CHRIS BOARDMAN has challenged Lance Armstrong to use his proposed attempt on the Briton’s world hour record to prove beyond doubt his ethical and athletic credibility. Boardman, the former Olympic pursuit champion and world time-trial champion, is privately lobbying the British Cycling Federation and International Cycling Union to urge Armstrong, winner of the Tour de France for the past six years, to adhere to strict parameters in his bid.

“This record should be a rock of credibility in what is a very turbulent time for our sport,” Boardman, who rode beyond Eddy Merckx’s mark, set in 1972 at altitude in Mexico City, to establish the Athlete’s Hour Record in 2000, said.

The hour record, achieved on a velodrome track by riding as far as possible in 60 minutes, takes its toll on those who attempt it. Boardman, at the time suffering from osteoporosis, considered his ride in Manchester to be the most painful achievement in his career, while Merckx vowed never to attempt the record again. “It cost me blood, sweat and tears,” Merckx said after his record ride.

Boardman’s record of 49.441km, set at sea level in Manchester, spurned high-tech aerodynamics and, like Merckx 28 years earlier, was achieved using simple equipment and a standard road bike. He is also the holder of the Best Hour Performance record, of 56.375km, achieved using high-tech aerodynamic equipment, in Bordeaux velodrome in 1996.

Both Boardman’s hour records were achieved at sea level, rather than in the reduced air resistance of high altitude. “Taking it on at altitude is missing the point,” Boardman said. “I am delighted that riders of Armstrong’s stature deem this record to be significant, but I would be deeply upset if he chose to attempt to break it at altitude.”

However, Armstrong’s high-profile attempt now seems likely to take place at altitude, in either Colorado or Utah in the United States. “We can do it in Manchester where it’s been done several times,” Armstrong said. “Ideally, we would look for a high-altitude location.” With expense seemingly not an issue for the Texan, Boardman is insistent that Armstrong should remain true to the parameters of his own record.

“The whole philosophy behind my attempt on the record was to create something that the public could believe in at face value,” Boardman said. “They should have assurances in place that let them believe that what they are seeing is the truth. There should be doping control of both blood and urine immediately before, and after, the event and this should be stored to allow for future retests. In Armstrong’ s case, putting in place such procedures would be a magnificent opportunity for him to dispel all the rumours.”

In the wake of the publication in France last year of the book, LA Confidential, a preliminary investigation has been opened in Annecy into allegations made against Armstrong by Emma O’Reilly, his former personal assistant and masseur. Armstrong has always denied the use of performance-enhancing drugs.

The Tour de France champion has been conducting wind tunnel tests in San Diego, California, and testing bikes and equipment, including new clothing fabric technologies, that would be beneficial for both record attempts.

Boardman’s record ride in Manchester in 2000 was the valedictory achievement of his career. “I was one of the athletes who explored technological advancements to the edge of what the rules allowed but it seemed a poetic way to finish my career by setting a mark that was purely and simply about the athlete, and that would be comparable with performances in the future,” he said.

SEA-LEVEL RECORDS

Athlete’s Hour Record: Chris Boardman, 49.44km (2000)

Best hour performance: Boardman, 56.375km (1996)

CYCLING 60 MINUTES OF PUNISHMENT

BOARDMAN’S PARAMETERS FOR THE “ATHLETE’S HOUR”

DOPING CONTROL: testing of both blood and urine before and after the event, to be stored for up to 20 years for retesting.