British sprinter Matthew Richardson is on a mission to become the fastest track cyclist of all time. His goal? To break the 200m flying start time trial world record, currently standing at 9.088 seconds, during an event in Turkey next week. Richardson, who switched his allegiance from Australia to Great Britain after the Paris Olympics, is confident in his ability to push the record below nine seconds, a feat requiring speeds exceeding 80km/hr.

The Challenge Ahead

Richardson isn’t alone in his pursuit of cycling glory. On 14 August, three British cyclists will attempt to break records on the same track. Charlie Tanfield is targeting the elite hour record, while para-cyclist Will Bjergfelt aims to set a new benchmark in the C5 category hour milestone.

Richardson’s Journey

Born in Maidstone, Kent, and raised in Western Australia, Richardson has already made a name for himself in the cycling world. He won two silver medals and a bronze for Australia last summer before switching his nationality. This year, he claimed three sprint titles at the British Track Championships and followed up with two golds on his Great Britain debut at the Nations Cup in March.

The Race Against Time

Richardson briefly held the flying 200m record at the Olympics with a time of 9.091 seconds, only for Dutchman Harrie Lavreysen to break it minutes later. Now, Richardson is determined to reclaim the title. “It’s a bit of a race between Harrie and I to be the first person to break nine seconds,” he said. “It’s been on my radar for the last couple of years as the world’s gotten closer to achieving it.”

Tanfield’s Hour Record Attempt

Meanwhile, Charlie Tanfield is aiming to become the fourth British man to break the hour record, which measures the greatest distance cycled in 60 minutes. The current record of 56.792km was set by Italy’s Filippo Ganna in 2022. Tanfield has been preparing meticulously for this challenge, stating, “My goal is to execute the perfect ride for my ability.”

Bjergfelt’s Para-Cycling Ambition

For Will Bjergfelt, the C5 hour record of 47.569km, set in 2014 by Italy’s Andrea Tarlao, is the target. Bjergfelt believes advancements in technology and aerodynamics will help him not only break the record but also push the distance beyond 50km. “I want to be the first para-cyclist to crack 50km,” he said. “That would be something pretty special.”

The Grueling Test of the Hour Record

The hour record is known as one of the most grueling tests in cycling. Bjergfelt emphasized the importance of pacing, stating, “You have to be really conservative in the first 40-45 minutes, but still on pace to beat the record. In the last 10-15 minutes, that’s where I’ll need to extend myself.”

This historic event promises to be a showcase of human endurance, speed, and determination, as these cyclists push the boundaries of what’s possible in track cycling.