This was anyone’s final before it began, one-hundredth of a second splitting New Zealand and Great Britain on their qualifying rides, both, incidentally, world records, set just minutes apart.
It was still anyone’s after one lap, the Kiwis just in front, and after two, even with Britain having edged into a slender lead. So, over to you, Emma Finucane, billed as British cycling’s potential breakout, cut-through sensation of these Games. “Honestly, I just saw red,” said the 21-year-old. Thirteen seconds later, it was gold.
