August 20, 2017 (Milton, ON) – A packed Mattamay National Cycling Centre saw Giuseppe Marinoni come ever so close to beating the Best Hour Record in the 80-84 UCI Masters category. The legendary frame builder finished at 38.334km or 323m shy (1 lap) off the current record of 38.657 km held by Paul Martinez of France.

The remarkable Marinoni went 2.606km further than his previous record-setting distance of 35.728km in the 75-79 age group Best Hour Record achieved back in October 2012 at the Montichiari Velodrome in Montichiari, Italy.

Riding a bike he built in 1978 for Canadian cycling icon, Jocelyn Lovell, Marinoni added discs and aero bars for his Aug. 19 attempt. The bike was captured in a stunning painting by Mami Yonekura that was part of an art display the evening prior at the Milton Arts Center where the screening and tribute of Marinoni: The Fire in the Frame was held in honour of Lovell.

Marinoni was away at 3pm with thunderous applause urging him on as announcer Adam Kulchyski from Montreal shouted “He’s off”. Keeping pace with 53×14 gearing he was en route to the history books at the half way mark.

But the latter part was more challenging as he slipped behind and found himself down about a 1/2-lap in the final 10 minutes. The crowd began cheering and on the bell lap fans rose to their feet as they saluted their hero who finished only 323m short of the record. “Only a lap behind,” said UCI Commissaire Louise Lalonde.

“It was perfect…shall I start again,” quipped Marinoni as he greeted fans. After recognizing the crowd he signed countless autographs taking time for photos, hugs and handshakes with well wishers. He will try again in Mexico in about a month.

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