Hour Record (may contain spoilers)

[rich p]

Dowsett surprised me. His reaction and demeanour immediately afterwards was telling.
Was there any particular Movistar involvement in his attempt, or just leave of absence? Where did the backroom staff come from?

 

[smutchin]

Eusebio Unzue was present for the attempt. Don't know if that was just as a VIP guest or someone actively involved in the effort, but I get the impression the team have been very supportive.

 

[uclown2002]

Wiggin's target is 54km.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/03/sir-bradley-wiggins-world-hour-record

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Wiggin's target is 54km.

http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/may/03/sir-bradley-wiggins-world-hour-record

I think his real target is 55km - he's training so that 54 is what he knows he can do as a baseline.

 

[raindog]

If ever Wiggins manages 55 I doubt Alex will have a second stab at it.

 

[HF2300]

Still like to see someone go over Boardman's old record and set an undisputed. I don't think it's totally out of reach, either. Sponsor and earnings etc. wise, nudging up towards it in increments probably works better, though.

 

[smutchin]

As Hutch points out, Dowsett at 26 is yet to reach his peak. In the long run, he could well eclipse Wiggo's achievements as a time trial specialist (though he'll probably never be as much of an all-rounder).

 

[HF2300]

... and Dowsett himself said they were aiming at a record pace on Saturday, not a maximum pace. Would be nice to think Wiggins' attempt won't put a big pause to things, even if he does do 55 or even 56.

 

[Hont]

even if he does do 55 or even 56.

I saw a quote from Wiggins dismissing the possibility of beating Boardman's old record saying that the superman position was way better than anything he was allowed to use and that Boardman's bike was as aero as Wiggins' as well. If I can find it I'll dig it out.

Edit. Found it...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/testing-suggests-wiggins-on-target-for-hour-record

“I disagree strongly actually because Chris was 20 years ahead of his time. I’ve got that bike that he rode in 96 at home. Aerodynamically that Superman position is streets ahead of anything that you’re allowed in the regulations,” Wiggins explained.

“The bike itself also beats anything from the modern era in the wind tunnel. Other than the skinsuits, which have moved on since Chris’ time, he was 20 years ahead of his time.”

 

[HF2300]

Thanks, that's interesting. Boardman's been quoted as saying Wiggins could do over 55, and interestingly rates a 55 effort with the current equipment and position as equivalent to a 56 using Superman. He also seemed to think 56 is potentially doable (or at least, not impossible), though that it would be very close unless the regulations change.

I must admit that hoping for a 56+ in June, while it would be great, is rather hopeful (or wishful) thinking on my part; at that speed and distance, the difficulty of adding 'just an extra k' can't be underestimated. I can't help feeling it'll come, though, and perhaps it isn't that far away if Wiggins is at 55 now. His 'Chris was 20 years ahead' only takes us to next year...

 

[raindog]

....and perhaps it isn't that far away if Wiggins is at 55 now.

Take it easy, he hasn't done it yet!

 

[HF2300]

Well, I did say IF...

 

[Flying_Monkey]

Wiggins confirms that he is aiming for 55. What's more he says that he could break the current record 'tomorrow' but he wants to set a record that will last twenty years! Fighting talk...

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/wiggins-i-could-break-the-hour-record-tomorrow

 

[MisterStan]

I wanted it all to stand for a lot more than just being on a Rice Krispies packet.

Brilliant.

 

[beastie]

Wiggins going well

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p02rnyr1