Thomas Dekker has set the date and location for his UCI Hour Record attempt, which will be broadcast live on the internet by the UCI.
The Dutchman, 30, found himself without a team after being deemed surplus to requirements when Garmin-Sharp merged with Cannondale in the winter and instead set his sights on attacking the hour.
And he will take it on at altitude in Aguascalientes, Mexico, on Wednesday February 25 after the UCI released this teaser video ahead of the attempt.
Dekker is one of several riders to put themselves in the frame for the UCI Hour Record, with Australian Jack Bobridge having fallen just short of Matthias Brandle’s 51.852km mark in Melbourne last weekend.
Bobridge’s former team pursuit team-mate Rohan Dennis – who rode with Dekker at Garmin-Sharp – will be next to take it on, in Switzerland this Sunday (February 8).
And Dekker is under no illusions as to the task he faces in Mexico.
“It feels like an honour to take part in an historical event like the UCI Hour Record,” he said. “I also know it’s a brutal event and that you need to face it with respect.
“Great riders tried to break it in the past and some succeed and some not. Matthias Brandle set a fantastic record and he is the man to beat on this moment.
“But my team-mate from last year, Rohan Dennis, is in his best form ever and a great rider. I’m curious to see what he can achieve on Sunday.”
Dekker’s attempt comes just days before Dame Sarah Storey will attempt to break the Women’s Hour Record in London at round five of the Revolution Series.
UCI President Brian Cookson said: “The start of the year is busy with several UCI Hour Record attempts, showing that this legendary event has regained its appeal since we’ve changed the rules last year.
“I am pleased to see that riders are taking on the mark beyond Europe, in territories such as Oceania and the Americas where our sport enjoys a growing popularity.
“Jack Bobridge’s attempt demonstrated that the UCI Hour Record is not an easy one to achieve. Let’s see what the riders are capable of.”
Thomas Dekker’s UCI Hour Record attempt will be broadcast live on British Eurosport 2 from 6.15pm.
