Bobridge's narrow miss was the third attempt since the International Cycling Union (UCI) ruled that aerodynamic bikes were allowed to be used in an hour record bid, with Germany's Jens Voigt reigniting the historic event in the final race of his career last year before Brändle set his even better mark.

This time, the 4km individual pursuit world record holder was clearly in excellent condition prior to the event having claimed victory in the first week of the Tour Down Under on January 20.

The 25-year-old Australian duly began his attempt impressively - and on schedule to beat Brändle's distance.

However, his early efforts appeared to take its toll as the hour progressed Bobridge began to dip below schedule and despite a monumental effort he came up just short, finishing with a distance of 51.30km.

Matthias Brandle's hour record is set to come under further threat throughout 2015 with several attempts planned ©AFP/Getty Images



Brändle's hour record will continue to be subject to threat throughout the year as another Australian Rohan Dennis will stage his attempt on February 8, while Commonwealth Games time trial gold medallist Alex Dowsett is likely to announce a rearranged date for his attempt, as he was forced to postpone the original date, following surgery on a broken collarbone.

Interest in the hour record will continue with world time trial champion and 2012 Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins and Germany's Tony Martin having announced their intentions to stage an attempt.

Switzerland's Fabian Cancellara is also rumoured to be considering tackling the challenge.

In February, British Paralympic legend Dame Sarah Storey will attempt to break the women's hour record, set by Dutch rider Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel in 2003, with the hope that her challenge will spark a similar renaissance to what is happening in the male ranks.

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