WATT WORKS FOR ME - Emma Finucane

The newly crowned four-time national champion tells us how she’s become Britain’s leading light in the sprint events

- Chris Marshall-Bell

Briefly, what’s your cycling story? 

I started cycling aged eight, riding cyclo-cross and road, then aged 10 I took up track at the Geraint Thomas Velodrome. I was an endurance rider – I loved bunch sprints – but the GC academy coach Matt Crampton recommended that I apply for the sprint academy aged 16 and I was accepted. I won the junior Euros 500m TT in my first year, realised I was good at sprinting, and this last year has gone a bit crazy. I’ve got confidence ahead of the Worlds later in the year.

To what do you credit your recent success?

Consistency. I’ve been able to train regularly, had no injuries, not missed any sessions, and been able to manage everything demanded of me. Our new coach Kaarle McCulloch has been amazing for the squad, too. She’s made me approach racing differently: I am now more process- and less outcome-driven; I now look at the tactics and how I want to win. That different outlook to training has been really key.

What does a typical week look like?