Setting A New European Bike Speed Record

A cycling record achieved with stamina, determination, and a helping hand from Porsche.

Back in June 2018, Essex-based architect and passionate cyclist Neil Campbell set the record for the fastest cycling speed in Europe. Three months later, he broke his own best time to become the fastest European cyclist ever. Using the slipstream of a Porsche Cayenne Turbo and a custom bike, Neil Campbell achieved a top speed of 149.15 miles per hour. The special ride took place at a Straightliners event, on a short 2-mile runway at an airfield in Yorkshire, England. Cheshire-based Moss Bikes built the bicycle, customizing it for optimal performance. The bike features a blend of lightweight carbon fiber and 3D printed parts. A longer wheelbase and interchangeable gears as well as special tires completed the build.

A veritable speed machine, the Porsche Cayenne Turbo has a turbocharged 4.0-litre V8 engine which produces 550 hp as well as 770 Nm of torque. The car can complete a 0-62 mph sprint in 4.1 seconds, reaching 100 mph in just over 9 seconds. British drag racing champion Andy Frost drove the Porsche. He pushed the car to the limit to achieve the required speed on the shorter runway. After reaching a speed of 110 mph in the slipstream of the Porsche Cayenne Turbo, Neil Campbell disconnected the bike and took over, accelerating only through pedal power to break his own record. And the rest is history. While he has an important achievement under his name, Campbell has his sights on the next goal: the world record.