Tuesday 21 April 2015 17:07, UK
Dame Sarah Storey remains confident of breaking the women’s world hour record on Saturday despite having to put the needs of her baby before her bike in her final week of preparation.
Storey has a 20-month-old daughter and has had to combine training for one of cycling’s toughest tests with mothering duties for the past two months.
That balancing act reached a head on Tuesday, when her daughter fell ill and caused Storey to miss crucial rest.
She told skysports.com: “The poor little mite had a tummy bug earlier this week, which only cleared up on Wednesday. So after a couple of nights of very little sleep, I’m hoping for a good night in the run-up to the event.
“I have got so much support from my husband and my parents, but every now and then you get a spanner thrown in the works. But these things happen and it’s all part of life.
“I’m definitely at that point every athlete can identify with where you are just ready to do it now. There’s an element of confidence, obviously, but nothing is a foregone conclusion. I am excited to see how far I can ride.”
Storey will make her attempt at London’s Lee Valley VeloPark and is looking to surpass the existing record of 46.065km, which was set by the Netherlands’ Leontien van Moorsel in 2003.
Although male riders have been queuing up to attack the hour record following rule changes last May, the female record has attracted less attention and Storey is keen to show the women's version is just as prestigious as the men’s.
“It has been a very male-dominated event,” she adds. “Success or not, whatever the distance I happen to do on Saturday, the women’s record is now being talked about alongside the men’s and I really hope that another woman comes forward and does it very soon because that is what records are there for. They are there to be challenged, they are there to be broken.”
The five men to attempt the hour record since last year’s changes have so far have taken very different approaches. Germany’s Jens Voigt started slowly but finished with a flourish, while Australia’s Jack Bobridge went out fast but blew up spectacularly in the latter stages as his bid fell short.
Storey, however, will follow the template set by Rohan Dennis, who used a consistent pace to set a so far unbeaten men’s record earlier in February.
“The approach that Rohan Dennis took is similar to the one I have been approaching in training,” she said. “We are hoping for a flat-line approach to hold on that pace for as long as possible.
“We have got some lap times we think I am capable of holding, which is two to three-tenths quicker than the current record."
Dame Sarah Storey’s attempt at the prestigious hour record is part of a full weekend of elite racing at the Revolution Series over 27/28 February, with tickets ranging from £10 to £45 and available to buy at cyclingrevolution.com or by calling 0844 854 2016.
