105-year-old Frenchman sets cycling record: "I'm now waiting for a rival"

[Garrison Hilliard]

105-year-old Frenchman sets new hour record - Gallery

At 22.547km, Robert Marchand is still the fastest centenarian in the world






French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group



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French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group (Getty Images Sport)


French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group
Robert Marchand before his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

A medical check for Marchand after his hour record attempt.

Fans cheer Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand in action during his attempt to set a one-hour track cycling World record in the over-105 age group

Robert Marchand starts to ride in his attempt to set a one-hour track cycling World record in the over-105 age group

Robert Marchand rides in his attempt to set a one-hour track cycling World record in the over-105 age group

French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group

Media gather around Robert Marchand after his record ride.

French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group

Fans surround Robert Marchand after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group

French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group

French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand before his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Fans cheer Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

Robert Marchand during his attempt to break the 105+ world cycling hour record.

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A nice custom touch for Robert Marchand's hour record bike.

A nice custome touch for Robert Marchand's hour record bike.

Robert Marchand's hour record bike.

Marchand's bike ready at the velodrome.

Officials check Marchand's bike before his attempt.

French centenarian cyclist Robert Marchand reacts after setting a one-hour track cycling World record at 22.547km in the over-105 age group








Professional riders in recent years have been stretching their careers into their 40s. Jens Voigt, who recently rode 27 hours for charity, retired before his 43rd birthday. Chris Horner was still racing last year at 44, Davide Rebellin is still racing at 45 and British rider Malcom Elliott raced through age 50. But none of those pros has anything on Robert Marchand when it comes to longevity.


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On Wednesday, the 105-year-old Frenchman set a world record in the 105+ age category - created especially for him - by riding 22.547km during his latest attempt. Marchand thrilled a crowd at the velodrome in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines with his new record, but it's not Marchand's first; he also set the record for the 100+ age category when he covered 26.927km three years ago.

The former firefighter, who subsists on his pension in a small flat outside of of Paris, said he could have gone further than the 92 laps, but he missed a crucial timing board.

"I did not see the sign warning me I had 10 minutes left," Marchand told the Associated Press after his effort. "Otherwise I would have gone faster, I would have posted a better time. I'm now waiting for a rival."


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