1 hour cycling record just set by Filippo Ganna, 26yr old Italian – 56.7km – just a month after 31yr old Brit Dan Bigham, professional rider but also aerodynamics consultant to cycling teams, who was masterminding Ganna’s attempt. 

Used 3D printed Pinarello bike with tooth shaped tube profiles (newly allowed).  3D printing means quicker development.

Soon after he also broke 4000m pursuit record, first ever sub 4 minute time at sea level.

The hour record has a great history – holders include Eddy Merckx, whose record stood for 12 years (although performed in Mexico city at altitude).  The person who broke his record was using disc wheels and a suit, so quite a lot of tech help.

In the 1990s Scotland’s Graeme Obree set new records using a “praying mantis” arm position, hands tucked under his body, and a home made bike famously including bearings from a washing machine.

In 1996 Chris Boardman set a new record using another of Obree’s unusual positions, the “Superman” position, and an upgraded Lotus bike (which he used to win Olympic gold in South Africa, where he famously lapped his opponent in the process). These attempts were eventually ruled “unofficial” and put into a category of “best human effort” rather than being listed as official UCI records. 

Bradley Wiggins held the record for a while too.

The new record beats both official UCI and “best human effort” records, so you can’t really argue with it being the fastest.

These are not the fastest cycling records, however.  For that you have to look at reclining bicycles with aerodynamic shells. Current record is 92km, set outdoors on a car racing circuit, by Francesco Russo, who amazingly does not have a wikipedia page. With this backwards facing bike, he can achieve speeds over 100km/hr.