Individual Pursuit world record holder Filippo Ganna has once again hinted that he is not only aiming to break the 4-minute mark in the Individual Pursuit, but also to challenge the World Hour Record.

In an interview with Tuttobiciweb, the Team Ineos rider said he would love to challenge the hour record and pointed to the resources of his trade team and national team as a strong support group behind any future endeavor.

The Italian said it would be difficult to beat the 55.089 km record set by Victor Campenaerts last year in Mexico.

"People often ask me about the hour record, but I thought about it during the many hours I spent at home in March," he told Tuttobiciweb (open in new tab). Even if it's far from guaranteed, I'm up for the challenge."

"Victor Kampenaerts has raised the bar to an absurd level, but challenges must be accepted and records are there to be broken. Even my world record in individual pursuit will be broken sooner or later.

Ganna, like many other professional cyclists, has been confined to his home for the past few weeks due to the blockade of many European countries due to COVID-19 measures.

The 23-year-old, who earlier this season won the individual Pursuit rainbow jersey for the third year in a row, frequently uses Zwift and participated in the Digital Switzerland 5 race last week.

He said he is interested in trying for the Hour Record once his future is clear and racing is back on the menu.

"Once the near future of the race is set and we have a clear idea of what to do with the team, I would suggest it. If you have the time, why not give it a try?

"I've never tried it. I don't know what kind of effort it is. I remember when Bradley Wiggins did it, he said it was the toughest test of his life.

"By the end of the year, I wanted to organize an event with the team to break the four-minute barrier in Pursuit, looking for ideal conditions. By the end of the season we were ready for that."

In Berlin in February, Ganna set a new Pursuit world record of 4:01.934, surpassing the 4:02.647 she set at the Minsk World Cup in November.

In September 2019, the record stood at 4:05.423, set by American Ashton Lambie, which shows how fast progress has been made, having shaved 3.5 seconds off in six months; prior to 2018, the record was 4:10.534, which would not have put her on the podium in Berlin It would have been.

"In the two challenges I envision, both require finding a fast velodrome. Just two years ago I thought it was impossible to break 4:10, but I know that one day I will be able to break 4 minutes."

"I will rely not only on the staff of Team Ineos, but also on the Italian National Team. Being at home without a clear race program is driving me crazy and creating unhealthy thoughts."