Australia's Dennis will attempt hour record

PARIS (AP) Australian rider Rohan Dennis says he will try to break cycling's hour record in February.

The current mark of 51.85 kilometers was set by Austria's Matthias Braendle in October.

Dennis, who won silver in the team pursuit at the 2012 Olympics, will be the third challenger in recent months after Jens Voigt and then Brandle improved the 2005 mark of 49.7 kilometers set by Czech cyclist Ondrej Sosenka.

Dennis said his track experience means the record ''is within reach.''

The record was previously held by cycling greats Fausto Coppi, Jacques Anquetil and Eddy Merckx. The UCI changed the rules earlier this year, authorizing competitors to ride bikes that can be used for endurance track events.

Dennis will attempt the record on Feb. 8 at the Velodrome Suisse in Grenchen, Switzerland.