Dutch speed skater Jan Bos is set to launch an attempt on the world recumbent bike speed title, together with students from Delft and Amsterdam’s VU University.

In 2013, the team set a new world record of 133.78 kph with cyclist Sebastian Bowier during the Human Powered Speed Challenge in the Nevada desert in the US. That record was beaten last year by a Canadian project and now Bos hopes to win it back for the Netherlands.

The record attempt will take place in September. Bos won a slew of medals during his speed skating career.

Team manager Hugo Lambriex told broadcaster RTL that on a normal bike, one pedal round allows a wheel to spin four times. But on the Velox 6, the wheel will need to go round 12 times to reach speeds of over 120 kph.

‘It would be irresponsible to cycle so fast in the Netherlands, as long as there are no bike motorways,’ he said. ‘So this technology is primarily for competitions.’