Ultra-cyclist Michael Broadwith broke the Edinburgh-London cycling record, but his support team were unsure if he had done enough to claim it long after his race was over late last night.

Subject to ratification by the Road Records Association (RRA), the math professor from Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire broke the previous record, held since 1989 by Pete Wells, of just 5 minutes 17 seconds, according to a Facebook post from his Arctic- Aircon Racing. Team.

The new provisional record is 17 hours 42 minutes and 47 seconds, but it was a close race, not least due to unexpected road closures as Broadwith drove through London to the King Edward Street finish line near the cathedral St.Paul.

The arrival location for the record, first set in 1903, was near the statue of postal reformer Roland Hill near the site of the General Post Office from 1829 until its demolition in 1912, the journey starting in front of its counterpart in the Scottish capital. , as stipulated in the RRA rules for record attempts.

History of the RRA men’s non-rhythmic bike record, from London to Edinburgh. Recognized by the award of the TG King shield, dated 1901. pic.twitter.com/vb2nmWz4t8

– Association of road records (@RRA_GB) October 4, 2021

He wasn’t just running against the clock – as he left Edinburgh a letter was posted there addressed to a location close to the finish, meaning he was also running against the speed with which the Royal Mail could move it from one city to another. . It looks like he won that one too.

In 2018, Broadwith broke the Land’s End record at John O’Groats by more than half an hour, and among those who supported him on the side of the road during that ride was Gethin Butler, who held the record in the previous 17 years. Likewise, he got a message of support from Wells on the eve of yesterday’s race.

> Michael Broadwith breaks Land’s End record for John O’Groats

The day before his ride, @ 24HourMaths received a nice message from Pete Wells, who held the E2L record for 32 years. No one who came out yesterday would doubt that his 1989 record was an incredible race.

– End to end 2018 (@ endtoend2018) 22 October 2021

His support team also paid tribute to the “incredible” support he received on his way from Edinburgh to London, from people standing by the roadside to people following his progress on the roads. social networks.

The day before his ride, @ 24HourMaths received a nice message from Pete Wells, who held the E2L record for 32 years. No one who came out yesterday would doubt that his 1989 record was an incredible race.

– End to end 2018 (@ endtoend2018) 22 October 2021