Bradley Wiggins's Hour Record could be under serious threat soon as Lotto Soudal's Victor Campenaerts announced his intention to beat the distance this April.
The European time trial champion told Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws of his intention to travel to altitude this spring in order to chase Wiggins's record of 54.526km set at the Lee Valley Velodrome in 2015, finding out later this week whether he has clearance to ride.
'Friday is D-day, then we will know. Of course, I’m hoping, but at the moment it’s not 100 per cent fixed,' said Campenaerts who has set aside 15th to 18th April for the attempt.
If he is permitted to attempt the record in April, Campenaerts will travel to the infamous Aguascalientes velodrome in Mexico which sits 1,887m above sea level.
The lower air density found at altitude in Mexico lends itself to many assaults on the Hour Record. In 2018, both Martin Toft Madsen and Dion Beukeboom travelled to Aguascalientes for attempts at the record, although both fell short by over 800m.
Vittoria Bussi also travelled to the Mexican velodrome managing to set a new women's Hour Record of 48.007km in September.
While travelling to Mexico to contest the hour comes with its clear performance benefits, it also comes with substantial financial drawbacks which could end up costing in excess of €100,000.
'I have been told that 100,000 euros is the absolute minimum,' said Campenaerts. 'In that price is the bike, the equipment, the trip to Mexico, the stay there, the use of a high tent, the costs for staff, the compensation for my trainer, the rent of the track, and so on.
'I'm going three weeks before the start of the attempt to adjust to the time difference, so you also pay for that period.'
Wiggins set his record at sea level four years ago in conditions that were widely agreed as not ideal which has given many, including Campenaerts, hope of reaching the leading distance.
Campenaerts has improved in his time trialling ability over the past few seasons securing major results such as the European title and third at the World Championships, behind Rohan Dennis and Tom Dumoulin, last year. He has twice also been Belgian national champion against the clock.
He is not alone in his Hour Record aspirations with young Danish talent Mikkel Berg also posing a huge threat to Wiggins in recent times.
In reaching the 53.73km mark, not only did the Dane set a new national record but also the second-ever longest distance surpassing compatriot Madsen.
The two-time under 23 time trial World Champion is expected to attempt the record again at some point in the near future.