Norman Alvis has been the king of the US Hour Record for nearly two decades, but the mark he set in 1997 in the twilight of his own professional career is facing a serious challenge this week as Rally Cycling's Tom Zirbel will attempt the feat Friday in Aguascalientes, Mexico.
Although Alvis has had plenty of time to grow accustomed to his spot on the US Hour throne, he told Cyclingnews he'd be more than happy to give it up if Zirbel succeeds in going past his mark of 51.505 km.
“I think it's great. I'm glad that someone's doing it,” he said from his office in Colorado Springs, where the now-53-year-old father of six lives and works as a portfolio manager for US Bank. “It's not something that gets a lot of airtime. It's a hard thing to do; it's a hard thing to organize.
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“I don't know Tom personally, but I know from the results and the things that I read on Cyclingnews that he's a fabulous time trial rider,” Alvis said. “When I see pictures of him I see a fairly aero rider, so I'd give him a huge chance of success. And frankly, I hope he breaks it. That's what records are for. It's not something so personal that I want to keep it forever. That's a ridiculous notion. I think he will break it, and I'm excited for him to do that.”
Zirbel, the 2013 US time trial champion, is retiring after this season, and the US Hour Record attempt will be his final outing as a pro. The 6-foot-4-inch rider will have all the latest technology at his disposal and has proven throughout this year that he has the form to put in top rides. Zirbel has a good chance of toppling the record that Alvis admitted he never really thought would last this long.
“No. Not at all,” Alvis said when asked if he foresaw his record's longevity.
Just killing time between races
Changing rules and changing clothes
Another attempt this winter
You can read more at Cyclingnews.com
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