logo
Matthew Richardson: British track cyclist aiming to become 'fastest of all time'

Matthew Richardson: British track cyclist aiming to become 'fastest of all time'

BBC Newsa day ago
How fast can you cycle on your bike and how far do you think you could go?Well, one British sprinter is hoping to travel quicker than any track cyclist has ever gone before. Matthew Richardson has announced he is aiming to break the 200m flying start time trial world record.He will attempt the feat at an event organised by British Cycling at the Konya Velodrome in Turkey next week.Do you enjoy cycling? What do you think of the record attempt? Let us know in the comments below.
'It would be cool to be the fastest of all time'
Richardson won two silver medals and a bronze for Australia at last summer's Paris Olympics, before switching his nationality to Great Britain.He is attempting to break the current record that stands at 9.088 seconds.It was set last year by Dutch cyclist Harrie Lavreysen during qualifying for the men's sprint at the Paris Olympics.Lavreysen then went on to take the gold medal in the event.Richardson hopes to be the first person in history to go below the nine-second barrier - which would require speeds of more than 80 kilometres per hour.However, he said he was "confident" and looking forward to the challenge.He explained: "It has a nice ring to it, being the fastest track discipline."It's in a flat 200 [metres], you reached the highest peak speed possible on the track. It'd be cool, if I do it, to call myself the fastest of all time."Richardson won't be the only British cyclist looking to break a record on 14 August - two other riders will also be attempting world records.Charlie Tanfield will attempt the elite hour mark - which is the record for the longest distance cycled in one hour on a bike from a stationary start.While para-cyclist Will Bjergfelt will try to break the same record in the C5 category.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

How cycling is providing hope to Rwanda's female riders
How cycling is providing hope to Rwanda's female riders

BBC News

time2 hours ago

  • BBC News

How cycling is providing hope to Rwanda's female riders

Olivia Maniragena has been racing through life, dealing with a lot at a young at 14 and responsible for raising three siblings, she also became a mother of two before reaching 21, the Rwandan has found stability through cycling and is gearing up for the UCI Road World Championships in her homeland next month, where she is hoping to compete in the inaugural women's Under-23 Maniragena, life on two wheels has always meant a level of first learned how to ride a bike at the age of seven, and over the years cycling became more than just a skill. It became her means of survival."Cycling helped me take care of my family. Fetching water, collecting firewood, running errands and as a mode of transport," Maniragena tells BBC Sport Africa when discussing her early life."It brings me happiness. When I ride, it takes away my anxiety and my depression."But her freedom was the death of her mother in 2013 and her father five years later, she struggled to support herself, taking on various jobs that eventually led to two teenage pregnancies."I believed the father of my children would be my support system, but after three years, just after our second baby, he left," she recalls."I was left to care for my three siblings and my two children alone. Life was hard." Finding purpose on two wheels Maniragena's journey into elite cycling began when she joined Bikes for Future, an all-female team backed by humanitarian group Plan International and Learn Work Develop (LWD), a non-profit organisation implementing the schemeThe initiative seeks to challenge gender stereotypes and empower young Rwandan women through sport."What makes Olivia unique is her determination," says her coach Niyonsaba Elidad. "She knows what she wants. Every time we train, she gives it her all."Women's cycling in Rwanda is still in its infancy and often marginalised in a sport long viewed as the domain of men."In the past, if a girl was seen riding a bike, people would ridicule her. They would say, 'You are not a boy, why are you cycling?'" explains Mbabazi Fillette, programs and partnership manager at LWD."If they saw a young girl getting a bike and riding it, it would be an abomination."We're proving that girls can not only ride, but also compete at the highest level."At the Bugesera Cycling Centre, Maniragena has gained more than racing skills. She has also mastered bike mechanics."I can dismantle and reassemble a bike in five minutes," she says. "It's something I truly value. It brought back the hope I had lost in my life."While other members of the 30-strong team have specialised in things like welding, tailoring and communications, Maniragena's trade has become her financial lifeline."What keeps me going is knowing I can earn an income."On a good day in the bike shop, I make about $7. When I race, I can earn even more."But financial barriers continue to pose a significant challenge.A decent racing bike costs between 60,000 and 150,000 Rwandan francs (approximately $42 to $104) - an unattainable amount for many from low-income these obstacles, the passion for cycling among Rwanda's youth continues to grow. Growth in women's cycling In just 15 months Maniragena has transformed from a novice rider to a local champion, winning races in the Rwanda Youth Racing rapid rise has sparked hopes that she could one day stand on the podium in national colours."I see Olivia as a future champion," her coach Elidad predicts with pride."She has the talent to compete at an elite level. She just needs the right opportunities and support."If Maniragena and her team-mates at the Road World Championships miss out on the start list for the U23 race, they will instead take part in a social race linked to the event."I see growth. I can't wait to see more women competing," says Fillette with excitement."This is a huge opportunity for my country." Sportswashing claims As Rwanda prepares to act as host, international tensions have eased on its border following a declaration of principles between the Democratic Republic of Congo and the M23 rebel deal, signed in Qatar last month, aims to stop hostilities in eastern Congo. The conflict has strained relations between the DRC and Rwanda, with the latter denying accusations, including from the United Nations, that it backs hosting the Road World Championships, alongside other major events, some critics have accused Rwanda of 'sportswashing' - the process of investing in sport to enhance a nation's global UCI has vehemently denied such claims when asked about its decision to choose Rwanda, pointing to the country's strong cycling tradition, with the gruelling Tour du Rwanda held annually since running the Bikes for Future project, which was launched to capitalise on Rwanda's role as the first African nation to host the Road World Championships, agree there are greater benefits."There's now a stronger belief that bicycles can change lives," says Solomon Tesfamariam, Plan International's director for Rwanda."Our focus is to engage and support more girls, and cycling is becoming increasingly popular among women."For Maniragena and her team-mates, it has certainly created fresh ambitions."We want to be champions," she says."One day, we want to race among the world's best."

