Evelyn Stevens (USA) broke the Women’s UCI Hour Record on Saturday by covering 47.980 km at theColorado Springs Olympic Training Center Velodrome in the United States.
The 32-year-old rider added 1098 metres to the record set just over a month ago by Bridie O’Donnell (AUS)
at the Adelaide Super-Drome, Australia.
Stevens accomplished her feat on Colorado Springs’ 333-metre banked cement track, which sits at just over6,000 feet above sea level and is covered by a newly-constructed winter dome.
The rider from the Boels Dolmans Cycling Team – a road specialist – is the second American to beat therecord after her compatriot Molly Shaffer Van Houweling’s successful attempt on September 12th 2015 inAguascalientes, Mexico.
A five-time UCI Road World Championships medallist and 2012 Olympian in London, Stevens is nowtargeting an Olympic medal in Rio this summer.
The American’s achievement is borne from the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) modernising the rulesregarding the UCI Hour Record in May 2014; the record can now be tackled using any bicycle that conformsto the rules defining the characteristics of the bicycles used in endurance track events.
Following the rule change, eight men have challenged the record, with Bradley Wiggins setting the currentbar of 54.526 km. In addition to Bridie O’Donnell and Molly Shaffer Van Houweling, Sarah Storey also had ago at the women’s record.
After her attempt, the new Women’s UCI Hour Record holder said: "It’s not common that you get thechance to set a new World Record. Could not have been a more perfect day. I just want to celebrate witheveryone now!"
"I would like to congratulate ‘Evie’ on her achievement tonight. Bridie O’Donnell’s record stood for fiveweeks and we have already seen two attempts this year despite only being in February", announced UCIPresident Brian Cookson.
"Two years after the rule change, riders’ interest in the UCI Hour Record has not waned. From Europe toNorth America via Oceania, one after another the athletes are pitting their strength against our sport’slegendary event, in front of fans who can follow live their exploits on our YouTube channel."
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