Skip to main content

Long cycle ride

A 100 year old Frenchman recently set a new world cycling record, pedalling his bicycle 100km in four hours, 17 minutes and achieving an average speed of 23.3km/h at Lyon velodrome. Competing in his first cycle race 86 years ago when he had to lie about his age to enter, he only retired when he reached the age of 89 and worked at an array of jobs including sports instructor and fire fighter, while he also boxed and weighlifted competitively in the past. A keen cyclist, he commented that after he reached the
December 13, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
A 100 year old Frenchman recently set a new world cycling record, pedalling his bicycle 100km in four hours, 17 minutes and achieving an average speed of 23.3km/h at Lyon velodrome. Competing in his first cycle race 86 years ago when he had to lie about his age to enter, he only retired when he reached the age of 89 and worked at an array of jobs including sports instructor and fire fighter, while he also boxed and weighlifted competitively in the past. A keen cyclist, he commented that after he reached the age of 95, he limited his cycle rides to distances of just 100km. The man has faced a barrage of medical tests as doctors try to find out the key to his longevity and is said to have the physique of a healthy 50 year old. He has attributed his health and fitness to moderation in all things, including wine, women and song; however it is not clear whether these will be made available to all for free on the French national health system.

Related Content

  • Colombia’s ANI agency is driving forward the 4G PPP programme
    April 4, 2016
    Andrade Moreno is a man on a mission. The head of Colombia's infrastructure agency ANI explains how the organisation is giving foreign companies increasing confidence to invest time and money in the country. David Arminas reports Change, especially when it touches the highest levels of South American business and politics, can bring with it personal danger. Luis Fernando Andrade Moreno, president of Colombia's National Infrastructure Agency - ANI - was aware of this when he took on the role in 2011. B
  • Driving slowly
    September 29, 2014
    A multi-millionaire now has video evidence of his driving deficiencies following his performance during a race at the famous Monza track. The man struggled to control the high performance Ferrari, as he slid off the circuit and into the gravel traps placed on the curves for safety.
  • Driving Deficiencies
    November 20, 2014
    A multi-millionaire now has video evidence of his driving deficiencies following his performance during a race at the famous Monza track. The man struggled to control the high performance Ferrari, as he slid off the circuit and into the gravel traps placed on the curves for safety.
  • Key projects free up Auckland's congested motorway network
    June 14, 2012
    A number of key projects in Auckland, New Zealand will free-up the city’s congested motorway network - Mary Searle reports.Auckland is a sprawling city, home to 1.4 million people, one third of New Zealand’s total population. Until recently, greater Auckland comprised Auckland city, North Shore city over the harbour bridge to the north, Waitakere city to the west and Manukau city to the south. An amalgamation of these various cities’ councils, plus the regional council and three district councils into one,