This week we're diving into the rumours surrounding Lachlan Morton's potential around-the-world record attempt, breaking down what it would take to beat Mark Beaumont's 78-day record. We'll also help you build a stronger racing team with practical tactical advice, explore the new under-23 world championship eligibility rules, and finish with essential fueling strategies for when the pace is too high to eat solid food.
Key Takeaways
- Mark Beaumont's around-the-world record stands at 78 days, 14 hours and 40 minutes covering 29,000+ km—Lachlan's Australian circumnavigation and timing suggest an imminent announcement
- Build team cohesion by assigning clear roles (climber, sprinter, breakaway rider) and practicing tactical drills like lead-outs in training, not just racing
- When racing or doing hard group rides at high intensity, switch to high-carb sports drinks with varying concentrations (40-80g carbs per bottle) rather than trying to consume gels or solid food
- The new under-23 world championship rule preventing World Tour pros from racing U23 events protects the pipeline for developing cyclists and keeps more young riders engaged in the sport
- Tire wear indicators exist on modern road tires (Continental GP5000 etc.)—watch for puncture resistance loss and multiple flats in quick succession as signs to replace, typically at 4,000-7,000 km
- Choose bike colors based on what makes your heart skip a beat, not what others recommend—the emotional connection to your bike matters more than aesthetic trends
Expert Quotes
"The public perception of Lachlan is very different to the killer that he is inside. I think he plays this laid-back Surfer Dude Aussie Beach Bum who just likes to ride his bike... but he's working as part of the EF-Education academy with one of the best coaches in the world."
"If you have one all-out team leader it's not going to work because where's the win in that for the domestiques? There has to be a case of what goes around comes around—if I'm happy to lead out the sprinter, then he helps position me in the climbs when we go to a hillier race."
"You can't have one hand on the bars trying to follow maps on your phone after doing 12 hours—just get sugar. All that balance with dates and natural sugars goes out the window when the pace is on; it's just about figuring out what you can tolerate and getting as much carbs in as possible."