Bridie O’Donnell pumped as she prepares for attempt on women’s world hour record

BRIDIE O’Donnell has simulated race-day conditions ahead of her attempt to break the women’s world hour record at the Adelaide SuperDrome on Friday night.

Bridie O'Donnell begins preparations for her attempt at breaking women's world hour record at the Adelaide velodrome. picture: Bianca De Marchi

BRIDIE O’Donnell has simulated race-day conditions ahead of her attempt to break the women’s world hour record at the Adelaide SuperDrome on Friday night.

The 41-year-old physician rode the track on Wednesday night to put the finishing touches to her preparation.

O’Donnell will Friday night attempt to break the record currently held by American Molly Shaffer Van Houwelling, who rode 46.273km on a high-altitude track in Aguascalientes, Mexico, in September last year.

“It was good to get on the track on Wednesday night and do a session at race time,” she said.

“The track isn’t really warm but is a bit muggy, it wasn’t running that fast but it felt okay.

“I think it will be similar on Friday night and there’s nothing I can do about that so I’m just trying to put the conditions out of my mind.

The night’s racing will also feature some of Australia’s top sprinters, including Anna Meares and Matthew Glaetzer, who are preparing for the national track championships next month.

“I’m just maintaining the same plan that we’ve had all along in terms of my schedule,” O’Donnell said.

“We’ll see how that unfolds but we know what power and pace I can sustain and that’s what we’ll be going for.

“I’m really hoping for a good crowd and it’s really cool that Anna (Meares) and the other sprinters are going to be there for such an awesome spectacle for people to watch them race.”

O’Donnell’s ride is scheduled to start at 8pm and tickets to the event are available at the door.

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Originally published as Bridie O’Donnell pumped as she prepares for attempt on women’s world hour record