Belgian Campenaerts breaks Wiggins' world hour record

The 27-year-old Campenaerts covered 55,089 kilometers on the track in Aguascalientes, Mexico, improving the four-year-old record by 563 meters. The Briton Wiggins covered 2015 kilometers in London in June 54,526.

“I have completed the magical 55 kilometers! That was really hard. I approached it a bit too optimistically. After that, it was important to slow things down a little,” said Campenaerts, who became European time trial champion in 2017 and 2018.

“Worked long and hard” In the velodrome at an altitude of 1800 m, the “Campenator” was on course for a record early on and ultimately followed in the footsteps of his compatriot Eddy Merckx. The cycling icon improved the record to 1972 kilometers in 49,431. “I worked long and hard for this and had a great team behind me. Now I have paid back,” said Campenaerts. Many failed to achieve their best After Wiggins' record ride in London, several professional cyclists tried to set the record, but all of them failed - until Campenaerts came along. However, the Belgian faced completely different conditions. Experts estimated in advance that the altitude alone brought an advantage of up to 1500 meters.

Campenaerts had prepared meticulously for the day, including sleeping at a simulated altitude of 3000 m to increase his red blood cell count. There was also heat training and a specially made bike worth 15.000 euros that has neither gears nor brakes. The Velodrome, with its tent roof and oak track, is also specially designed for speed records. Development of the world hour record since 1972: October 25, 1972 Eddy Merckx (BEL) 49,431 km Mexico City November 27, 2000 Chris Boardman (GBR) 49,441 km Manchester July 19, 2005 Ondrej Sosenka (CZE) 49,700 km Moscow September 18, 2014 Jens Voigt (GER) 51,115 km Grenchen (SUI) October 30, 2014 Matthias Brändle (AUT) 51,852 km Aigle (SUI) February 8, 2015 Rohan Dennis (AUS) 52,491 km Grenchen May 2, 2015 Alex Dowsett (GBR) 52,937 Manchester June 7, 2015 Bradley Wiggins (GBR) 54,526 London April 16, 2019 Victor Campenaerts (BEL) 55,089 Aguascalientes (MEX)

Note: In 2000, the UCI subsequently canceled the world hour records from 1984 to 1996 because they were achieved with aerodynamically sophisticated special wheels and with seating positions that did not correspond to the new regulations. They are listed as “world best performances”. The Briton Chris Boardman achieved 7 km in Manchester on September 1996, 56,375.

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Belgian Campenaerts breaks Wiggins' world hour record

Belgian professional cyclist Victor Campenaerts has broken the world hour record set by former Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins.

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