Vittorio Brumotti goes for new world record in Dubai today (+ videos)

Italian trials ace Vittorio Brumotti will today attempt to set a new world record for the most steps climbed on a road bike, at one of the world’s most iconic hotels – the Burj Al Arab in Dubai.

The former UCI trials world champion, who has forged a close relationship with the Tinkoff-Saxo team in the past year, has already set one world record in the Gulf state.

That came in 2012, when he rode a mountain bike up the 4,000 steps of the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

The 35-year-old, who in his day job teaches computer science, will have to tackle 1,200 steps, the challenge coinciding with the United Arab Emirates National Sports Day.

He told Gulfnews.com: “The UAE is one of my favourite places in the world. I got one of my records here three years back and now I want to do this record of going up the seven-starred Burj Al Arab to give something back to the country I love and appreciate so much.

“I want to do this for the UAE,” he added, “I am all set for this special occasion.”

Brumotti has been sharing videos to his Facebook page of his riding in Dubai ahead of the record attempt.

Last week, he also posted one of him training on a staircase in Liguria plus vertigo-inducing footage showing him tackling a railing high above the Ligurian Sea near Finale Ligure.