Carmarthen’s Emma Finucane is Women’s Sprint World Champion

EMMA Finucane cannot hide her joy at becoming Women’s Sprint World Champion 2023. Speaking by telephone today, Friday (Aug 11) she said: “I honestly couldn’t believe it, crossing the line I was in disbelief I had to look up at the board. Everything just fell into place, the whole week was amazing after getting second with the girls in the team sprint and then unfortunately crashing but then I think that gave me the motivation and determination to get that title. I really wanted it. It was super hard and I still can’t believe it.I don’t think it will sink in for a really long time.”

The winning margin in the Keirin event can be millimetres and milliseconds. Emma said: “I feel like the crowd were amazing, they really lifted me in that final lap. I could hear them and it literally gave me goose bumps. I just gave everything I could. Me and my coach worked really hard on tactics and processes at every race. I just took each race as it came and tried not to get ahead of myself. Obviously I did want to win but it is that balance of not thinking too far ahead but also wanting it.”

Emma gave her all on the track and she said she had nothing left to give when she crossed the finish line. Emma said: “There are pictures of me on the floor because my legs were so sore. It is super hard sprinting because it is zero to 100 in a couple of seconds. I left everything I could on the track and to get a rainbow jersey afterwards was just incredible and it made my dreams come true.”

Emma’s family had been at the event all week but unfortunately they had to return home but they watched emma on TV. Emma said: “Straight away afterwards I face timed my Mum and Dad and my brother and sister afterwards. I had so many people supporting me, all my friends were there in the crowd. It was definitely such a special moment being in front of a home crowd.”

Emma is the first woman to win the major title since Becky James won in 2013. It is a fact not lost on the girl from Carmarthen who started riding her little bicycle at the velodrome in Carmarthen dreaming of winning races. is ecstatic at becoming World Champion. We spoke to Emma a couple of weeks ago and she was modest about her numerous awards and medals and quietly confident she could do well at the World Championships. Carmarthen’s golden girl of cycling certainly did in the women’s sprint taking the gold medal and the title of World Champion. Emma said: “My phone has exploded. Victoria Pendleton messaged me and Becky James messaged me. Sir Chris Hoy interviewed me after the race. I had people like Kristina Vogel message me. It is incredible to have these people I look up to and have wanted to be since I was a little girl congratulating me. It was a bit of a surreal moment.”

Cycling greats have been saying Emma was one to watch and now she will be in the spotlight and the woman to beat. We asked if Emma now had more drive and more belief for the Olympics in 2024. She said: “For sure, I feel like the World Championship is a huge event. It is such a big title to win. This will definitely give me a lot of confidence and a lot of motivation for next year especially coming up to Paris. I feel like GB have stepped up this year especially coming so close to the World Title in the team sprint. We were really close to the Germans. I feel we have the momentum now just to carry it on, keep working hard. It is definitely a huge moment for me in my career and one I won’t forget. I got a gold medal and the World Champ jersey and a Tissot watch from the sponsor. I will be having some time off now because this season has been very long but very rewarding.”

Emma is in full swing for the Paris Olympics and the training regime will continue to be tough. Emma said: “Training might be pretty similar because whatever I did this last year has clearly worked for me. The Olympics is at a similar time next year. We might just change a few things but I am really excited to get stuck in after some time off. I think the motivation is really high for the whole team especially for me. My coaches have been superb”

Speaking about the future of the woman’s sport Emma said: “I would say just go for it and always believe in yourself. I have wanted it since I was a ten-year-old girl. I have had dreams about it. Now if young girls approach me I will give them my advice. I will go to my local club Tywi Riders at some point and try and help out as best I can. This sport is an amazing sport and I love it. Anyone trying to get into cycling just need to have a go, get down to your local track and enjoy it.”

Emma said that team GB will all be working hard towards the Olympics. She said: “I am so excited to see what Team GB could achieve now that we have had such a successful World Championships.”

Emma said that she was really emotional on the podium when they presented her with the jersey. She said: “I couldn’t believe that all the hard work form all of the support staff around me and I don’t think I will ever be able to put into words how it feels but for now I am going to take it all in and take all the opportunities that are presented to me. I can’t believe I am World Champion.”

Well Emma Finucane the girl who dreamt of becoming World Champion IS and Carmarthenshire, Wales and GB are extremely proud of you and your team.

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