Bradley Wiggins set a new benchmark for the UCI Hour Record today, after riding 54.526 kilometers at London’s Lee Valley Velodrome – beating the previous record of 52.937 set by Alex Dowsett in May.
“I’m glad it’s done,” he said. “That’s the closest I will come to knowing what it’s like to have a baby.
“It’s tortuous. It’s such a relief and was such a build-up. We’ve been through so much, my wife and children know so much about air pressure now”
Wiggins set about today’s challenge with a train like pace, and after 30 laps, the British rider had already surpassed Dowsett’s performance by 20 seconds.
However, after 10 kilometers, Wiggins began to show signs of slowing, maintaining nary a two lap margin over Dowsett’s mark.
But, with a valiant effort, Wiggins began increasing his pace, to where had had extended his lead to almost a minute by the 20 kilometer point.
And, at the 35 kilometer mark, Wiggins had further extended his lead to 1,250 meters, with an average speed of 54.5 kph.
From there, Wiggins appeared to be struggling a bit, as his pace once again begin to slip back.
But, “Wiggo” managed to uncapped some further mettle, and picked up his pace to drive home the Hour Record.
Indeed, Wiggins would later sail across the line, amidst a roaring crowd of spectators and fellow pro riders, that included Miguel Indurain, Johan Bruyneel, David Millar and former UCI President Pat McQuaid – to set a new Hour Record.
“It tops it off. To do everything and come here as an old man, I had such great memories here as a kid and to come here… It’s memorable.
“It’s done now. I always compare myself to the greats and I am just glad to be in the company of those guys. To get up there and do that… to put yourself on the line takes a lot of courage and it’s a mental game as much as anything.”
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