You wait nine years for an Hour Record attempt and then two come along in the space of a couple months, as Matthias Brandle is set to go out and try and beat Jens Voigt's Hour Record, the UCI confirmed on Thursday.
The 24-year-old IAM Cycling rider will make his attempt on the 200m track of the UCI's World Cycling Centre velodrome in Aigle, Switzerland, exactly six weeks after Voigt set the new record of 51.115km at the Velodrome Suisse.
Brandle's team estimate that he'll be able to ride around 52km after recent tests, and that he will make his attempt at 7pm on Thursday, October 30.
"After he [Jens Voigt] made his successful assault on the Hour, I thought he had fulfilled his dream," Brandle said, "and within just a few weeks I surprised myself by starting to have the same dream."
"As of today," he continued, "I do not know whether I can beat the mark or not. But as usual it will be a very personal struggle between me and the clock."
UCI president Brian Cookson said he was pleased that Brandle was taking on the challenge, as well as saying that it justifies the rule change made to the Hour Record by the sport's governing body earlier this year.
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"I am delighted that a young rider [Brandle] is interested in attacking the Hour Record just weeks after Jens Voigt's stunning performance," said Cookson.
"This proves that the Hour Record has again become a dream for athletes," he added.
"This is exactly what we hoped would happen when we decided to authorise the use of track bikes with modern designs and technology."
