Caudell and everyone helping him through rehab.cyclechamp4513-10-2026
- The ECMO details really put the seriousness of the crash into perspective. It’s good to hear he’s making progress, and I hope the cycling community continues to support his family.raceready713-10-2026
- Walking and communicating after injuries this severe is a huge milestone. Wishing Ezra and his family strength for the long road ahead.bikebuffj13-10-2026
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