World Speed Record - Richard "Gaspi" Gasperotti

Dec 1, 2009 at 15:50
by Tyler Maine  
Source: Gaspi

211,5 km/h (131,42 mph)!? You can achieve that, too. It only takes a MTB, suicidal tendencies, the police to measure your speed, a piece of strong rope and a friend who will tow you across a long enough landing strip. And you also need a bit of luck and fair weather with no rain.

Details inside,Think this is mad? Czech freerider Richard “Gaspi” Gasperotti (32) doesn’t think so. The veteran of three Red Bull Rampage and Adidas Slopestyle events decided to set a world speed record on a bike towed on a rope by a motorbike. The role of the motorbike rider was readily taken up by Czech streetfighter and road motorbike stuntman Pepa “Srsen” Silar, the holder of the world speed record in front wheel ride (234km/h). He had already towed Gapsi with a quad onto a ramp, which Gaspi used to jump from at FMX exhibitions.

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The attempt was preceded by only one trial ride to test the resistance of material and the reliability of the rope link. The 5-metre-long tow rope was equipped with a security release. “It’s an invention of my fathers’,” says Gaspi. “If I move away more than 15cm from the handlebar, it would disconnect me from Pepa.” However, the motorbike rider had the other end of the rope tied around his belt to feel precisely what was happening behind his back. “Looking back, my knees tremble when I think about what might have happened,” says biker Srsen. “If there was any problem, Gaspi would bring me down from the bike because he wouldn’t manage to disconnect.”

The fact that the road motorbike would easily handle speeds of over 200km/h was clear from the beginning. However, the question was how a production mountain bike would handle such speeds. Gaspi rides a Specialized Demo 7 equipped with Funn components and Fox 200/180 mm shocks. By how much is a bike less stable than a motor bike? “About a hundred times” Srsen compares the two machines.

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Gaspi’s biggest concern was the resilience of wheel hubs, which are not designed for such high speeds. He was afraid that they may overheat and break, or that the ball bearings might seize. Likewise, brake rotors might warp and get stuck between the pads. Both scenarios would end up with a dramatic fall.

In case of falling, both riders wore PSI Hubik kangaroo skin racing bike overalls, which is highly wear-resistant. However, a fall would be nasty. “We’d slide about 200m at such a speed,” things Pepa Srsen. They would survive as there was no solid obstacle on the airport to crash against, but they would be badly grazed and broken.

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To ensure better stability, a motorbike steering shock absorber was attached to the production bicycle. It mainly reduced rider's steering input and helped eliminated handlebar vibrations during gear change and the possibility of Gaspi being thrown out of saddle by an unexpected gust of wind. As for tyres, Gaspi opted for Defender, which he jointly designed and created with Czech company Rubena. “They are designed for slopestyle and dirt, but they nevertheless did a good job during the record attempt,” says Gaspi. They were not pumped with air, but with a special compound that does not expand and change pressure with rising temperature.

When the D-Day finally came, everyone’s fears materialized – a heavy rain started to fall all over the Czech Republic. It was raining almost everywhere, but the Tchořovice airport near Blatná, South Bohemia, was miraculously basking in the sun. Everyone was ready: both riders, the police squad with radars, and the official commissioner, who saw that all rules were complied with, and the TV crew. After a short discussion, the bikers decided to go at it. They allowed themselves only three attempts as they didn’t want to risk fatigue of material.

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When the team first dashed across the tarmac, everyone was silent. None of those present had seen anyone riding a bike that fast before. Srsen and Gapsi just whizzed by. Police radars measured different values of 205 km/h (127,4 mph) and 218 km/h (135,5 mph). This corresponds to an average of 211,5 km/h (131,42 mph).

Gaspi himself expected a better result from his attempt at the record. He hoped he would manage to break the magical barrier of 250 km/h (155,34 mph). The speedo showed 248 km/h (154,1 mph) in the training, but it was an unofficial figure. “I expected we’d manage to squeeze more out of it,” Gaspi comments on the performance. It was the motorbike that had the biggest impact on the outcome. It didn’t pull as much as it was necessary for a higher speed. Switching motorbikes didn’t help much, either. “It was enough for today. I’m glad that we both survived and are sound and well,” the 32-year-old biker admitted.

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However, he felt no fear. “Pepa is a motorbike professional, I am a bike professional. I’ve had 100% confidence in him and we discussed this record attempt a lot, talking about how and when to change gears and then, of course, how to disconnect and who should dodge where.”

