Wiggins breaks hour record
June 7, 2015
British cyclist Sir Bradley Wiggins smashed the UCI (International Cycling Union) hour record at the velodrome in London's Olympic Park on Sunday.
Wiggins's distance of 54.526 kilometers (33.88 miles) surpassed the previous record of 52.937 km set by fellow British rider Alex Dowsett in Manchester last month.
"I'm just glad it's done," Wiggins said. "That's the closest to knowing what it's like to have a baby. It was tortuous. You're counting down the minutes."
The 35-year-old, who needed six weeks of intensive training before the event, covered 219 laps at an average speed of 54.612 kilometers per hour and beat Dowsett's record with just under two minutes left.
"We've been through a lot as a little team, my wife and kids know a lot about air pressure," he said. "I always compare myself to the greats. I'm just glad to be in the company of those guys. Just to get up there and do that takes a lot of courage. It's tough."
Wiggins' illustrious career has seen him win four Olympic gold medals, and become the first British winner of the Tour de France - cycling's most prestigious road race - in 2012.
apc/al (AP, Reuters)