Sarah Storey misses Hour Record by 563m

45.502km ride at Lee Valley Velo Park in London breaks Paralympic, British and Masters records. Photos by Andy Jones

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Dame Sarah Storey has fallen just short in her attempt to set a new women’s Hour Record, completing 45.502km and falling short of the existing mark by 563m.

Although missing out on the overall record, Storey did set new British, Paralympic and masters standards.

Riding at Lee Valley Velopark in London, Storey set off a solid pace, but by 20km she was down by 0.779s against the world record. She looked technically strong throughout but split times slipped as the hour progressed and she was left with too much to do despite a brave burst of speed in the final minutes.

The previous record was 46.065km, set by Leontien van Moorsel in Mexico City in 2003.

Speaking after the attempt, Storey said: “It was definitely the hardest hour of my life. It was the furthest I could possibly have gone. I said I’d do my best, and it’s not as far as Leontien, but to miss out to her is no bad thing.”

Storey began her sporting career as swimmer, picking up her first Paralympic medal in 1992 as a 14 year old, but since turning her attention to cycling in 2005, she has equalled the records of Tanni Grey-Thompson and Dave Roberts as Britain’s most successful Paralympians.

Interest in the Hour Record has skyrocketed since the UCI announced a change in the rules last year, allowing riders to use aerodynamic bikes and equipment. Jens Voigt set a new mark for men in September, with Matthias Brändle and current record-holder Rohan Dennis subsequently going even further.

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

Sarah Storey gets ready for her Hour Record attempt

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

Storey sits in the start gate, ready for 60 minutes of suffering

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

Storey during the attempt

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

The packed London velodrome gave Storey some very vocal support

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

Storey’s team keep track of her progress

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

Storey had altered her position on the bike prior to the event to maximise her power output

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

It was obvious that Storey had literally given the attempt everything

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

You can’t drink during the attempt, so Storey was dehydrated as well as exhausted

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

Getting cramped limbs back into action

Sarah Storey Hour Record February 2015 London

Sarah Storey poses with UCI president Brian Cookson, with her official distance