Thomas Dekker (Unattached/Netherlands)
Thomas Dekker (Unattached/Netherlands)
Thomas Dekker was released by Garmin-Sharp this winter after the team merged with Cannondale and announced his plans to tackle the hour record the following day.
Dekker signed for Garmin-Sharp in 2012 after serving a two-year suspension for doping but the 30-year-old will be without a team for next year as it stands, choosing instead to turn his attention to an hour record attempt in the spring.
A two-time former national time trial champion, Dekker’s form has been poor of late, dropping down the pecking order and finding success both as a domestique and as a challenger in his own right hard to come by.
With no distraction from the road, Dekker will be able to commit fully to the hour record attempt but with attempts being announced thick and fast, he may find the current mark significantly improved upon by the time he takes a bash at it.
Dekker has branded his hour record ride a do-or-die attempt and he has much work to do to avoid it being the latter.
Hour record credentials
Palmares: Two-time former national time trial champion, prior to his ban for doping
Likelihood of attempt: 7/10
Chances of record: 4/10