Plenty in Carmarthen will be pinching themselves at one of their own becoming an Olympic champion but few are prouder than Robyn Davies.

The Towy Riders stalwart was Emma Finucane’s first coach when she walked through the doors aged six and has played a key role in her journey to the top of the world.

The 21-year-old is part of a golden generation of Welsh cyclists at this year’s Games, with nine-part of the Team GB squad, and began her bid for a remarkable hat-trick of golds with a stunning team sprint success alongside Sophie Capewell and Katy Marchant.

The trio set three world records on their way to glory, with Finucane displaying evidence of a ‘racing head’ that was present from a young age.

“It was pretty obvious very early on that she had a bit of talent,” Davies said.

“We used to do two-hour sessions and finish with races. Her racing head used to switch on and she wasn’t just racing everyone her own age, she wanted to race the older age groups, the boys, the girls, anyone.

“She was full of fun, enjoying herself. She is very level-headed, not stressed at all.

“She used to get upset if she lost a race but then that would last maybe two, three minutes and then she would be back to herself.

“It was more about having fun on the bike to start with. When the race head went on, you could see a little switch go off in her head.”

Finucane became Britain’s first women’s sprint world champion for a decade in 2023 and bids for individual glory in the sprint and keirin later this week.

Her path to the podium was forged in Welsh mud, with Finucane’s early taste for victory gained on the cyclo-cross circuit.

“That’s what we got the kids racing when they were really young as their first taste of racing,” Davies said.

“Every weekend across Wales, they used to trot off with their bikes through the mud.

“It is quite slow-paced racing but quite hard and Emma has actually been Wales Cyclo-Cross League champion.

“We encouraged them to do a bit of road racing and that’s when her speed became a lot more apparent. Anything that ended up in a bunch sprint, she would win.”

Four-and-a-half four round trips to Newport would follow for midweek sessions as Finucane learned her trade.

She grew up idolising compatriot Becky James, a two-time Olympic medallist, and her chances of following in those illustrious footsteps were boosted when her historic home facility in Carmarthen was given a £296,000 renovation made possible by National Lottery funding.

Finucane’s success will reverberate around Towy Riders and beyond, with Davies excited to see how the grounded youngster’s Olympic odyssey impacts the next generation.

“It’s quite surreal to think that someone who went round the track here can reach that level,” he said.

“She gives her time back to the club and gives them the inspiration. When Emma is back, she will come down and ride around with the kids.

“The kids are going to see someone who rode locally and is one of them – Emma’s family is part of the club.

“They can feel they can do the same with hard work and dedication. One of these riders in front of me now could be the next one.”

With more than £30M a week raised for Good Causes, including vital funding into elite and grassroots sport, National Lottery players support our Olympic and Paralympic athletes to live their dreams and make the nation proud, as well as providing more opportunities for people to take part in sport.  To find out more visit: www.lotterygoodcauses.org.uk