Vittoria Bussi has set a new UCI Hour Record of 48.007 kilometres at the Velodromo Bicentenario in Aguascalientes (Mexico), situated 1,800 metres above sea level. The Italian rider beat the previous record, set by Evelyn Stevens on February 27, 2016 in Colorado Springs (USA) by 27 metres.
At a first attempt made in Aguascalientes on October 6, 2017, Vittoria Bussi fell short of the record by 400 metres (less than two laps). The Italian athlete made a second attempt, on September 12, the day before her record, but stopped before the end.
Vittoria Bussi was the fifth rider to take on this legendary challenge since the UCI Hour Record regulations were amended in 2014, reviving the interest of riders, broadcasters and fans.
Specialising in endurance sports, Vittoria Bussi is a former athlete and triathlete and has participated in the World Cross Country Championships and European Athletics Championships. Bronze medallist in the time trial at the Italian National Championships in 2014, she has also finished in the top 10 at several UCI 1.1 class races.
She has been preparing this attempt with her team for the last year, and in July came to train at the UCI World Cycling Centre, headquarters of the International Federation, in Aigle (Switzerland).
“We’ve witnessed a wonderful achievement,” said UCI President David Lappartient. “I congratulate Vittoria Bussi and her team, which helped her rise to the challenge with success. It is excellent to see women athletes attack the UCI Hour Record time by Tissot. Our determination to develop women’s cycling, in line with the Agenda 2022 adopted by the UCI, includes the desire to see more women competing. We are therefore delighted that the UCI Hour Record timed by Tissot attracts interest from women as well as men.”
