Denmark’s Alex Rasmussen was part of the national team’s silver medal-winning World Championship team pursuit squad in 2014 but will not ride for them next year.

Instead, Rasmussen hopes his track background will stand  him in good stead for a shot at the hour record, having expressed his interest after Jens Voigt’s successful attempt in September.

The Dane has four World Championship gold medals to his name and has enjoyed Six Day success on the track, too.

And while his road career has stalled since his suspension for missing a doping control in 2011, Rasmussen will use the attempt to propel his name back into the limelight next year.

One of two Danes linked with an attempt on the record – Rasmsus Quaade being the other – Rasmussen is claimed to be considering an autumn attempt, by which point other big-name track-road converts could have pushed the mark out a fair way.

However, Rasmussen is keen to use the record as a new goal, with his national commitments now over. Both he and Quaade have the pedigree, but their chances will both depend heavily on what mark they are contending for.

Hour record credentials

Palmares: Four world championship gold medals on the track
Likelihood of attempt: 7/10
Chances of record: 5/10