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Gaspi hasn’t been thinking about breaking his record yet. “I wanted to see how it feels to ride a bike at over 200 km/h (124.3 mph) and I am fine with that. I’d like to thank anyone who believes in me as that is why I believe in myself,” he said.

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brule avatar

Member since Mar 27, 2001
3,581 articles

144 Comments
  • 40 5
 pretty lame, since the last world record holder road down a mountain to achieve his speed...
  • 18 1
 I agree i dont think this should really count. ya he did it but why not get a tow from a ferrari next time and go faster? doenst really work like that....
  • 22 1
 It's two different records guys, one is pedal power, unassisted, the other is tow in, or assited. It'll show up in the books as two different records. However, the land speed record is also 130mph, UNASSISTED! Which is more impressive to me. But nevertheless, props to the rider!
  • 5 3
 "lol the guy who made the old record rode down a hill!11 Can you call that even biking!oneone in the old days..."
Quit moaning, that speed is kinky even on motorbike let alone on MTB.
  • 2 1
 I agree it should of been down a mountain, thats what DH bikes are for and not to be towed in. and I'm sorry but where the hell do you live as all the bikers I know are willing to go that fast!!!
  • 24 2
 what no video thats gay
  • 13 0
 Speed Wobbles=f*cked.
  • 5 1
 I'm with everybody else here on this one, It's fast as hell, but There was a motor involved So it Fails to be a "Mountain Bike Speed Record" It prolly took some balls to do it but they wern't necicarilly Huge balls.

Going straight on smooth pavement oooooooooohhh...
  • 5 0
 Great speed, But that bike deserves to send some gaps and get ridden the way it was built too.

Poor little fella must be dying to see some dirt ):
  • 5 1
 my mate done 115 mph on a kona stinky i was driving the car. i think this is pritty crap since the last world record holder road down a mountain to achieve his speed
  • 4 0
 i think it is just a publicity stunt, i do not believe it takes a great amount of skill to do this Just my oppinion though, congrats for your new record
  • 2 0
 wow I am almost out of my chair laughing at some of these comments. I can tell you from experience that going that fast on a street bike isnt that big a deal, but turning at that speed however is a completely different thing. Now doing it on a 40lb bike not designed for that at all is insane. I would like to see you kids jump on a bike and do this, oh wait your mom probably wouldnt let you... Get a life and give this guy the respect he deserves. Props man you have some balls!
  • 1 0
 Fred Rompelberg actually pedaled to 167 mph... Used an 800hp car to cheat the wind.

Interesting that one crank rotation would move the bike 114 feet.
  • 1 0
 Am i the only one that doesn't understand why he went with knobby tires? If i was going for speed record on tarmac i would atleast had put a set of hookworms or something on.. but cool anyways. Not awesomely sick, but it needed to be done Wink
  • 2 1
 I don't think this record should stand. Simply because he was "towed" into it. That guy on the red M6 who got the record riding downhill a few years ago should still have it. Actually riding, no other efforts made to go faster. Without any outside influences the fastest a rider and bike could ever go would be about 220mph. That'd be easy too. Just ride out of a plane. Terminal velocity of a stable falling human body is that fast. The bike beneath you could possibly cut the air a bit easier allowing a few more mph. At least then the record would be achieved without an outside influence. The plane wouldn't count, because it is just like a chair life, used only to get to the top. but then again, he's not riding, just falling...
  • 1 0
 hi i am markus the guy who got up to 210 km/h in the mountains of la parva, congratulations to gaspi for that ride, i would not do it, by the way respect to all the other riders which are riding there bikes with passion (it is the biggest fun out there)
  • 1 0
 Pretty cool 124mph and in practice 154mph. but there is a drafting behind car while pedaling record over 160mph (on road bike) was suppose to be broke in 2001 at 207mph but the rider passed during a "routine road" ride and on warren miller's freeriders 1998 the snow record speed coasting was 140mph. Not that I could do better but would like to see faster if being towed by a rope.
  • 1 0
 hes probly riding the demo for stbility, so any little bump wouldnt throw him off to much and he we all know no bastered can pedal up to 211 km on flat, its a spiecial circumstance record and the record didnt state he had to pedal, i would lke to see anyone who disrespected this guy to do what he did!
  • 1 0
 Gorck250 "Its called a steering damper stops tank slapers. The funny thing is I never needed one on my CBR600RR got it up to 275kph."

