Markus Stoeckl sets speed world record

Author: | 31 May 2011 | 16

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There’s downhill and then there’s down hill…


Markus Stoeckl – World Record in Nicaragua >>

A new world speed record for serial mountain bikes on gravel was set by the 36-year-old Austrian Markus Stoeckl on a volcano in Nicaragua when he hit 164.95 km/h and eclipsed the record set nine years ago by Eric Barone of France, who was on hand to witness the feat as the organizer.

dh33333 Markus Stoeckl sets speed world record

LEON (Nicaragua) – Nine years ago Eric Barone of France set the world speed record for serial as well as prototype bicycles with a set of spectacular runs down the Cerro Negro volcano in Nicaragua. But a horrific crash there on the black slope as he was slowing down after setting the record abruptly ended his career.

helmet2 Markus Stoeckl sets speed world record

In the spring of 2011, the 50-year-old Frenchman returned to the scene of what was both his greatest triumph and horrible accident. But this time Barone,! who is still marked by the crash, returned not as an active participant but rather as the organizer for a record-breaking attempt by Markus Stoeckl, who came to Nicaragua already holding the world record on snow. The Austrian is called “Hercules” in the mountain biking community because of his imposing size — he stands 190 cm and weighs 103 kg. He had already set the record on snow of 210.4 km/h in Chile in 2007.

dh Markus Stoeckl sets speed world record

The 550-meter long track for the current record attempt on gravel on the still active volcano Cerro Negro in Nicaragua led directly from the rim of the crater to the base. “The surface is like riding down a 45-degree beach of sand and pebbles. Only once you hit higher speeds is it possible to ride with some stability,” said Stoeckl. He gradually moved up higher towards the rim of the crater with a series of training runs and then broke the record on his first attempt – if only just. He was clocked at 164.95 km/h – just 1 km/h faster! than Barone, who was the first to congratulate him in the finish area . “Riding this fast under these conditions is definitely at the limit,” said the dethroned record holder. The new world record holder would agree with that. “Hercules” Stoeckl, who travels the world as an event manager and leads the “MS Evil Racing Team”, has tasted blood. But he wants to make a run at the record for prototypes somewhere else and not on the black mountain in Nicaragua!

dh1 Markus Stoeckl sets speed world record

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16 Responses to “Markus Stoeckl sets speed world record”

  1. …take a look at Eric Barone’s slightly less successful attempt: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLRDRzMWIsg

  2. @Renners that was painfull ride for him

  3. On an evil revolt! Of all the bikes in the world……….

  4. The scary thing is, his bike isnt that aerodynamic. If he used the session that trek were developing in the wind tunnels and making it more aero friendly, he would probably go quicker.

  5. Y’see, this why they should un-ban skinsuits.

  6. @Hancock. Because they look so sexy?

  7. I think the dude with a metalica t-shirt on shows why they should be ban in life not just in biking.

    some cross wind at the top then all the more impressive.

    Eric’s crash makes me a little sick, it’s not something you need to see twice.

  8. And you knows it Renners!

  9. Did someone say skinsuits?? :)

  10. should have gone for the worlds longest skid while he was at it!

  11. Never mind a TLD 3, im getting me on of those bad boys, not banned by the UCI are they for DH racing? I dont even need to buy goggles!

  12. Looks more like Britney Spears than that bint on BGT!

  13. [...] A new world speed record for serial mountain bikes on gravel was set by the 36-year-old Austrian Markus Stoeckl on a volcano in Nicaragua when he hit  …  Pictures & Details [...]

  14. The walk up to the top of that mountain looks like a Trek….

  15. He says in the video he did it on a totally stock bike- that’s impressive :o

  16. LOL @ Big_Tim, best use of “looks like a Trek” ever!

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