Matthias Brandle breaks track cycling's hour world record

Austria's Matthias Brandle has set a new hour world record of 51.850km at Switzerland's Aigle Velodrome.

The 24-year-old eclipsed the previous record set by Germany's Jens Voigt last month by more than 700m.

"I knew after 30 minutes that I was going to succeed," said Brandle, the three-time Austrian time-trial champion.

"Halfway through, things became more complicated and I started to feel pain. I am very happy with the result."

Voigt set 51.115km on 18 September.

Britain's Sir Bradley Wiggins has set his sights on breaking the record next year.

In addition, Essex-born cyclist Alex Dowsett and Switzerland's multiple time-trial world champion Fabian Cancellara have also expressed an interest in attempting it.