Bradley Wiggins lays down gauntlet with new hour world record

Britain’s Bradley Wiggins smashed the UCI (International Cycling Union) hour record at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London on Sunday.

Wiggins’ distance of 54.526km eclipsed the previous record of 52.937km set by fellow British rider Alex Dowsett in Manchester last month.

However, Wiggins’ ambitious target of 55km – which he had indicated beforehand might set a record that would stand for a generation – proved even beyond the British cycling great.

“I’m just glad it’s done,” Wiggins told Sky Sports. “That’s the closest to knowing what it’s like to have a baby. It was tortuous. You’re counting down the minutes.

“We’ve been through a lot as a little team, my wife and kids know a lot about air pressure.

“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.”

He was roared on to the new mark by a packed crowd, that included Wiggins’ childhood hero and former hour record-holder Miguel Indurain, at what was the 2012 London Olympic Velodrome.