Alex Dowsett added nearly 500 metres to the UCI Hour Record to write his name into the history books in Manchester.

Dowsett paced himself perfectly to overhaul Rohan Dennis’ previous mark of 52.491km, setting a new record distance of 52.937km.

The Commonwealth Games time trial champion’s achievement makes him the first Brit to break the record since Chris Boardman’s effort at the same venue in 2000.

And the Movistar man earned it in style – dipping under Rohan Dennis’ mark inside the final ten minutes of his effort, and holding his pace where the Australian had been unable to do so in February.

Having billed the effort the #PerfectHour in the build-up, a perfect hour was what Dowsett delivered to become the fourth man to break the record since the UCI changed the rules late last year.

And the Movistar man even found the strength to lift his bike in the air in celebration to acknowledge the huge support he received in Manchester.

“The first 30 minutes were easier than I expected,” he reflected after breaking the record, adding, “the last ten minutes were a bit grippy.”

The next Brit to take on the mark will be Sir Bradley Wiggins, whose effort is scheduled for Sunday June 7 at the Lee Valley VeloPark, London.