But her school friends When living at home her training base at the velodrome in Manchester is nearby and Emma also has time to catch up with some of her school pals.

"They just see me as the same old Emma who likes to ride a bike," she said.

EMMA Davies loves watching athletics on television.

Her dad's favourite is cycling.

But away from the small screen their passions are reversed.

Her dad John is a former Olympic middle-distance runner, who competed at the Games in 1968 and 1972.

Emma, meanwhile, is forging a career as a professional cyclist with the 2000 Olympics in her sights.

"Despite Dad being a runner he has always had a passion for cycling," said Emma, a member of Great Britain's women road cycling squad.

"So we both understand what makes each other tick."

As winter approaches drivers will soon see Emma racing along country lanes near her home in Lower Peover.

"I love being outside on my bike and watching the seasons changing," she said.

"It is a great feeling."

But the former Norbury Booths School pupil is not outside to just enjoy the scenery.

She faces a punishing schedule over the next few months to build up more speed and stamina - and get picked for the Great Britain Olympic team.

"It is getting harder to qualify for a place as now the Olympics only want about the best 20 athletes in the world to compete," said Emma.

"I am working towards achieving my own goals."

Currently she is one of the seven members of the provisional team.

But only four will travel to Sydney next year to represent Britain.

If she qualifies, the Olympics will be the highest achievement so far for the young woman who entered her first cycling race at 12.

Since coming second at that event, Emma, who is now 21, hasn't looked back.

"When I was at school I was always average at academic subjects," she said.

"It was great to find something which I excelled in and was better at than everybody else."

Emma, of Foxcovert Lane, started her career as a cycling sprinter and developed muscles that were trained to go fast.

That gave her a foundation to build up stamina she needed for her move, three years ago, to endurance road events.

Since then she's competed in international races around the world from Australia to Spain and America to Italy.

The next three years will be crucial if she is to reach her peak at about 25.

"When I reach my peak I will try to sustain that performance for as long as possible," she said.

"I will probably have to retire in my thirties."

Emma's motivation comes in part from her dad who is also her coach.

But it is her will to be the best that drives her most.

"Even if I wasn't funded to race, something would drive me to continue riding although I can't exactly say what it is," she said.

"I suppose it is because I enjoy winning."

National Lottery money allows Emma and her team-mates to live as professional cyclists.

They train, race and live with each other around the world.

In Mexico this summer Emma suffered the worst crash of her career when she was thrown off her bike and landed on concrete.

At first doctors suspected she had broken her neck and pelvis.

But within two days she was back in the saddle - with two badly sprained wrists.

"Injuries are not really too much of a problem in cycling as they are in other sports," said Emma.

"When you break something at least you know how long it will be before you can go training again."

So far this year Emma has spent only about three weeks at home living with her parents.

But she still managed to pass her exams in sports studies and business management.

Training at nearby Manchester velodrome also gives her time to catch up with some of her former school pals.

"They just see me as the same old Emma who likes to ride a bike," she said.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.