Leicester's Ndidi close to sealing Besiktas move
Leicester's Ndidi close to sealing Besiktas move

BBC News

time3 hours ago

  • BBC News

Leicester's Ndidi close to sealing Besiktas move

Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi has undergone a medical ahead of moving to Besiktas in a reported £8m 28-year-old Nigerian was in Istanbul on Thursday and his transfer is expected to be confirmed in the next 24 has been with the Foxes since January 2017 and won the FA Cup, Community Shield and gained promotion to the Premier League in 2023-24 before the club suffered a second relegation in three years last his medical, Besiktas released an interview with Ndidi, wearing the club's shirt, on X, external in which the midfielder expressed his excitement in joining the Turkish side."It's really amazing. Joining Besiktas is a really great feeling," he said."It feels really great, very warm, very welcoming. Before I put it [the shirt] on, I kissed the badge which is very important, it shows [my] love."On Thursday, Besiktas beat Irish club St Patrick's Athletic 4-1 in the first leg of the Europa Conference League third qualifying round international Tammy Abraham scored a first-half hat-trick after former West Ham midfielder Joao Mario had opened the scoring.

St Pat's and Shamrock Rovers both beaten in Conference League qualifiers
St Pat's and Shamrock Rovers both beaten in Conference League qualifiers

BreakingNews.ie

time14 hours ago

  • BreakingNews.ie

St Pat's and Shamrock Rovers both beaten in Conference League qualifiers

St Pat's had a difficult night in the first leg of their Conference League qualifier against Besiktas. Tammy Abraham bagged a hat-trick, including a penalty, as the Turkish side went 4-0 up by half-time. Advertisement Simon Power's goal early in the second half means the Saints trail 4-1 ahead of the second leg next week in Istanbul. Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers were beaten 1-0 by Ballkani in their third-round first leg in Kosovo. The Hoops will play their second leg next Thursday at Tallaght Stadium, with kick-off at 8pm. Tonight's results in Europe come after Shelbourne fought back from a goal down to earn a 2-1 away win in the first leg of their Europa League third-round qualifier against HNK Rijeka in Croatia on Wednesday. Shels play the second leg of that tie in Tolka Park on Tuesday at 7.45pm, and should they progress, they will guarantee themselves a spot in the League Phase of the Europa Conference League at the very least.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store