A Dutch team failed in their bid to set a new speed record at the World Human Powered Speed Challenge in Battle Mountain, Nevada last weekend, despite winning the event.
The current benchmark of 82.819mph (133.28km/h), set by Sam Whittingham at the same event three years ago, proved a bridge to far for the Velox2 Team.
Former world champion recumbent cyclist and VeloX2 rider Sebastiaan Bowier had to settle for taking overall honours with a top speed of 80.094mph (128.9km/h).
The Nevada track is a magnet for people looking to break speed records; at 10km long and at an altitude of around 1,500m, it’s one of the straightest uninterrupted strips of asphalt in the world.
Graeme Obree was originally planning to take aim at the record on the track on his own unique bike but was forced to pull out earlier this summer due to issues in its development. He’ll reconvene later in the year at a to-be-announced venue in Britain.
