CHRIS HOY SET FOR WORLD RECORD ATTEMPT

Chris Hoy

The countdown to Chris Hoy?s world record attempt is entering its final few days. The Scot will fly in to La Paz, Bolivia this Friday, just one day before attempting to break the world record for the kilometre time trial.

The current record of 58.875 seconds, set by Frenchman Arnaud Tournant of France, is within Hoy?s grasp even though the four-time world champion admits he?s going in to the unknown.

The track at La Paz sits at 3,408 metres, an altitude that Hoy has never before been to, and with only two-thirds of the oxygen present at sea level, the intense effort holds certain risks, ?I wouldn't say I'm scared, but I am apprehensive. There are risks involved, and I am aware of them, but I'll have full medical support,? he said.

After his attempt in 2001, Tournant passed out, and only fully came round some 20 minutes later. Hoy will have an oxygen mask waiting for him on the finish line, with a body bag with it?s own oxygen supply present in case of an emergency.

Not wanting to acclimatise due to the anaerobic nature of the event, Hoy is currently in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, training on the 333m concrete track, ?we've got a relaxed atmosphere, with everything tailored to what I want," Hoy said.

The record attempt, that is costing around £40,000 may yet get a large crowd packed in to the decrepit velodrome in southern America. It is being shown live on Bolivian TV while a BBC documentary crew have been tailing Hoy for several Months.

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Simon Richardson
Magazine editor

Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. He fell in love with cycling 1989 when watching the Tour de France on Channel 4, started racing in 1995 and in 2000 he spent one season racing in Belgium. During his time at CW (and Cycle Sport magazine) he has written product reviews, fitness features, pro interviews, race coverage and news. He has covered the Tour de France more times than he can remember along with two Olympic Games and many other international and UK domestic races. He became the 130-year-old magazine's 13th editor in 2015.