Bradley Wiggins powered around the Olympic velodrome on June 7 to set a new world record for the hour of 54.526 kilometers (33.88 miles) .
Bradley Wiggins powered around the Olympic velodrome on June 7 to set a new world record for the hour of 54.526 kilometers (33.88 miles) .
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The British rider added the prestigious accolade to his four Olympic gold medals, a historic 2012 Tour de France success and multiple world titles.
The British rider added the prestigious accolade to his four Olympic gold medals, a historic 2012 Tour de France success and multiple world titles.
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Wiggins' former Team Sky colleague Alex Dowsett set the latest leading mark of 52.937 km (32.894 miles) in Manchester on May 2, 2015.
Wiggins' former Team Sky colleague Alex Dowsett set the latest leading mark of 52.937 km (32.894 miles) in Manchester on May 2, 2015.
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The British rider is the fourth man to break the record since the latest rule change, while three have failed.
The British rider is the fourth man to break the record since the latest rule change, while three have failed.
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Germany's Jens Voigt was the first to pass the "unified record" in September when, the day after his 43rd birthday, he rode 51.110 km.
Germany's Jens Voigt was the first to pass the "unified record" in September when, the day after his 43rd birthday, he rode 51.110 km.
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images/file
Austrian Matthias Brandle beat that with 51.852 km on October 30, 2014. "I watched his record attempt," says cyclist turned writer Michael Hutchinson. "He was perfectly aware that it wouldn't last very long, he just desperately wanted to have his name on the list."
Austrian Matthias Brandle beat that with 51.852 km on October 30, 2014. "I watched his record attempt," says cyclist turned writer Michael Hutchinson. "He was perfectly aware that it wouldn't last very long, he just desperately wanted to have his name on the list."
FABRICE COFFRINI/AFP/Getty Images/file
Australia's Jack Bobridge failed in his attempt in Melbourne on January 31, 2015.
Australia's Jack Bobridge failed in his attempt in Melbourne on January 31, 2015.
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But Bobridge's compatriot Rohan Dennis pushed the record to 52.491 km on February 8.
But Bobridge's compatriot Rohan Dennis pushed the record to 52.491 km on February 8.
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Dennis' mark was beyond Dutch cyclist Thomas Dekker in his attempt at altitude in Mexico on February 25, 2015.
Dennis' mark was beyond Dutch cyclist Thomas Dekker in his attempt at altitude in Mexico on February 25, 2015.
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The record was first officially set in 1893, but cycling legend Eddy Merckx's 1972 mark of 49.431 km was a longtime benchmark in the modern era.
The record was first officially set in 1893, but cycling legend Eddy Merckx's 1972 mark of 49.431 km was a longtime benchmark in the modern era.
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Merckx's record lasted 12 years until Italian cyclist Francesco Moser -- pictured here in 2014 -- broke it twice in five days as he employed groundbreaking technology, with rides of 50.808 km and 51.151 km in Mexico.
Merckx's record lasted 12 years until Italian cyclist Francesco Moser -- pictured here in 2014 -- broke it twice in five days as he employed groundbreaking technology, with rides of 50.808 km and 51.151 km in Mexico.
Bryn Lennon - Velo/Getty Images/file
That milestone remained unbroken until the next decade, when Graeme Obree set 51.596 km in Norway in 1993 -- and six days later his British rival Chris Boardman broke it again with 52.270 km.
That milestone remained unbroken until the next decade, when Graeme Obree set 51.596 km in Norway in 1993 -- and six days later his British rival Chris Boardman broke it again with 52.270 km.
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Obree rode a homemade bike and created ingenious new body positions -- an approach that was frowned upon by cycling's ruling body, who banned the Scot's innovations wherever possible.
Obree rode a homemade bike and created ingenious new body positions -- an approach that was frowned upon by cycling's ruling body, who banned the Scot's innovations wherever possible.
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Obree's 1994 mark of 52.713 km was beaten the same year by Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain (53.040 km).
Obree's 1994 mark of 52.713 km was beaten the same year by Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain (53.040 km).
ROBERTO SCHMIDT/AFP/Getty Images/file
Then came Tony Rominger. In consecutive months at the end of 1994, the Swiss put considerable distance on his rivals. First he posted 53.832 km and then cracked a new milestone with 55.291 km.
Then came Tony Rominger. In consecutive months at the end of 1994, the Swiss put considerable distance on his rivals. First he posted 53.832 km and then cracked a new milestone with 55.291 km.
Pascal Rondeau/ALLSPORT/file
Not to be outdone, Boardman employed Obree's new "Superman" position to set a new mark of 56.3759 km. Appalled, the UCI reset the record to 1972 and ruled that all future attempts must use the technology available to Merckx at that time.
Not to be outdone, Boardman employed Obree's new "Superman" position to set a new mark of 56.3759 km. Appalled, the UCI reset the record to 1972 and ruled that all future attempts must use the technology available to Merckx at that time.
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Boardman, cheered on by his wife Sally, was the first to break the record under the new "old" criteria. He set 49.441 km in Manchester in 2000 -- just 10 meters better than Merckx -- as he ended his illustrious career.
Boardman, cheered on by his wife Sally, was the first to break the record under the new "old" criteria. He set 49.441 km in Manchester in 2000 -- just 10 meters better than Merckx -- as he ended his illustrious career.
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Under such tough restrictions, few riders attempted the record. When Czech Ondrej Sosenka set a new mark of 49.700 km in 2005, it made just a ripple of headlines.
Under such tough restrictions, few riders attempted the record. When Czech Ondrej Sosenka set a new mark of 49.700 km in 2005, it made just a ripple of headlines.
YVES BOUCAU/AFP/Getty Images/file
Since the rules changed again 2014 to allow standard track pursuit bikes, there have been multiple attempts. Britain's Sarah Storey failed to set a new women's mark on February 28, 2015.
Since the rules changed again 2014 to allow standard track pursuit bikes, there have been multiple attempts. Britain's Sarah Storey failed to set a new women's mark on February 28, 2015.
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French cyclist Jeannie Longo set the women's record four times in the 1980s and '90s. Before unification, the leading mark was 46.065 km set by Dutch rider Leontien van Moorsel in 2003, surpassing Longo.
French cyclist Jeannie Longo set the women's record four times in the 1980s and '90s. Before unification, the leading mark was 46.065 km set by Dutch rider Leontien van Moorsel in 2003, surpassing Longo.
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Longo's coach Jean-Pierre Demenois set the "Master 65" category record of 42.614 km in 2011.
Longo's coach Jean-Pierre Demenois set the "Master 65" category record of 42.614 km in 2011.
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The hour record is one of the toughest achievements in world sport. Here British rider Darren Kenny recovers after setting a new Paralympic mark of 40.156 km on February 14, 2009.
The hour record is one of the toughest achievements in world sport. Here British rider Darren Kenny recovers after setting a new Paralympic mark of 40.156 km on February 14, 2009.
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