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SUPER-FIT British cyclist Mark Beaumont yesterday became the fastest person ever to pedal around the world.Pedalling into Paris with sun-bleached hair and an escort of half-a-dozen French policemen yesterday, Mark Beaumont looked more like a rogue Robinson Crusoe than a real-life Phileas Fogg.
But far from being stranded on a desert island for months on end, the cycling-mad Scot had just reached the end of a record-breaking bid to circumnavigate the globe.
After a mammoth 194 days and eight hours in the saddle, the 25-year-old made it around the world in virtually 80 days less than the previous record holder.
As he cycled past the Arc de Triomphe at about 2.30pm British time, his delight at smashing the existing world record of 276 days was clear.
And while Guinness World Records officials will take up to a week to check the paperwork - including GPS readings and receipts for ferry tickets and lunches - to confirm his success, they said it looked pretty certain that he was a record-breaker.
Surrounded by crowds of well-wishers, Mr Beaumont was in no doubt about that as he said: "It's an absolutely fantastic feeling to achieve the world record after six months on the road.
"I'm delighted, although I think it will take a while for it to sink in. It's great to see my friends and family and now I'm looking forward to getting some sleep.
"The challenge was one of those things which was out there to be done. I love the idea of being the first and the fastest and I felt I was capable of beating the record."
The Herculean-style efforts of the economics and politics graduate from Newburgh in Fife had attracted so much interest that he struggled to get over the finishing line because so many people were waiting to see him.
Among them were his family, parents Una and Kevin, and sisters Heather, 26, and Hannah, 23, who were all due to join him at a reception being held last night.
Heather said: "He looked absolutely wild, but very well and really happy. He was living his dream. He was emotional. The last section was really hard. His legs had been really hurting, the end could not come soon enough."
Mrs Beaumont, who was the project co-ordinator of her son's challenge, said: "I am very proud of him. With Mark, the passion is being the first and the fastest. It's about pushing himself to the limit."
Understandably after 18,000 miles through 20 countries including India, Pakistan and Malaysia, averaging 100 miles a day, the adventurous cyclist was a little saddle-sore.
He said: "The last two days on the road have been hard but about 40km from Paris the adrenalin kicked in and I flew up the last hills.
"I'm going to celebrate and then crash out."
In the months since he left Paris last August he has had more than his fair share of less welcome adventures too, including being knocked off his bike in the American state of Louisiana by an elderly motorist who drove through a red light.
He also endured floods and road-rage and had his wallet and camera stolen from a hostel after a fight broke out.
As he recovered yesterday, he added that he believed he could have gone even faster if he hadn't had to eat junk food in Australia and the US.
However, there was no likelihood that he would develop an unwanted spare tyre, as he needed to eat 6000 calories a day under the tough regime for the challenge.
As well as breaking records he hopes to raise £18,000 - £1 for every mile travelled -for charities including Edinburgh Cyrenians Trust and Community Action Nepal.
Staff and pupils at the High School of Dundee, where Mr Beaumont was a pupil, were delighted by his success. Rector Mike Duncan said: "Mark's journey has been a true challenge of spirit and endurance, and he well deserves to take his place in the history books.
"His journey has not just illustrated the diversity of our planet, which has in itself been a valuable lesson for our pupils, but has provided them with a source of inspiration.
"On behalf of everyone at the High School, I offer him our warmest congratulations."
Messages of support also came from Scots Olympic cyclist Chris Hoy, acclaimed mountaineer Doug Scott CBE and Prince William, who sent a telegram congratulating Mr Beaumont on his "Herculean challenge".
Guinness World Records spokeswoman Amarilis Espinoza said: "Mark put in the proper application at the beginning and he and his team, and his mother, have been in touch with us throughout. We just need to check the paperwork which will take no more than a week but we're very excited for him."
The previous record holder, Steven Strange from Devon, was the first person to set the record when he completed his trip in 2005.
- www.theherald.co.uk