RR's never really had a steering issue, the only time you will see it is coming down from a wheelie, or out of a corner on the gas. Ride a 954 hard and then say the same thing, you will realize that a damper is designed and installed for a reason. Oh and your 6RR didnt hit 275kph, the speedo might have said that but it has a pretty major error at that speed. My gixxer said 282kph, but that wasnt accurate either. You need a gun to be accurate at that speed.
Dampers are for sudden forces acting on the front of the bike that are typically not from your input, although they have saved quite a few squids from eating pavement.
  • 4 2
 Amazing....I know I would never do that!

But what is the point of riding a Demo on a tarmac?Shouldn't he have used a road bike or something??



Inspiring nonetheless
  • 5 1
 a Demo could hold the forces MUCH better. plus its heavier so its easier to control
  • 2 2
 especially with a motorbike steering shock absorber attached from frame to fork.
  • 4 0
 If he would have hit a small bump on a road bike, the frame, or something else might have given out. The Demo is much stronger and it could handle any bumps much easier.
  • 4 0
 slack headangle ,long wheelbase, low bb all are good to provide stablity in a straight line
  • 2 0
 y are you all so f+cking stupid?

Being Pulled, and riding down a hill are two different records. Was mentioned like 4 times allready and you still talk shit!
  • 3 0
 he must feel pretty cool after he beat a world record going fast on a mountain bike, what a waste of time...
  • 1 0
 ehhh its cool and all but come on. towed by a crotch rocket. on an airport runway on a demo with 40's ?!?!? OVERKILL take it to the mountains and handle it there. pyyeaaaaaaaaaa
  • 6 3
 what a joke... i can go 200 if a ferrari pulls me BIG WHOOP BRO get going 135 down a mountain and then I'll give you props
  • 2 0
 A pointless exercise, but balls of steel required.

I'm surprised he didnt have a neck brace on.

And why not a hopey steering damper?
  • 1 0
 Why? You drilled through a Specialized demo! It is useless now! Go ride the mountains!!! What next baking brownies doing double front flips while tethered to a jet car!!! Come on, really?
  • 5 2
 i couldnt even imagine going that fast on a bicycle hahaha
  • 7 1
 248kmph.. I'd be scared to do that on a motorbike let alone a DH bike... theres no way.
  • 7 27
flag ivanfiestas (Dec 1, 2009 at 20:34) (Below Threshold)
 Come on, I'm a begginer in sports bike and I have done 230 km/h in a Ducati Monster SR2, first time I was riding it... Is not a big deal. Cornering fast is a different story though.
  • 7 3
 but the guy is doing it on a downhill bike...but yeah, its no big deal 248 on a bike, I can pedal up a moutain faster than this, no big deal
  • 2 2
 Come on, Do you know how to read? I was answering to the comment above, where the guy says he wouldnt ride a MOTORBIKE over 200 km/h.
  • 1 0
 Oups, sorry. I dont know how to read cause i'm only a 20 year old university student retard
  • 1 0
 Thats not a point, I was talking about speeding in a motorbike and you thought I was talking about bicycle speed. And btw, I have a 5 year bachelor and a masters degree, so no point for you last comment either.
  • 4 1
 thats crazy,would of been cool to show some video footage of it
  • 3 0
 thats sick! but some footage of it would be crazy
  • 3 2
 i find that pretty lame. as much as it was ridiculously fast, anyone with enough guts could do that and set a new record. props to that guys anyways
  • 3 1
 I think i could go faster than that. I got going 65 mph once by holding onto my friends window on his Dodge Durango....
  • 1 3
 More faster you go = more force there will be making it harder for you. And it increases rapidly towards the end...
  • 1 0
 i'm glad he did it on an actual bike, and not some uber light wieght, aerodynamically efficent, will break if you ride it more than once road bike.
  • 1 0
 I dont think he had a choice, think of the head angle and bar width on a road bike. Not to mention the skinny wheels and tyres. A road bike would not have worked
  • 1 0
 thats sick!!! need to see a video. imagine there was even a tiny bit of the pads rubbing on the disk it would get sooo hot! looks so fun Big Grin
  • 1 0
 my bad just found the link for the video, missed it first time i looked through
  • 4 1
 gotta say thats the sickest fucking demo ive ever seen in my life
  • 3 1
 its amazing what the "dare-devils" of the cycling world do....

