08/06/2010

• Rider covers record distance of 1,219 kms (757 miles) in 24 hours
• 1,000 kms (621 miles) in 19 hours, 27 minutes
• Average speed after just under 665 kilometres (413 miles) at over 55 km/h (34 mph)

Hanover, 6th August 2010. On 31st July and 1st August record-breaking cyclist Christian von Ascheberg from Braunschweig set up three new world records on his special bike at the Lausitzring in Germany. After 12 hours he had covered a distance of 664.97 kilometres (413.19 miles) at an average speed of 55.41 km/h (34.43 mph)..

On his second record-breaking ride he covered 1,000 kilometres (621 miles) in 19 hours and 27 minutes. And for the third record he managed 1,219 kilometres (757 miles) in 24 hours on three wheels - at an average speed of 50.8 km/h (31.57 mph). This means von Ascheberg has clearly beaten all existing records. The ultra high speeds and the virtually effortless cycling were possible thanks to the encapsulated, aerodynamically-designed fairings of the Milan tricycle and the very low rolling resistance of the Continental Grand Prix racing tyres. "It was only because of the extremely low rolling resistance of the Continental Grand Prix tyres that we managed to get the 'Milan' three-wheeler to run much more smoothly than the single-track Bülk record cycle I took for the trainings" said a delighted von Ascheberg.

"So far no-one has ever covered a distance of 1,219 kilometres on one day under his own steam; history has been made on Dekra's test grounds" summarised graduated engineer Helge Herrmann, who works as a designer for the specialist company 'Räderwerk' in Hanover and built the record-breaking vehicle. "The 'Milan' was able to fully utilise its strengths - i.e. its very low rolling and wind resistance, plus its extremely good straight-line running against side wind and its stable road holding."

At Continental, too, they are very proud of the co-operation between the two Hanover-based companies. "Our bicycle tyre was an important element in breaking this record" said Constantin Batsch, Head of the Two-Wheeled Tyre section at Continental. "It gave us the chance to show that the racing bike tyres which we produce in our factory in Korbach, in Germany's federal state of Hesse, are a good choice for both professionals and amateurs, enabling them to cycle fast without tiring."