Rider climbs the mountain that bears his name on his 103rd birthday

Robert Marchand celebrated his 103rd birthday by climbing to the top of Col Robert Marchand

Robert Marchand (middle) holds the Hour Record for his age

Statistics say that not many of us will live to see our 103rd birthday, let alone have a large hill in France named after us, so Robert Marchand’s ascent of his ‘col’ made his birthday even more special.

The former fire-fighter from Amiens traversed the Col Robert Marchand, a 10km stretch of the D532 between Saint Felicien and Lalouvesc, in less than an hour, celebrating with a well-earned glass of champagne at the summit.

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Stuart Clarke is a News Associates trained journalist who has worked for the likes of the British Olympic Associate, British Rowing and the England and Wales Cricket Board, and of course Cycling Weekly. His work at Cycling Weekly has focused upon professional racing, following the World Tour races and its characters.