Centenarian breaks his own cycling hour record – in pictures
With hour record cycling enjoying a newfound status not seen since its mid-90s heyday, due to interest from Fabian Cancellara and a possible relaxation of the rules of the event, the 102 year-old Robert Marchand took to the boards to break his own hour record
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The 102 year-old receives a push for the start. Despite a promising early start in the sport, Marchand never turned professional
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
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Robert Marchand was born in 1911 in Amiens, during the first world war, close to the front line
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
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Here, he pedals slowly but steadily along the côte d'azur (the blue line that runs along the inside of the velodrome). The UCI made the category of a centenarian's hour record specially for him, two years ago, where he set his record of 24.1km
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
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Marchand returned to cycling at the age of 67 in 1978, and has completed numerous sportives, including Paris-Roubaix, the Marmotte, and the Ardechoise
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
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Marchand's new record, set at the age of 102, stands at 26.925km
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
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His record was set at the new national velodrome at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, which the Federation France Cyclisme (FFC), hopes will be the base of a national professional team, in the mould of Team Sky
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
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Marchand celebrates with onlookers as the new record is set
Photograph: Ian Langsdon/EPA
