ALEX Dowsett has ridden into the history books and set the new Hour Record.

The cyclist from Cock Clarks set the record at the Manchester Velodrome on Saturday afternoon.

The Movistar rider smashed Rohan Dennis’ world record distance of 52.491km, setting 52.937km in 60 minutes.

The 26 year-old 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medal time trial winner, said: “I was expecting horrific but it was just terrible.

“I am not going to lie, the first 30 minutes was easier than I expected.

“Every time I have got on the bike it has got faster.

“There have been constant little modifications, some that will only last an hour.

“So this was the first time we have run at a high temperature.

“I knew it was going to be easy early on but I wasn’t expecting that but just had to stay disciplined “The last ten minutes was a bit grippy.

“I have got a lot of people to thank.

“It’s not been easy since back in November we started to think about the hour record.

“I’d like to thank the crowd the last five minutes it was all down to them.

“The coaches gave me a plan that I actually didn’t like that much before the race.

“Deep down I knew it was the right plan, basically I am not very good at changing pace.

“We knew we would ride at an even pace that would put me behind Rohan until 45 minutes and I wasn’t too keen on that.

“So I think it was at the half way point that I went up and I knew about it and I knew I had a lot left in the tank.

“I think I got a bit excited halfway and posted some quick times.”

Bradley Wiggins will attempt to beat Dowsett’s record in London on June 7.