The Frenchman only actually took up cycling again in the 1990s, though he was a keen rider in his youth as well. He still rides with his local club every weekend and also makes daily trips to the gym – and he actually thinks he could have gone faster.

“I did not see the sign warning me I had 10 minutes left, said Marchand, according to The Guardian. “Otherwise I would have gone faster. I would have posted a better time. I’m now waiting for a rival.”

His physiologist Veronique Billat agreed, stating: “He could have been faster but he made a big mistake. He has stopped eating meat over the past month after being shocked by recent reports on how animals are subjected to cruel treatment.”

Marchand’s coach Gerard Mistler added: “Setting goals for himself is part of his personality. If he tells me he wants to improve his record, I’ll be game. Robert is a great example for all of us.”