ALEX Dowsett is aiming to regain the UCI Hour Record after it was broken by Sir Bradley Wiggins.

Maldon-born Dowsett set a target of 52.937-kilometres last month in Manchester as he claimed the new record.

But on Sunday, Wiggins, the 2012 Tour de France champion, four-time Olympic gold medallist and world time-trial champion, set 54.526km at the Lee Valley VeloPark – formerly known as the Olympic Velodrome.

Wiggins went past Dowsett’s record of 212 laps, with one minute and 42 seconds to spare and eventually completed 218 laps.

Dowsett, who is currently racing at the Critérium du Dauphiné, believes that he could have set the bar higher during his attempt last month and is up for having another go at the record.

He said: “It is an event I enjoyed.

“I enjoyed the build-up and executing it. It is right up my street as a time trialist with a track background.

“My record attempt was very well calculated and we only set out to break the record.

“If you go out too fast then you will suffer and pay for it later on.

“We ran a very conservative race and I could have gone faster.

“I would like to go back and see what I am capable of, whether that be next year or in eight years’ time.”

Steve Collins, who helped Dowsett train for his record attempt on May 2, had raised some controversy by claiming Wiggins’ bike was not commercially available and therefore against regulations and that he had had too much help from British Cycling.

The UCI, however, said in a statement: “Bradley Wiggins’ bike and equipment were thoroughly assessed by UCI officials before and after the UCI Hour Record attempt and were judged to be fully compliant with UCI regulations.”

Dowsett was unconcerned by the claims.

He said: “I had massive support from my team and sponsors so it was not something that crossed my mind.

“I never asked British Cycling for any help but if I had, I probably would have got some.

“I had more than enough support from my own team.”