American Evelyn Stevens to attempt UCI Hour Record on February 27

Evelyn Stevens (Boels-Dolmans) will attempt to beat Bridie O'Donnell's UCI Hour Record mark of 46.882km on February 27 in Colorado Springs, USA Cycling announced on Monday.

Stevens, a two-time national time trial champion, as well as a silver and bronze medalist in the individual time trial at the World Championships, will be the fourth woman to attempt the record after the UCI relaxed its rules in 2014.

“While attempting to break the UCI Hour Record is exciting for me and my career, I’m also proud to help shine a light on women’s cycling,” Stevens said. “This will be a special day, and it’s an honor to make my record attempt under the new dome at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center Velodrome.”

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Australian Bridie O'Donnell set a new UCI Hour Record of 46.882km on January 22 2016, but Stevens also aims to break Jeannie Longo's UCI best human effort record of 48.159km, set in October 1996 using the now-banned Superman position.

"The current Women’s UCI Hour Record will be only five weeks old when Evelyn Stevens tries to establish a new mark," said UCI president Brian Cookson.

"Bridie O’Donnell set a tough mark last month and I am looking forward tremendously to following this next challenge. It is clear that the excitement surrounding the iconic UCI Hour Record will be just as high in 2016 as it was last year when we saw six attempts on the men’s record and two on the women’s record.”

Stevens will attempt the feat at the Colorado Springs Olympic Training Center Velodrome, the official training venue for U.S. Olympic and Paralympic track cycling, which sits 6,000 feet above sea level, calling to mind Eddy Merckx's 1972 hour record ride 7,500 feet above sea level in Mexico City.