Sir Bradley Wiggins reveals Hour Record target distance

Sir Bradley Wiggins has revealed he is targeting a ride of 55.250km when he attempts to break the UCI Hour Record on June 7, equating to 221 laps of the velodrome.

The former Team Sky man insists he is not underestimating Alex Dowsett's mark of 52.937km, set in Manchester on May 2, but did claim to Sky Sports News that if weather conditions are right he could go a lot further.

Indeed, Wiggins was even bullish on beating Chris Boardman's all-time distance record of 56.375km because the forecast low pressure could add a kilometre to his distance.

“If the conditions are right on the day,” he said. “They would have to be really right. A lot of the hour record is dictated by temperature and air pressure. Air pressure is everything.

“I’m not a weather man, but if you have really low pressure, under 1,000 [grams per cubic metre], you will travel a lot further on the day – anything up to 1km for the same power.

“The weather forecast for the first week in June is abnormally low pressure for London for that time of year, which is fantastic. That has dictated everything. You could go a kilometre either way depending on air pressure.

“If the conditions are right, it’s possible. The goal is to break the record first and foremost. I wouldn’t underestimate the record that Alex has done.”

Wiggins attempts to break the record this Sunday between 6.30pm and 7.30pm and you can find out where to watch it on our guide here.