Colin Lynch will attempt the hour record tomorrow ©UCI

Ireland’s Colin Lynch is to become the first to make an attempt for the International Cycling Union (UCI) hour record after regulations were extended to include Para-cycling.

The 45-year-old previously made an attempt at the hour record on October 10 last year, but was forced to stop after 42 minutes as a result of a puncture.

At the time, UCI regulations did not include Para-cycling, but the governing body have now extended their rules which means attempts by Para-cyclists can be ratified.

Attempts made before 2016 are to be considered as World Best Performances, the UCI has said.

Lynch will look to set a strong mark in the C2 category tomorrow, with the record for the classification the 41.31 kilometres achieved by France’s Laurent Thirionet in 1999.

The Irish cyclist will make his attempt at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester.

Sarah Storey attempted the able-bodied hour record ©Getty Images
Sarah Storey attempted the able-bodied hour record ©Getty Images

"Since I began in Para-cycling in 2008, the UCI Hour Record is something that I’ve had my eye on," said Lynch.

"And after the disappointment of crashing out last year whilst making an attempt, it has been on the forefront of my mind to come back and try again.

"Coming off a successful Paralympic Games, winning silver in the time trial, getting this record would finish off a great year for me - and it is my hope that this attempt will spur on other Para-cyclists to make similar attempts."

As well as his Paralympic silver medal from Rio 2016, Lynch is a five-time medallist at UCI Para-Cycling World Championships.

He claimed gold in the road time trial in Roskildein in 2011, before winning the 3,000m individual pursuit in Los Angeles in 2012.

Lynch turned professional at the age of 40, having made his international Para-cycling debut in 2010.

The Irishman turned to cycling, having had his left leg amputated below his knee, following complications in treatment after breaking his leg playing rugby at the age of 16.

His attempt will be broadcast live on YouTube, with UCI President Brian Cookson offering his support to the attempt.

"I wish the best of luck to Colin for his attempt," Cookson said.

"The extension of our regulations to include Para-cycling means we can now ratify attempts in this discipline.

"A new page is being written in the history of our legendary sport.

"I invite all fans to watch this historic attempt on Saturday and I hope that Colin’s performance will inspire other athletes, both men and women."

Dame Sarah Storey was another Para-cyclist to make an hour record attempt in 2015, riding to break the able bodied (AB) mark.

She failed to beat the record at the time of 46.065km, set by The Netherlands' Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel, with American Evelyn Stevens since recording 47.980km.

The Briton, who has nine Paralympic gold medals in cycling, tweeted yesterday that she had "no choice but to attempt the AB one, UCI discriminated against Para-cyclists and didn’t change the rules in time".

Cookson responded: "No discrimination Sarah. 

"Just took time to establish the rules. 

"We listened and acted."

Storey then claimed the rules should have "auto-applied" to Para-cyclists and didn’t because the "UCI forgot to include us in initial discussion".