Rohan Dennis breaks track cycling's hour world record

Rohan Dennis won Olympic silver in London with the Australian pursuit team

Australian Rohan Dennis has set a new hour world record of 52.491km on the track in Grenchen, Switzerland.

The 24-year-old broke the previous mark of 51.852km set by Austrian Matthias Brandle last October in Switzerland.

Last month, England's Alex Dowsett postponed his attempt to break the record after a slower than expected start to his recovery from injury.

Sir Bradley Wiggins has also expressed an interest in a record attempt this year but a date has yet to be set.

Dennis, who won the recent Tour Down Under road race, is the second man this year to attempt the record after compatriot Jack Bobridge recently went close.

Dennis, 24, was world pursuit champion on the track in 2011 and Olympic silver medallist in London with the Australian pursuit team.