Filippo Ganna has won his bet. On Saturday October 8, at the velodrome in Granges, Switzerland, the 26-year-old Italian cyclist broke the mythical hour record. In sixty minutes, the runner from the Ineos-Grenadiers team has covered 56.792 kilometers and improves on the mark previously held… by his own engineer (55.548 km).
In August, Daniel Bigham had indeed created a sensation by beating Victor Campenaerts’ record, achieved in 2019. The British engineer’s objective was only to collect as much information as possible for Filippo Ganna’s attempt.
⏱ 56.792 KM ‼️ @GannaFilippo has set a new @Tissot #UCIHourRecord ? https://t.co/JgqUwLhW7d
A performance that undoubtedly allowed the double world champion to achieve his feat. Positioned perfectly in an aerodynamic position on a prototype bike whose frame was printed in 3D, the Transalpin broke the record. He even does better than Chris Boardman (56.375 km), former record holder, before his performance in 1996 was erased from the shelves due to a change in hardware regulations.
“Achieving this fantastic goal is extraordinary, he reacted after the race, visibly moved. This result is amazing. »
A cautious start
In front of an increasingly enthusiastic public over the laps, he initially made a cautious start, counting up to four seconds behind Daniel Bigham’s lap times after ten minutes on the stopwatch. Filippo Ganna finally passed for the first time on the basis of the record after twenty minutes of racing. Then, his lead only increased exponentially: eleven seconds at halfway, more than thirty seconds at two-thirds. He even approached the 57 km/h mark.
Seeing Filippo Ganna attempt, and above all succeed, this record, is not surprising as he excels in the particular exercise of the time trial. However, his season was crossed by several major disappointments: only seventh in the time trial of the world road championships in Australia, he was also beaten in the European championships and in the two times of the Tour de France.
Filippo Ganna could try the experience again in the future to further improve his brand. “Maybe we’ll choose another time in the season with better legs and maybe a little more altitude [qui favorise la vitesse] », confided the new record holder.
The Piedmontese will have to quickly remobilize. He is expected in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines for the World Track Cycling Championships which begin on Wednesday October 12. Ganna is expected to defend her tag team pursuit title there. His short season on the track could then eclipse that on the road.