Photography by Ulf Schiller/schillerphoto.com

Voigt smashes world hour record, covers 51.115 kilometres

By Shane Stokes

Achieving the goal he announced earlier this month, Jens Voigt entered a very select group of riders in breaking the world hour record in Switzerland today.

The Trek Factory Racing rider clocked up an impressive 51.115 kilometres in his effort on the Grenchen track, beating the previous record of 49.7 kilometres. This was set by the Czech Ondrej Sosenka on a standard bike on July 19, 2005 in Moscow.

Voigt turned 43 years of age on Wednesday, one day prior to his effort, and his beating of the record was the final point in a long pro career.

The resurgence of interest in the hour record came after a change in the UCI presidency one year ago. Brian Cookson’s tenure saw a relaxation of the UCI rules, thus meaning riders were no longer being required to use the same sort of bike as used by Eddy Merckx in 1972.

This enabled Voigt to use an aerodynamic frame, twin disk wheels and tri bars, and helped him in his task today.

Voigt’s effort was precisely calculated beforehand and he largely stuck to the schedule, although he admitted starting faster than was planned. After ten minutes he was 12.587 seconds up on the former record, then was 24.367 seconds ahead after twenty minutes.

His half hour pace saw him 34.489 seconds ahead and he was just under a minute faster after 40 minutes. He then ramped up the speed at that point, dipping under 17 seconds on lap 181 and continuing to pour it on.

His average speed crept up as a result and extended past 51 kilometres per hour close to the end.

Voigt is known for his wavering riding style, and prior to the effort many pondered how much further he would end up covering as a result of this. Team manager Luca Guercilena spoke to CyclingTips about this, confirming it was something Trek Factory Racing was aware of, but saying that they had worked with Voigt to try to minimise this.

That work paid off, with the rider looking smoother than expected. He also showed strong composure, with a couple of short periods out of the saddle plus a growing grimace near the end the only signs that he was under pressure.

The negative split technique employed kept something in reserve. As a result he accelerated towards the end, ramping up the pace. This resulted in a final finishing distance of 51.115, 1.415 kilometres further than Sosenka’s record, and moved the hour record into a new era.

“I knew it was the last time in my life that I had to push like this. Because it was the last time in my career, it was easy to turn myself inside out for it,” he said afterwards.

“My strategy was quite conservative. I went too quick at the beginning, then I had to slow down. But then 20 minutes from the end I decided to accelerate. I started pushing it as I was well within my comfort zone. In the end, going over 51 kilometres is much faster than I had expected. I am really, really satisfied.

“We will see what happens to the record with the other riders out there.”

Guercilena was enthusiastic about the outcome, although he admitted that he hoped Voigt would have exceeded the 51.151 Francesco Moser set in Mexico city in January 1984. [Note: this was on a now-banned bike, explaining why it and subsequent marks by Graeme Obree, Chris Boardman, Miguel Indurain and Tony Rominger no longer apply].

“At the end I was really hoping he could beat the time of Moser because that was the first reference for the hour record and that would have been good,” he said. “He was really, really close. It was a really nice way to finish his career with a good performance, and we gave him all our support and this is what he deserved.

“I am really happy the event went well. We all watched [the Hour Record] from a computer in Spain and I can say it was inspirational, and has given us a boost for Sunday.”

Voigt appeared to recover very quickly at the end, but confirmed the physical discomfort that he felt during his effort. “Having this cramped up position to hold for an hour is pretty tough. Basically the place where I sit on the saddle was really beginning to hurt and giving me a lot of pain, so every 10 laps I got out of the seat to stretch and release some pressure of my behind, so to speak. I am happy that I don’t have to sit on the saddle for the next days now!

“I remember how Chris Boardman was walking after his effort and I am not far off from that. I am basically limping. It hurts in my glutes!

“Boardman was my first roommate in 1997 and I can’t ask for a better good-bye than this.”

He thanked the fans for their support, saying that they were vital in helping him achieve the record he did. “The fans have been absolutely wonderful. They have been with me throughout. Their support was vital to this challenge. I reckon they are for half a kilometre per hour, just the atmosphere.”

Voigt will now retire from the sport, one month after he was originally scheduled to do so. He said that taking a place in the history of one of the most hallowed challenges in cycling was something he was extremely proud of.

“Now I am on the list, nobody is going to strike me off it. My name is up there. To be up there with like of Eddy Merckx, Boardman, Indurain…I am now proud that my little name is with them.

“It’s one of the biggest highlights of my career. Now I can take the plane back home. There is a pizza waiting for me..!”

Tags: hour record, jens voigt, world hour record

David Gardiner Garcia

fantastic
Mihai Bordeanu

http://youtu.be/d0JGt8m0WHE - here the full record of the attempt
- Dave
  
  WARNING: contains excessive amounts of Carlton Kirby.
  
