Lotto-Soudal’s Victor Campenaerts is hoping to make his mark on history by beating Sir Bradley Wiggins’ Hour Record in April.
The Belgian time trial specialist believes he can better Sir Bradley’s 2015 marker of 54.526km in 60 minutes.
Campenaerts will find out later this week if he has permission to take on the record in April, which he plans to attempt at high altitude in Aguascalientes in Mexico.
The 27-year-old told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws: “Friday is D-day, then we will know.
“Of course I’m hoping, but at the moment it’s not 100 per cent fixed.”
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Campenaerts and his team are still on the hunt for sponsorship, as the record attempt will cost at least €100,000 (£87,000).
The money will cover the bike, equipment, the trip to Mexico, accommodation, staff, a trainer and rental of the track.
Campenaerts said he will fly out to Mexico three weeks in advance to adjust to the time difference.
If Campenaerts gets approval for the record, it will take place between April 15 and 18.
The Bicentennial Velodrome in Aguascalientes, Mexico has been the host track for a multitude of world records, due to the altitude.
Most recently, American Ashton Lambie smashed the individual pursuit world record, setting a 4-07-25 last August.
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Wiggins set his record at the Lee Valley Velodrome in London, making his record even more impressive.
The Brit smashed the former record, held by compatriot Alex Dowsett, by almost two kilometres.
Campenaerts’ chances of breaking the record look good.
After finishing third in the World Championship time trial behind Tom Dumoulin (Sunweb) and winner Rohan Dennis (Bahrian-Merida) last year, Campenaerts tested his legs at the velodrome in Grenchen, Switzerland.
He said the effort was “very positive,” riding at 54.8kph for 30 minutes and increasing the speed to 60kph in the final four laps.
At the time he told Het Nieuwsblad: “I think the Hour Record is within my capabilities because Wiggins didn’t have the ideal temperature and atmospheric pressure conditions for his attempt.”
Campenaerts has also said the 2020 Olympic time trial in Tokyo takes priority over the Hour Record, and he has been dealing with a knee injury suffered during off-season training.
