Tony Martin: Cancellara wrong, there can't be enough attention on the Hour Record
German time trial specialist hopes to announce his own attempt sometime this year


Tony Martin says that Fabian Cancellara is wrong to say the Hour Record is 'low level', as the three time World Time Trial Champion plots his own attempt on the prestigious record.
Cancellara said in an interview in November last year that he believed the Hour was losing its worth after the UCI changed the rules to allow the use of modern aerodynamic bikes and clothing, adding that the record was devalued because "everyone can do it who wants and there’s no limit."
But Martin thinks that the having the likes of Britain's Alex Dowsett and Australians Rohan Dennis and Jack Bobridge announce their attempts at the record, currently held at 51.852 by Austrian Matthias Brändle, is good for the sport.
"I definitely don’t agree [with Cancellara]," he told Cycling Weekly. "There can’t be enough attention on the Hour Record. I think Cancellara should try it when Wiggins and I have done it and we’ll see then how it goes."
The German time trial specialist says his his own attempt is in the pipeline, after compatriot Jens Voigt became the first rider to set the new 'unified record' when he rode just prior to he retirement in September last year.
However, Martin's record will almost certainly come after Bradley Wiggins' attempt, which is confirmed to be happening in London in June.
"[The Hour Record] is a certainly a goal…it’s on the agenda for 2015 or 16," Martin said.
"We are still planning and there are a lot of things to do, so I’m not 100 per cent sure what the timeline will be. But we'll speak about it and I think we will announce in 2015 what the plan is."
Martin, who held the World Time Trial Championship title for three years between 2011 and 13, says he is more motivated than ever to claim back the rainbow bands, having missed out on the 2014 title to Wiggins by a margin of just over 26 seconds.
"It wouldn’t have been the same if I’d have won it it last year," he said.
"In the end you run out of goals because how often do you want to win it? I can accept that I lost it but the will to win it back now is even stronger."
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Follow on Twitter: @richwindy
Richard is digital editor of Cycling Weekly. Joining the team in 2013, Richard became editor of the website in 2014 and coordinates site content and strategy, leading the news team in coverage of the world's biggest races and working with the tech editor to deliver comprehensive buying guides, reviews, and the latest product news.
An occasional racer, Richard spends most of his time preparing for long-distance touring rides these days, or getting out to the Surrey Hills on the weekend on his Specialized Tarmac SL6 (with an obligatory pub stop of course).
-
-
Five talking points from stage eleven of the Giro d’Italia 2022
The Cycling Weekly highlights package from the stage which finally saw an Italian win at the home race this year
By Luke Friend • Published
-
Strava acquires injury prevention app Recover Athletics to provide personalised prehab
Evidence-based exercises are claimed to help athletes stay injury-free
By Anna Marie Hughes • Published
-
Ellen van Dijk set to attempt women's Hour Record in May
Van Dijk is looking to break Joss Lowden's current record of 48.405km
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Highest bidder of the Tony Martin Olympic medal auction returns medal to Martin
The time trialist's selfless act rewarded with €35,000 in funds raised and a return of his medal
By Anne-Marije Rook • Published
-
British rider breaks junior national Hour Record
British Cycling officiated Fred Meredith's attempt as he rode a record-breaking 49.184km
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Filippo Ganna: 'I will attack the Hour Record at sea level - that gives me more satisfaction'
The Italian also wants success at the Tour de France, Paris-Roubaix and San-Remo
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
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 • Published
-
Tony Martin left 'absolutely speechless' with the UCI and race organisers over safety concerns
The now-retired German powerhouse made the decision to step off the bike due to not feeling safe anymore
By Tim Bonville-Ginn • Published
-
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 • Published
-
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 • Published