British track cyclist Matt Richardson has officially become the fastest ever, breaking the world record for the 200-meter flying start time trial at the Konya Velodrome in Turkey.
The British national team member became the first man to complete 200 meters in under nine seconds. The new top mark is 8.941 seconds, with an average speed of 80.5 km/h. The 200-meter flying start time trial is not a discipline at the World Championships, but it is used as a qualifying race to seed riders in the main sprint bracket. This event purely showcases a sprinter's speed.
Richardson competed on a specially adapted Hope-Lotus HB.T bicycle, which Great Britain used for the 2024 Paris Olympics and other major competitions. The bike featured a new seat post, and 3D-printed handlebars and cranks.
Richardson is the first British cyclist to hold the 200m flying start record. The 26-year-old rider, who grew up in Australia, switched his nationality to British in August 2024 after the Paris Olympics.
"I did it – I came here for this, and this is what I did. It feels really good to have achieved this one goal I came here for. There's also a bit of relief," said Richardson. "It was much faster than previous runs. I was essentially a passenger. I steered the bike a little, and it steered itself. I rode outside the sprint lane for a lot of the distance, so there's more to come."
