51,852 Kilometers of Pain and Glory
31 10월 2014
The 200m long UCI Track in Aigle, Switzerland was completely full on October 30th, 2014. From the local and cycling fans to a super bus coming straight from Matthias Brändle’s hometown, the crowd in the Velodrome pushed Matthias beyond his limits to break the Hour Record previously set one month ago by cycling legend Jens Voigt.
The 24 year old Austrian IAM Cycling rider threw himself into the attempt to etch his name in cycling history and to beat the existing record, setting the mark of 51.852 kilometers in accomplishing his goal. Having beaten the existing record by over 700 meters, Matthias now finds himself on a list that includes some of cycling’s best.
‘’I felt really good during the first 30 minutes, I knew that I will succeed. I struggled in the middle of the race but I wanted to make it. The first minutes are easy, I would go even stronger but at mid-race, it starts to be complicated, pain rises in the legs,‘’ explained Matthias.
Initially recorded at 51.850 km, the final and official distance is 51.852 km. Matthias was for a long time at a pace that would see him hit 52km before slowing down in the last quarter to achieve what is so far one of the best accomplishments of his young career since he started as a professional in 2009.
"The closer the hour comes, the easier it is, because you know it is coming to an end and you can handle the pain. I'm really stoked about it," Matthias added.
IAM Cycling Team owner’s Michel Thétaz was close by and was elated by the result. “I am very, very proud. I had no doubt he was going to succeed,” he said. “He made a terrific race and all IAM Cycling, all of us, all of my company are very proud of him.”
UCI president Brian Cookson also shared Brandle’s excitement, although his satisfaction came from seeing another rider have a go at the hour record. Stagnant for a long time, the change in rules in relation to equipment has completely changed the perception of the hour record and has renewed the interest in trying to set new marks.
“It is another notch further up,” said the Briton. Importantly, he felt that other attempts will soon follow. “I don’t think it’s out of reach for other riders, it might encourage others to have a go. But it is a really good hour record.”
