WHPSC 2025 Post-Event Press Release
The 2025 World Human Powered Speed Challenge was an excitement-filled week of racing in pursuit of world speed records across several categories of riders and vehicle classes. With the event running from Sept. 7 – 13, competitors came from across the world to ride this unique venue with a variety of custom-built “speedbikes” and velomobiles. This year’s entries included teams and competitors from the U.S.A., Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, France, and Australia. Although no world records were broken, many riders set new personal top speeds and accomplished remarkable feats of athleticism. Weather was fickle throughout the week, and much of the excitement centered on whether any given attempt was “wind legal” with respect to the competition rules.
Among the most exciting stories of the week was the saga of renowned cyclist François Pervis and the speedbike team from IUT Annecy in France. Competing for the coveted Men’s Single Rider world record – a blistering 89.59 MPH set by Canadian racer Todd Reichert in 2016, and the fastest any human has ever reached under their own power – IUT Annecy returned this year with an exceptional athlete, an experienced team, and a highly refined vehicle. Pervis set numerous fast times throughout the competition and finished the week as the undisputed champion of the 2025 event with a new European record of 88.07 MPH, but he remains the second-fastest cyclist in WHPSC history.
Hopes were high for the British collegiate team from the University of Liverpool, who set out to retake the arm-powered speed record they had previously lost to Team Policumbent of Italy. Seasoned racers Karen Darke and Ken Talbot piloted one of the team’s innovative fully-faired handcycles, and a documentary crew accompanying the group doubtless added to the stakes for success. However, fate was not on their side this year; the team was not able to match their previous best speeds, and the Italians’ world record still stands.
Many riders competed at WHPSC simply for the joy of racing, and the event community was thrilled to see some significant personal successes from racers both new and experienced. Collegiate teams from the University of Toronto and California Polytechnic San Luis Obispo brought several novice riders, and finished the week with a range of new “speed hats”. Russell Bridge of Team 77 and Steve “Slash” Slade of Team Beano brought their long-standing rivalry from the UK racing circuit across the pond to America, much to the entertainment of the event community; Russell finished the event at 76.11 MPH, just short of the British record.
The event is grateful to the town of Battle Mountain and to Lander County for hosting this unique gathering, and to the community for welcoming all of the teams, competitors, and volunteers for the time we spent in Nevada. We look forward to returning for the next iteration of the World Human Powered Speed Challenge, which will be held in Battle Mountain, NV from September 13-19, 2026.