Alex Dowsett’s coach, Mark Walker, has told Road Cycling UK that the Hour Record is the perfect test for the Brit riding for the Movistar team.

“Alex has got a very good attitude and it’s a cliché but he has the passion for it. He’s a time triallist through and through. It’s the perfect test for him.”

26-year-old Dowsett can break Matthias Brandle’s record, but he is likely to be facing a new record, as Australians Jack Bobridge and Rohan Dennis take on the Record before Dowsett, in late January and early February respectively, with Dowsett’s attempt coming at the end of February.

“In terms of the work with Alex, he got the ten-mile record earlier in the year and did a huge effort for that so in terms of the work for the time trials and the hour record it is similar,” Walker said.

“Obviously there is a bit more involved than that – equipment sponsors ensuring the bike and kit is the best there can be and on top of that the rush on the hour record at the moment."

“Riders have seen the opportunity – Jens Voigt did a brilliant performance but he is not regarded as one of the specialists. You have to keep your eye on the fact the record could tumble.”

Dowsett has the previous however, as he beat Dennis to take July’s Commonwealth Games Time Trial in Glasgow, despite being behind for most of the race. Walker is confident that if everything goes to plan in terms of preparation, Dowsett will break the record, becoming the first Brit since Chris Boardman in 2000 to do so.

“On the day, all things being well and having got him there in shape and with his attitude, he will have a very good chance of setting a very good record.”