On 18 March Eric Barone, aka The Red Baron, set a new world speed record on mountain bike. The 56-year-old French sportsman hurtled down a snowy ski track in Vars, France, at an incredible 141.498 mph (227.720 Km/h)—beating his previous record by over three miles per hour.
Despite difficult terrain and instabilities on the fastest part of the run, Barone pushed himself beyond his limits to achieve the new world record—a record that’s been two years in the making.
Watch the official video:
After some initial jobs, including acting as a stunt double for Sylvester Stallone and Jean-Claude Van Damme, Barone began trying to achieve speed records on a bicycle at the age of 34. During his career, he’s travelled the world and descended some of the most challenging slopes including: Mount Fuji in Japan, Mauna Kea and Kilauea in Hawaii and Etna and Stromboli in Sicily.
Nouveau Record du Monde de vitesse en #VTT sur neige pour Eric Barone ce matin à @Varsfob : 227,72 km/h !!!! Bravo @EricBarone_VTT pic.twitter.com/ilMF3gn14b
— François Lamiraud (@LamiraudF) March 18, 2017
While Barone has been very fortunate on the whole during his career, in 2002 he suffered a serious crash during a world record attempt on the Cerro Negro volcano slopes in Nicaragua. He tore two shoulders, suffered a broken femur and six broken ribs. After the crash, Barone began a long period of recovery and he didn’t ride any bicycle at all for eight years. It wasn’t until 2012 that he returned to his passion.
Thanks everyone for your messages, RT, likes… You rock! 😊👍 #VTT #Record #Bike ©📷 @Richardbord pic.twitter.com/fQctJ5zITb
— Eric Barone (@EricBarone_VTT) March 20, 2017
It’s incredible to see this experienced thrill seeker back doing what he loves and doing it with such style and class. You now what Eric Barone? You rock!
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