Sir Bradley Wiggins reveals Hour Record target distance
Former Team Sky rider Sir Bradley Wiggins reveals he is targetting 221 laps of the 250m Lee Valley VeloPark track on Sunday, June 7
Sir Bradley Wiggins has revealed he is targeting a ride of 55.250km when he attempts to break the UCI Hour Record on June 7, equating to 221 laps of the velodrome.
The former Team Sky man insists he is not underestimating Alex Dowsett's mark of 52.937km, set in Manchester on May 2, but did claim to Sky Sports News that if weather conditions are right he could go a lot further.
Indeed, Wiggins was even bullish on beating Chris Boardman's all-time distance record of 56.375km because the forecast low pressure could add a kilometre to his distance.
“If the conditions are right on the day,” he said. “They would have to be really right. A lot of the hour record is dictated by temperature and air pressure. Air pressure is everything.
“I’m not a weather man, but if you have really low pressure, under 1,000 [grams per cubic metre], you will travel a lot further on the day – anything up to 1km for the same power.
“The weather forecast for the first week in June is abnormally low pressure for London for that time of year, which is fantastic. That has dictated everything. You could go a kilometre either way depending on air pressure.
“If the conditions are right, it’s possible. The goal is to break the record first and foremost. I wouldn’t underestimate the record that Alex has done.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Wiggins attempts to break the record this Sunday between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and you can find out where to watch it on our guide here.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.
-
Tweets of the week: Brutal weather at Flèche, an idiot sandwich and is there a new POC helmet?
There's a lot of love for Kasia Niewiadoma, and it turns out Norwegians are good in bad weather
By Adam Becket Published
-
Juanpe López wins Tour of the Alps, does 34 kick-ups with a football
'My coach said to do it for Betis,' says Spaniard of his boyhood football club
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Vittoria Bussi makes history with new UCI Hour Record
Italian becomes first woman ever to surpass 50km in her effort
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Want to break a track record? WattShop to give anyone the chance this September
British company to take over Tissot Velodrome in Grenchen, Switzerland to try and smash times for anyone - if you have £7,000
By Adam Becket Published
-
Bradley Wiggins says he suffered ‘borderline rape’ during three years of 'abuse' by coach
Speaking on Fearne Cotton’s Happy Place podcast, Wiggins says he now “hates cycling” and only ever used the sport as a distraction
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Bradley Wiggins might not be a TV pundit for much longer: 'I just want a normal job really'
Tour de France champion says that he doesn't still want to be on Eurosport in 10 years, and he thought about being a social worker
By Adam Becket Published
-
CW Live: Chris Froome targets return to 'top level'; UCI tightens ITT rules; Strava responds to price hike criticism; Topless protesters arrested at TDU; Tributes paid to Lieuwe Westra; Scott recalls 'cracking' bikes; Toon Aerts the PE teacher
The latest news in the world of cycling
By Tom Davidson Last updated
-
Bradley Wiggins: Abuse contributed to making me a great cyclist
The Tour de France winner is part of a new NSPCC campaign to help people spot the signs of child abuse
By Adam Becket Published
-
Is Bradley Wiggins Rubbish on ITV's The Masked Singer? We investigate
The wheely bin character was tipped to be the Olympian by one of the judges on the Saturday night TV show
By Adam Becket Published
-
The new UCI rule that could see Filippo Ganna’s world records tumble
A technical change will give taller riders a longer handlebar reach
By Tom Davidson Last updated