Neil Campbell recognised as fastest man ever on a bike by Guinness World Records

Essex  architect Neil Campbell has been officially recognised as the fastest man ever on a bicycle by Guinness World Records.

In August, he hit a draft assisted speed of 174.3 miles per hour (280.6 kilometres an hour) at Elvington Airfield in North Yorkshire, also breaking his own motor-paced European record.

Quoted on BBC News, Campbell, who was towed up to speed behind a Porsche Cayenne then pedalled in its slipstream, said: “I never thought we could achieve it in this country.”

He added that verification of the record had come as a “Huge relief. It's a reassurance – and a recognition for the team who have been working towards this for a very long time.

“But records are made to be broken. I feel quite humbled.”

Only Denise Mueller-Korenek of the United States has ever gone quicker on a bicycle, hitting 184 miles per hour (296 kilometres per hour) last year at Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah.

Her effort eclipsed the 166.9 miles per hour (268.8 kilometres per hour) motor-paced world record held since 1995 at the same location by Fred Rompelberg from the Netherlands.

Campbell is now targeting Mueller-Korenek’s record, but acknowledges that he would have to undertake his attempt in Utah.

He is aiming to exceed 220 miles per hour (354 kilometres per hour) on the six-mile track at Bonneville Salt Flats.

“The challenge is not just physical,” he added, “it's about science, planning and teamwork.”