Written by Dodge at 17:28 21/8-2014
He might be coming to the tailend of his career, but that doesn't mean that timetrial specialist Fenton Sommers is coasting till inevitable retirement.
The former Volta ao Porto stage winner set his sights on a unique target this season — training to once again smash the Hour Record at Leopoldbahn in Munich. Sommers clocked 49.790km back in Season 16, winning the coveted title of the best ever time in the German arena.
The record has been broken only once since, by Italian rider Maximiliano Bellotti (50.308km), something that did not sit well with Sommers. He had been training for most of this season for an attempt at regaining the record and finally went for it on Day 68 of Season 29.
"I knew I was making good time, but it wasn't till I broke the 50km mark that I realised that I was actually going to do it," the Australian rider told reporters gathered at the arena to watch his attempt.
"My legs had been killing me in the last ten minutes, but when I passed Maximiliano's record, it was as if the pain just disappeared and I just kept peddling faster and faster. I want this record to stand you see, because I'm not keen on coming out of retirement for another shot at beating some other young punk again!"
If the feat wasn't already incredible, the distance of 52.193km was good enough to place at No. 10 in the All-Time list, with every other rider ahead of the 41-year-old having posted their record at the VA Cycling Arena in Vancouver.
Sommers is certainly no spring chicken anymore, but man is he one hell of a gladiator.
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Comments
Well Nick sure did do something... *mutters darkly*
Yes - to retire the poor bastard! although I wonder if Nick will decide to change things if Defleys still racing at 100! - actually on second thoughts keep racing him ;D.
He's practically useless now, mate! Though don't tell him I said that. You sure you want him? :D
Congrats :) - how much for Defley?
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