The 43-year-old completed more than 200 laps in the velodrome in Grenchen, Switzerland covering 51.115 kilometres.

That beat the previous benchmark set in 2005 by Czech Andrej Sosenka of 49.700km.

In May, the International Cycling Union (UCI) ruled that the record could be broken on an aerodynamic bike - like those used in endurance track cycling events around the world.

Fourteen years ago, the UCI ruled any record attempt had to be done using a traditional bike.

"I went off a little too fast at the start and I had a bad spell after the halfway mark, but the support of the crowd and knowing that this was my last race meant that I could finish strongly," said Voigt, who will now retire from cycling.

"I am extremely proud to be joining all the iconic riders that have beaten this record before me."

Jens Voigt's distanced covered eclipses the previous record by 1.415km ©AFP/Getty Images



The record has previously been held by the likes of Frenchman Jacques Anquetil, Eddy Merckx of Belgium, Italian Francesco Moser and Chris Boardman of Great Britain.

UCI President Brian Cookson said: "I'm confident that his achievement will have a domino effect: other great riders will resolve to attack one of the greatest challenges in our sport."

"This is good news for cycling and is exactly what the UCI hoped would happen when we simplified and modernised the rules for the hour record earlier this year."

Briton Sir Bradley Wiggins, a multiple Olympic gold medallist who won the 2012 Tour de France, has indicated his interest in going for the record next year, as has Swiss time trial champion Fabian Cancellara.