The highly credentialled cyclist and triathlete bested Hannah Rhodes-Patterson's world record on the slopes of the Haggenegg in Switzerland, summiting the 13 per cent average gradient climb ten times in her effort.
Pooley was last sighted in competitive road cycling in Australia, riding an aggressive race for fifth overall at the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race as a guest rider for the Holden Womens Racing squad.
Pooley left very little out on the road, writing on Strava that she felt like throwing up during her final three ascents but maintained her high tempo to secure the new record.
"I did that ride I said I would never do ... never ever again' said former world champion said on social media. "But if I were to do another one... I’d do it a bit differently."
Pooley went on to list the shortcomings of her attempt, without which she may have set an even faster time.
"Some of my not-genius planning included: 13.5% average with insufficient gearing; Totally exposed climb on a hot sunny day; Twisty technical descent with blind corners, gravel, and grass cuttings; Picking the day when every farmer on Haggenegg chose to mow their meadows and collect the hay: 6 tractors & hay carts were also doing reps of the climb all day; Running out of food and water on every climb from 5 onwards (I just didn’t plan for enough); Being a magnet for horseflies ... I don’t know what this says about how badly I stink!
"But it was a happy day despite a few discomforts. I wanted a challenge, and to find my limits ... and I did. Or maybe my limits found me."
The 37-year-old thanked Rhodes-Patterson for setting the previous bar so high, along with her support crew Liz Romanov and coach Tim Pigott.
