The Doc dissects the latest Hour record and the fine line of optimum aerodynamics

Clearly the team did the maths and concluded that the 200 metres that she might lose from a wavy line would be more than outweighed by the aero saving of riding in a position as close to a bullet as she could manage.

- Dr Hutch

I enjoyed Ellen van Dijk's successful Hour record ride last week. Other than the excellent result, there were a number of things I found especially pleasing. I liked her bike being blue on one side and white on the other, for example, not least because I've made a note of it so that in a few years' time I won't spend a fruitless afternoon trying to work out why I can find pictures of two van Dijk Hour rides, but only one actual result. Hopefully my colleagues have not had this level of foresight.

Funny I mention foresight. Perhaps most interesting of all was her line on the track, which was easily the most erratic I've ever seen from a pro. The aim is to stick to the black line at the bottom of the track, simply because it's the shortest route. As you tire, you might once or twice drift up towards the red "sprinters" line. I reckon van Dijk was the only Hour record holder who ever saw the blue "stayers" line too.

I was still very impressed, though. Because at no point in the ride did she actually look where she was going. Not once. For 60 full minutes she stared at the crooks of her own elbows. Viewed from ahead there was nothing to see except the top of her aero helmet. If I tried that it would not be many laps before the helmet and I exited the track through the fence at the top, with a splintering of pine and a Dr Hutch shaped exit wound.

Clearly the team did the maths and concluded that the 200 metres that she might lose from a wavy line would be more than outweighed by the aero saving of riding in a position as close to a bullet as she could manage.