  Use the UCI world feed instead: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjjM2tI6THs
  - Mihai Bordeanu
    
    :)
http://whatspossible.com.au/ Scott Barrow

Congratulations! Well done.
Paul Jakma

Sorry Jensie, but you had an aero TT bike that should have easily given you a 3 kilometre advantage, probably more. Yet you only beat Merckx by 1.7 kilometres. I.e. you’d have been about 2 kilometres down, probably more, on Merckx if you’d done it on a road bike.
- Sean
  
  I don’t think you realise just how awesome Jens is, he’s only a completely different level to that Merckx or whatever you call him.
  - campirecord
    
    This says it all… LOL
- scottmanning
  
  Doesn’t work like that. He beat the record within the rules. I agree he had an advantage but so does every world record beater just about. Be it swimming, they get new swimming suit, running where there are advances is shoe or track technology. There is always some advance in tech that assists records to be broken.
  - Jerome
    
    I agree that the aero advantage voigt enjoyed played a vast role in him beating the record, but conversely held him back from beating better ‘best human effort’ times. Perhaps in the modern era the record could be reduced to how much power a rider can average over an hour to ensure maximal inter generational comparison
- Wecandobetterthanthis
  
  Sorry Paul, you will never be in the company of Jens Voight. He will be remembered for the this achievement and a career that entertained us all.
- jules
  
  it does make Merckx’s mark look impressive. am i spoiling it to wonder if Merckx had other advantages though?
  - Michele
    
    Eddy claims he had two choices to beat the Hour Record. His doctor told him to either take up:
    
    Option A = dope, or
    
    Option B = complete the attempt at altitude.
    
    History shows that he did his attempt at altitude. Of course, we can’t be 100% sure he didn’t that Eddy didn’t take up:
    
    Option C = All of the Above.
    - jules
      
      i’m reminded one early pros quote (can’t remember who) that he only doped when necessary. but that it was almost always necessary :)
      - donncha
        
        Anquetil I think.
        
        Shane Stokes
        
        I’m pretty sure it was Fausto Coppi…but Anquetil had a similar attitude. Ate pills like tic-tacs!
- mattb
  
  i am pretty sure if Jens beat it by 5km some people would say that Merckx would’ve done better. and you know what they would probably be right. I doubt that Voight would claim to be better than Merckx- but that’s not the point.
  Take it for what it is - a great effort that has set a new benchmark.
- Robert Merkel
  
  Nobody - least of all Voigt - is claiming that this effort was a better physiological effort than Merckx, or that Voigt is a better cyclist than Merckx. Voigt himself has said that he expects that when the great TTers of the current era - Wiggins, Fabs, or Martin - have a go, his record will be obliterated.
  - Michele
    
    That’s the one problem with the hour record. Everyone starts making comparisons.
    
    Voigt’s record is what it is. And he is right. Obree said he thought Jens would do 51kms. He also thinks Tony Martin would do 54kms.
    - Stompin
      
      Until these other riders have a crack at the hour, it doesn’t matter one hoot what anyone says or thinks, Jen Voight put his money where his mouth is and did it.
      - Michele
        
        Spot on.
        
        I think others will follow suit. I hope so at least. This might end up being another small chapter in Jens’ legacy.
        
        Hats off to Jens. I’ve only just watched the Hour this afternoon. Surprised how smooth he was.
        
        That would’ve taken a lot out of him; the concentration to keep his shape for the hour was pretty impressive.
- djconnel
  
  This is sort of silly, because nobody claims Jens Voigt is the modern equal of Eddy Merckx, nor obviously is Jen anywhere close to his age of physical peak, Merckx having been retired over 11 years by his 43rd birthday. But even so, Merckx was at 2250 meters altitude, a huge advantage, while Voigt was at 420 meters. Rather than compare Voigt to Merckx, Voigt to an EPO-saturated Moser, Voigt to anyone, isn’t the point. He had a target set by the UCI and he did that. It was an impressive end to an epic career.
  - Shane Stokes
    
    Good point - I think it’s also a triumph for his team. Given the big gap since the record was done, the allowed technology which made it likely the record would be beaten and also Jens Voigt’s own popularity, it was almost certain it would generate huge publicity. That goal was achieved and Trek must be extremely happy with the result. What bets Specialized might have a quiet word of encouragement with Tony Martin? :)
    - JBS
      
      or Andy Rihs in Cadel’s ear? Wasn’t the track just down the road from BMC headquarters?
    - Stompin
      
      Oh man, Tony Martin for sure, or Spartacus… or both dueling it out at the same time in two different venues, ok now I’m getting carried away!!
CC

Amazing effort, I was blown away by how smooth he was. Hope he sticks around after retiring
Nick

Why isn’t he wearing shoe covers?
- Anthony
  
  It’s not raining
- Sean
  
  He’s not on beach road in summer.
- jules
  
  i’ve heard that UCI rules apparently ban unnecessary attire. (being aero doesn’t make them necessary)
  - Dave
    
    Same rules as for track racing.
    
    If you want that shit, go for the IHPVA record.
- MickyC
  
  Not allowed
- xponti
  
  He doesn’t need to. The air is scared to touch Jens’ shoes….
  - Abdu
    
    +1
    You win the internet today. V funny.
Ian

Will be have a run of “It hurts in my glutes” t-shirts :)
Robert Merkel

For what it’s worth, I reckon this is a great end and a great beginning.

