Total perfection: Ganna sets hour world record

A racing machine costing 60.000 euros, a precisely fitting aerodynamic racing suit and a velodrome heated to 28 degrees: Filippo Ganna left nothing to chance when it came to his incredible hour-long world record. In the end, the two-time time trial world champion measured 56,792 kilometers in Grenchen, Switzerland on Saturday evening, virtually pulverizing the old record set by Briton Dan Bigham (55,548).

But “Top Ganna”, as the Italian is called, is far from satisfied with his rush of speed. “Next time I will try it at a different time of the season when the legs are even fresher,” said Ganna, who “suffered” but was “happy” in the end to have completed “one of the hardest challenges in the world.” to have. Next time he wants to cover more than 57 kilometers.

Filippo Ganna broke the record at the Grenchen Velodrome in Switzerland. © APA/afp / VALENTIN FLAURAUD

Hardly anyone thought it possible that this mark would one day be reached on May 11, 1893, when Henri Desgrange set the first hourly world record in Paris with 35,325 kilometers. After that it kept going: Eddy Merckx, Francesco Moser and Miguel Indurain, among others, improved the record. There were always rule adjustments from the world association. But no one has managed 56,792 kilometers yet.

It was no coincidence that Ganna succeeded. The 26-year-old is one of the best time trialists in the world. The Italian won the title in this discipline in 2020 and 2021 and has won numerous stages in the battle against the clock on some tours in recent years. He also became world champion four times in the single pursuit on the track. Number five will follow next week at the World Championships in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.

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Total perfection: Ganna sets hour world record

This weekend, professional cyclist Filippo Ganna clinched the hour world record in an outstanding manner in the Grenchen Velodrome in Switzerland.

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