Chris Ernst smashes Canadian hour record

Kitchener, Ont.’s Chris Ernst broke the Canadian hour record in Milton on Saturday, riding at the Mattamy Cycling Centre. The Pan Am champion announced in August 2024 that he would be attempting the record in 2025. The hour record measures the farthest distance cycled in one hour from a stationary start, usually set solo on a track. It is regarded as one of the top achievements in cycling.

Many top pros have attempted it over the years, as it is an extraordinarily difficult feat—not just for the constant effort required, but because riders need to stay on their bars the entire time. Unlike a time trial, where you can stand up around corners or hills, riders must remain in their aero position for the full hour, creating massive pain throughout their body.

The ultimate sufferfest

Top riders like Eddy Merckx, Francesco Moser, Miguel Indurain, Tony Rominger, Chris Boardman, and more recently, Filippo Ganna have all held the record. The Italian currently holds the world record at 56.792 km, which he set in October 2022.

#NewProfilePic In honour of the legend and all round good egg @Chris_Boardman and the 25th anniversary of the hour record. pic.twitter.com/gllIqHvDT8

— CiclismoBadges (@BadgesCiclismo) June 2, 2021

Ernst, who has moved on from Hustle Pro Cycling to a new team, Expeditors Elite Cycling, clocked in at 52.3 km. The record was previously held by triathlete Lionel Sanders, who set it at 51.304 km. Sanders broke Ed Veal’s previous record of 48.587 km in October 2020.

The 25-year-old national team rider said he was thrilled with the result but noted that he plans to try again.

In terms of the toll it took on his body, he says it was unlike anything else.

“In terms of pain, it was probably an 11/10, especially afterward. I’d say it started biting with 70 to go,” he said. “It was just waves of pain. But you just had to manage to get through.”

He took to Instagram after the effort to say that, even a day later, he was still in pain. “36 hours on from the record, and shit still hurts. But that hasn’t stopped me from already planning out what I’m going to do differently for the next attempt. Anyways, time to rest and relax before the chaos of the next few months,” he posted.