Armstrong would have to do without this aero equipment (Image credit: Gary Boulanger)
By Gregor Brown
Francesco Moser tipped seven-time Tour de France winner Lance Armstrong to break the current hour record and added to speculation that the American could make an attempt as part of his comeback to cycling.
"If I was him I would be back to break the hour record, not for the Tour [de France]," said Italy's Moser to La Gazzetta dello Sport. "I am not saying that he can't return to the top, but he has everything to lose. Re-entering a Grand Tour after three years is risky."
Moser set the hour record 25 years ago, January 23, 1984, with a distance of 51.151 kilometers. He beat the time set by Eddy Merckx 12 years prior, though he used a non-standard bike. The current record on a road-style bike stands at 49.7 kilometers, set by Ondrej Sosenka in July 2005.
Armstrong returned to professional racing this month after he had retired three years prior following his 2005 Tour de France victory. His main goals are the Giro d'Italia, May 9 to 31, and the Tour de France, July 4 to 26.
Moser's comments add to other recent news reports that the hour record maybe under investigation by Armstrong and his coach, Chris Carmichael. The last time he talked about the record was during the build up to his 2005 Tour victory.
Perhaps Armstrong could make a record attempt in Moser's home country at the inauguration of the new velodrome in Montichiari, Brescia. The track is indoors with a 250-metre wood surface.
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The record is established by covering furthest distance on a track in a period of 60 minutes. The International Cycling Union (UCI) created limits in 2000 regarding the use of special equipment, disallowing aero helmets, wheels and frames.
