Having seen two successful attempts by two non track specialists, cycling fans were today given a stark reminder of just how hard the hour record is as Jack Bobridge, the 4km individual pursuit record holder, came up short in his attempt.
Bobridge, a multiple world champion in the team and individual pursuit, missed the record by some 500m after his lonely hour on the track in Melbourne. His distance of 51.3km will however stand as the Australian record.
He had been up on his 52km schedule for the first 20 minutes, and at 40km he was still on target, but his lap times then started to slow. From laps 149 to 170 he was consistently lapping in a little over 18 seconds, dropping him under his target.
His schedule was not revealed in the run up to the attempt, although there was talk of setting a new benchmark, but on the day it was announced to be 52km (208 laps), giving him just 148 metres of leeway over the current record.
Although he managed to pick up the pace for the last 30 laps it wasn't enough to beat the mark set by Matthias Brändle in Switzerland last October.
At the Tour Down Under, Bobridge had looked in good form, winning stage one after a day long break. This, along with his track pedigree, had Alex Dowsett's camp a little concerned ahead of his February attempt that has since been postponed due to a broken collarbone.
But Bobridge, who has done most of his preparation on the road, eventually missed out on his chance to add his name to one of cycling's most revered lists.
Editor of Cycling Weekly magazine, Simon has been working at the title since 2001. In that time he has written product reviews, features 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. Once an aspiring bike racer himself, he can still be seen at his club's evening races through the summer.
-
Dan Bigham and Michael Hutchinson on how the men's Hour Record can be beaten: 'It’s about keeping everything within your control'Bigham reset the British Hour Record with a distance of 54.723km in October
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Nico Anelli to attempt to break Scottish Hour Record distance to raise awareness of chronic gut conditions: 'It shouldn't be the end of your sporting hopes'
The Scottish time triallist set up his own team, Real Guts Racing, to raise awareness
By Chris Marshall-Bell •
-
Alex Dowsett analyses Hour Record attempt: 'I’m confident that was everything I had'
Briton's Hour Record attempt raises over £45,000 for charity
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Victor Campenaerts proud to keep Hour Record: 'I'm glad it is still in my possession'
The Belgian also praised Alex Dowsett's attempt that fell 500m short of the record
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Alex Dowsett falls short of Hour Record in Mexico
Briton misses out on record at the Aguascalientes Velodrome in Mexico
By Richard Windsor •
-
Watch: Alex Dowsett Hour Record attempt live stream
Dowsett begins his Hour Record attempt at 10pm GMT
By Cycling Weekly •
-
'I think it’s a 50-50': Victor Campenaerts unsure if Alex Dowsett will break his Hour Record
The current Hour Record holder says he is happy to cede it to Dowsett and won't try and regain the title if he does manage to beat him on Wednesday in Mexico
By Ryan Dabbs •
-
Filippo Ganna considering Hour Record attempt after astonishing results from 30-minute test
Ganna highlighted his desire to beat the most prestigious track record
By Ryan Dabbs •
