Alex Dowsett to make new attempt at UCI Hour Record
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is pleased to announce that Alex Dowsett (GBR) will attempt to break the UCI Hour Record timed by Tissot on 3 November at the Velodromo Bicentenario in Aguascalientes (Mexico).
The previous attempt by the 32-year-old rider should have taken place on 12 December 2020 in Manchester (Great Britain) but had to be postponed when he contracted Covid-19 the month before.
Alex Dowsett had held the UCI Hour Record timed by Tissot after covering the distance of 52.937km on 2 May 2015 in Manchester, before another British rider, Bradley Wiggins, set a new mark of 54.526km just 36 days later.
The record for the greatest distance covered in one hour is currently held by the Belgian Victor Campenaerts, who established the record of 55.089km on 16 April 2019 in Aguascalientes.
Alex Dowsett declared: “When I took the record in 2015, we rode enough to break the record but I knew I had more in the tank at the end which was frustrating given the work put in by everyone. Last year’s attempt was derailed when I contracted Covid-19 but the same reasons for wanting to do it are all still there. I want to see what I’m capable of and it’s an event I just really love and feel privileged to have the opportunity to take on again.
“In terms of difficulty I know the bar has been set extremely high by Victor (Campenaerts). It’s going to be a very big ask but I think I’m capable. The biggest hurdle this time with it being in Mexico will be the altitude. Being at altitude the power output required will be lower than at sea level because of the thin air, but it’s not all plain sailing as the thin air also brings a tougher environment for breathing. We think in the end it should be more beneficial than detrimental to be at altitude.”
Dowsett has been following a special training schedule to prepare him for the rigours of the event, which will be streamed live online around the world. He has also been spending time in a wind tunnel to test the aerodynamic properties of his hi-tech bike and the skinsuit he will wear on the day.
List of successful attempts made on the men’s UCI Hour Record
| 16.04.2019 | Victor Campenaerts (BEL) | Velodromo Bicentenario, Aguascalientes (MEX) | 55.089 km |
| 07.06.2015 | Bradley Wiggins (GBR) | Lee Valley VeloPark, London (GBR) | 54.526 km |
| 02.05.2015 | Alex Dowsett (GBR) | National Cycling Centre, Manchester (GBR) | 52.937 km |
| 08.02.2015 | Rohan Dennis (AUS) | Velodrome Suisse, Grenchen (SUI) | 52.491 km |
| 30.10.2014 | Matthias Brändle (AUT) | UCI World Cycling Centre, Aigle (SUI) | 51.852 km |
| 18.09.2014 | Jens Voigt (GER) | Velodrome Suisse, Grenchen (SUI) | 51.110 km. |