Britain’s Matt Richardson and Will Bjergfelt delivered record-breaking performances at a special cycling event in Konya, Turkey, setting new world benchmarks in their respective disciplines.
Richardson became the first rider in history to dip below the nine-second barrier in the 200m flying start, stopping the clock at an astonishing 8.941 seconds. The 26-year-old, who switched allegiance from Australia to Britain last year, shattered the previous world mark with a run that he described as both exhilarating and surreal. He explained that the ride felt almost effortless, with the bike seemingly guiding itself as he hit top speed. The feat cements Richardson’s place among the fastest track sprinters the sport has ever seen and marks a significant moment in cycling history.
In another milestone performance, Will Bjergfelt rewrote the men’s C5 para-cycling hour record. The veteran athlete covered 51.471 kilometres within 60 minutes, demolishing the previous record of 47.569km and becoming the first para-cyclist to surpass the 50km mark. The 46-year-old’s achievement was the culmination of months of preparation, and he admitted that the scale of the accomplishment had yet to fully sink in. His ride was not just about setting a new mark but also about redefining what is possible in para-cycling endurance events.
Charlie Tanfield, however, fell just short of adding to Britain’s tally of records on the day. Attempting to break the men’s hour record, Tanfield produced a strong effort, covering 53.967 kilometres. Despite the impressive distance, it was not enough to surpass the British national record of 55.548km held by Dan Bigham. His performance still ranks as the fourth fastest by a British rider, behind only Bigham, Bradley Wiggins, and Alex Dowsett.
The event in Konya served as a showcase for elite performance on the track, blending raw speed with endurance excellence. Richardson’s sprinting heroics, Bjergfelt’s groundbreaking para-cycling ride, and Tanfield’s valiant hour record bid underline Britain’s depth of talent in track cycling. These results not only highlight individual brilliance but also reflect a continued culture of pushing the limits in pursuit of cycling greatness.
