New world records were the icing on the cake of a successful Olympic games in London 2012.

To break a world record requires supreme physical effort from the athletes but in cycling this can be also be influenced by technology and engineering. The bicycles, the track and the environment will all contribute to being “the fastest ever”.

This packed event featured Graeme Obree 'The Flying Scotsman', bicycle innovator and twice holder of the 1 hour world record explaining what it takes for both bodies and bikes. Mike Taylor of Hopkins Architects, designers of the London 2012 Velodrome, looked at the history of cycling tracks and how they have influenced world records. Klaus Bode of BDSP, also part of the Velodrome design team explained how they created the optimum track environment for record-breaking.