It’s a great end to the career to a rider who was talented (if not the most talented), got the maximum out of the talent that he had both for himself and others, was seemingly respected by all within the peloton, and took his responsibilities to those who paid his salary (the fans) seriously.

And it’s a great beginning to a new era for a marquee event for the sport. I think the new rules, though the transition is a little awkward, are very sensible, and having Jens’ name on the top of the new page is a good start.
- velocite
  
  That’s a great point, about his responsibility to his fans. Is it the usual thing for elite sportsmen to reach out to fans? Probably not. Lance did, made a huge difference to cycling. How do you do it? Social media, I don’t ‘do’ that, but was that a key to Jensie’s act?
  
  I think for lots of us our fancies were tickled some years ago during a Tour when he expounded, with humour and enthusiasm, on how much he enjoyed inflicting pain!
  - Dave
    
    Connecting with fans is a bloody good thing to do, all the smart athletes do it because it sets them up for life after sport.
    
    Go to an AFL home match at Adelaide Oval and you’ll find there’s only one player who gets the whole crowd chanting his name every match - Eddie Betts. If he has another couple of good years with the Crows, he’ll be set up for life.
http://www.interpedalers.com interpedalers

What a champ!
brucegray

Eddy was 27 when he set his record. Jens is 43. Keep that in mind at your next club race!
- Michele
  
  Eddy probably ate a 4 kilogram medium rare steak at breakfast for energy and then smoked a packet of Camels to open up his airways. Then proceeded to do his ride in a woollen 2 piece outfit.
  
  Times have changed. Yep, Jens is 43, but we are still comparing - to some degree at least - mandarins with oranges.
  
  Too many variables to consider. Nutrition, aero knicks, rolling resistance of tyres and of the velodromes boards vs. concrete. Indoors vs. Outdoors. etc etc etc.
  
  Mandarins v Oranges.
  
  I’m not dissing Jens - far from it. An amazing feat really. Just saying we probably shouldn’t be comparing.
  
  P.S. I will take the encouragement on board. I’m 42 in December - so I’m not fearful of any 27 yo! :)
  - Paleo Pete
    
    There is nothing wrong with having a 2 or 4KG streak for breakfast. I went paleo (it’s a new diet if you don’t know google it) and now carry grass fed steaks in my jersey, use chunks of lard instead of toxic gels. Try it next time you have a big race, the human body runs best on grass fed meat and healthy fats.
    
    Humans aren’t designed to eat the modern diet and thats why we’re all suffering tragic and often fatal diseases like grain brain and wheat belly. Eddy was onto something.
Dodster

#ShutUpHour
Steel

The advancements in bike design plays a part, but physiology has moved on too. Jens is 191cm vs Merckx 182 cm. I’m not an expert on this, but I would’ve thought that if Jens can attain a reasonable TT position compared to Merckx, his longer legs give him a reasonable leverage advantage.
Rom

That’d be TT bars, not Tri bars.
echidna_sg

amazing really that everyone is fawning over this and (at the time) jack bobridge’s effort to take down boardman’s “unbeatable” 4km IP record was merely *ho hum* - wrong bike sponsor perhaps? I’m sure trek thinks they will sell a shedload of new bikes off the back of this, but somehow I think brand Jensie has risen above that…
- Dave
  
  Bobridge doesn’t have a personal fan base.
  - echidna_sg
    
    agreed. I know which is the more amazing record though and its not this one… Jens set a record in what is effectively a new class - its amazing, but he is still many km behind the marks set by indurain, boardman and co… whereas bobridge beat out even those set using what the UCI now calls illegal positions. Give it another 5 years and who knows what the records will be using the UCI standard of the day…
Kev

Lets rejoice in a champion of cycling. No need to compare across eras. This ride is great, Jens will always be a legend of the sport.
- CarloHoltz
  
  Gonna be exciting to see the rest of the lot have a go at it now. But would be awesome to see Marianne Vos having a go.
  - Dave
    
    With regards to the women’s record, I think Vos would be most equivalent to Voigt in laying down a marker for others to smash. Ellen van Dijk and Linda Villumsen should both be able to put 4-5 km on Vos.
    - Michele
      
      I agree. Linda Villumsen is an absolute talent on a TT bike.
pedr09

Love how Jens just gets and idea and then goes and does it. No fear, no stutter stepping, no double-talk, no maybe’s, no big build-up, just 100% action.
Alan

Doesn’t look any less areo than T Rominger’s position. He clocked over 55km!!!
Jack

Be interesting to see the power data for the hour, Did the bike have any sort of power meter on it?
- Dave
  
  Yes. As per normal track racing rules, the head unit was mounted behind the seat post so it could be used only for recording telemetry and not to be viewed by the rider during the event.
  
  There’s probably next to no chance of the team releasing the data to the public, not so long as any of it remains of any use for them in putting together a future attempt with another rider.