UKC

So how do we think it'll go for the big fella?

Just scrape over the line or a more comfortable beating with a 56 something?

Perhaps a silly big distance?

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/filippo-ganna-to-attack-uci-hour-record-on...

His form this year doesn't seem to have been on the same stellar level as previous seasons, hence the earlier cancellation.  I do hope he's back to his best and can pull out a big number.

I'd like to see him nail it but as you say I don't think it's a given.

Edit: Jesus, look at his legs in that photo on your link. Beast.

59km is my prediction.

He’s another level.

I guess the worlds TT this weekend will give a good indication as to whether he's back to that sort of form...

I’m not so sure.

I don’t think Ganna has been too off peak form this year, more that key results haven’t gone his way.

He’s been beaten because of the wind, wet or hills.

On a flat course he’s still as close to unbeatable as you can be.

He'll smash it. Dan Bigham (current holder) isn't exactly a slouch, but doesn't have the legs of Ganna. All the aero work Bigham has put into optimising his hour attempt will be shared with Ganna - they both work for Ineos ultimately.

Care to define “smash it” with a number?

I”ll go with 56.750km.

What’s your best guess for the sweepstake?

I’ll have to watch it, I watched Dowsett’s last attempt and had total respect for his effort as he kept the effort up as he gradually fell to bits. 

I've not been following things that closely but you'd think he'd add a kilometre at least.

I think Dan Bigham jumped on while he had a chance.  Give Ganna all the Bigham/Ineos developments and, assuming he's feeling good, he should add a kilometer....

Interesting that Ganna was way off the pace at the world TT, though.

Yeah, I thought he’d be closer. Even my 56.750km prediction is looking optimistic now.

Tempted to redefine after his performance in the worlds… although guess he’s in the middle of a big training block for the hour. Or at least hope.

I’ll go 56.1

I wonder what Ethan Haytor is doing on the 8th…?  

Fixing his bike ?

Indeed.  Not sure what to make of that.   One would assume that he was keen to do well and that the hour is too far distant to be relevant.  Hills.  Just not feeling it?  Others just stronger?  No idea....

The big day approaches. Live Saturday 18:45.

youtube.com/watch?v=q45Y9bsP1_w&

I'm not sure, he's been off his pace this year.

Despite all the comments (across the interwebs) going if Bigham did it with Ineos then Ganna with the same setup (and team backing) will crush it, I'm not sure.

Bigham is really really *insert superlative here* slippery, Ganna is a big boy and isn't getting close to Bigham here so he will have to be putting out a lot of power.

I can see him doing it, but equally, if he doesn't I wouldn't be shocked. 

Anyone going to watch? It's on GCN and Eurosport.

I am - standing by my original estimate on distance too.

Live now on Ineos YouTube channel

Picking it up now...

That's him up on Boardman now.

Is that him a minute up on schedule!?

Good shout!

Ireland's finest, Philip O'Ganna.  The boy done good there.

Yeah, I feel I nailed that guess.

Sounds like he was hoping for 57km. I think he knew he wasn’t at his very best and we will see another attempt. It would be great to see him firing on all cylinders…