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Frenchman, 90, sets new age group Hour record

René Gaillard rode 29.278 kilometres at France's national velodrome earlier this month ...

A French cyclist has set a new age group Hour record – at the age of 90.

René Gaillard rode 29.278 kilometres – just over 117 laps – on the track at France’s national velodrome in St Quentin en Yvelines near Paris on Sunday 8 October.

“I’ve achieved my dream,” he said, quoted on the French cycling federation’s website.

“I’m happy I didn’t disappoint my supporters,” added Gaillard, a member of the Cyclosport Club de Vesoul in the Haut Saône department.

Racing as an independent rider in the 1950s, Gaillard won a number of races.

Representing the regional Franche Comté team also gave him the chance to race against some of the biggest names in cycling including Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet.

In the coming years, Gaillard could start eyeing the records held by his 105-year-old compatriot, Robert Marchand, for whom the UCI created several new age categories.

Most recently, in January this year, Marchand set an Hour record in the 105 years and above category, riding 22.547 kilometres at the same track where Gaillard set his record.

> French cyclist Robert Marchand sets new Hour Record - at age of 105

Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.

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Leviathan | 6 years ago
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Well done René. But don't expect to keep the record for long. Everyone is invited to come and see me smash this record in 2067.

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