17-year-old national cycling champion Aston Freeth makes world history in the Hour challenge

A South Australian teen has become the youngest in world cycling history to attempt the gruelling Hour record challenge, just falling short of the national record.

National champion cyclist Aston Freeth became the youngest rider to attempt and complete the Hour challenge on Thursday night at the Adelaide Super-Drome, falling short of the Australian record by only four kilometres.

The challenge, one of the most gruelling in world cycling, sees athletes attempt to ride as many kilometres as possible around the velodrome within an hour.

At 17 years old, Freeth, who trains at the AIS, SASI and Port Adelaide Cycling Club, rode an impressive 48.48km, just short of world famous cyclist Eddie Merckx’s distance of 49.3km and the Australian record of 52.5km, held by Rohan Dennis.

Picture by James Raison

“I’m incredibly proud of what I’ve achieved,” Freeth said.

“I would have liked to beat Merckx’s distance or break the Australian record but at the end of the day I’m incredibly happy with my effort.”

Freeth, who has cemented himself as one of SA’s best young cyclists this year with strong road performances and a team pursuit gold medal in the March national championships, flew out of the gate on Thursday night.

He pushed hard for the full hour and while he started to fatigue late, he still managed to put his head down and complete an impressive distance.

Aston Freeth (middle, right) with his gold medal team pursuit team. Picture: Supplied

“During the challenge I was mainly just focusing on holding to the black line, which is the fastest way around the track,” Freeth said.

“When I got about halfway through I started to get a bit uncomfortable. It’s a mental game though and I just kept pushing my way through.

“I was very, very sore but I just kept willing myself on as the clock wound down.

“When I saw I had 20, 15, 10 and then five minutes left it motivated me and I just smashed it out.”

While Freeth’s attempt at his age has made history, he hasn’t ruled out going for another hour around the Super-Drome in the future.

Aston Freeth pushes through the pain during his attempt. Picture: James Raison

He said he still has the goal of breaking the national record.

“It hasn’t quite dawned on me yet what I was able to do on Thursday night, but I know that I’d love to go again at some point,” Freeth said.

“I really want to beat the Australian record. When that happens or when I attempt it again is another story altogether.”

Freeth will now begin preparation for next year’s road and track national championships.