blows my mind
  • 2 0
 does this count? i mean, he was pulled by a motorcycle, unlike Markus Stoeckl that obtained the speed...
  • 2 0
 i vote NO! to have a motorcycle pull him a long is as bad as using EPO in the TDF... cheater!
  • 1 0
 And all this time I thought the Ridley Dean was supposed to be the fastest bike in the world... and its a good old Demo. Take that, TT-geeks!
  • 3 1
 haha "The speedo showed 248 km/h"
  • 3 1
 135mph on any bicycle is nuts.
  • 2 0
 www.pinkbike.com/photo/2893342 yeap , I like airport too Big Grin
  • 1 0
 Another czech idiot... Smile
  • 1 2
 He has a damper between the top of his stanchion and the frame, I imagine to to stop speed wobble, i would have thought modifications like that would be against the rules, as its now not a normal DH bike. Pretty pointless.
  • 3 1
 not impressed, neg prop me all you want
  • 3 5
 YOU ALL WHINE SO MUCH LIKE LITTLE GIRLS. WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR OPINIONS ?? IF THE GUY IS NOT PEDALING AT 211,5 km/h (131,42 mph), WHO GIVES A SH** ON HOW HE GAINS SPEED, STREET BIKE PULLING HIM, OR THE STEEPEST SLICKEST DOWNHILL COURSE ??? AND ON WHAT BIKE HE IS ON, DEMO 8, OR A 3 YEAR OLD BMX OR EVEN IN A FRIDGE WITH FUC**NG TRUCK WHEELS ON.. SISSY F*GS BITC*ING GAY CUN*S. THE DUDES EFFORT IS TO BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND RESPECTED.
  • 1 0
 i agree with Ralfinger. 2 totally different records. that is f***in' movin though.
  • 1 0
 Would be good to include video, not only photos. At least someone posted link to it.
  • 1 0
 I find a film of record !!


www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJm2TXztSz4

please give on pinkbike.com Smile
  • 3 1
 pretty pointless pull someone with a veyron
  • 1 0
 "200 kph? Pah, i'm going for 400!"
  • 1 0
 now whats impressive is if he was holdin on to say his buddy's mirror beside a truck goin that fast
  • 2 0
 He should hit a ramp at that speed. THAT would be impressive
  • 1 1
 Guy has some balls to try this as a MTBr but I don't think this would be much of a challenge to your average enthusiast level motorcyclist.
  • 2 0
 good thing your front brake didnt lock upp thats crazy
  • 2 1
 thats one fast machine!!!
  • 1 2
 the motorbike that is...
  • 1 0
 that's awesome can't imagine going that fast
  • 1 0
 hes crazy thats so fast for something so light
  • 1 0
 that is such a sick bike
  • 1 0
 anyone got a vid of this?
  • 2 2
 no vid either, just pics im sorry thats a bit pathetic. and the dh should be going dh not behind a motorcycle.
  • 1 0
 wheres the video? he didnt do it?
  • 1 0
 why is he wearing two different shoes ?
  • 6 4
 wow!!
  • 45 1
 i want to see the GoPro cameras' point of view video
  • 7 2
 yeah that would be cool to see
  • 23 1
 yes i love fox and now the fox 40's are rated for 200kmh lmao sooooo sick
  • 6 3
 thats sick, and so is the bike. that custom suspension stuff looks crazy
  • 3 1
 nice tyres
  • 25 71
flag heavymetal45 (Dec 1, 2009 at 20:24) (Below Threshold)
 That is the gayest thing i have ever seen! do you really need 40's a demo?? being towed behind a street bike going fast, no jump and no pavment?!? GAY!!!!!!!!
  • 7 0
 anyone have a video
  • 4 7
 super siickk and nice demo but the handle bar is locked on the frame
  • 29 10
 NOT WOW! he is towed not shredding down the mountain like the other records
  • 14 2
 idk why he needs a downhill bike to set the land speed record
  • 7 0
 yeah right? come on he could hit 13,000 on an xc bike, gimme a demo!
  • 4 2
 he doesnt need a demo to go straight on a road
  • 16 2
 Have fun hitting any bumps on a rigid bike at that speed . . you'd immediately lose control. In addition, a DH bike has slack angles and is meant for speed.
  • 3 2
 dude that happened in june... y did it come up so late?
  • 6 2
 phreekboy who said it was ever real dh riding?

And I think you guys are missing the point. If you have ever been on a motorcycle that fast you will quickly understand how things work. Turning is next to nada, every little single thing you do on the bike from lean, move, tilt effects your bike. The lighter the bike the looser he would have got.

There are more reasons than what you guys are thinking. Just take a physics class in HS or college and you will learn all about it.
  • 2 3
 why odd shoes though?
  • 9 1
 To all the haters - if you think it's easy and stupid than find a friend with a motorbike and try to even do 150km/h. It's harder to keep balance when you are pulled, especialy at gear changes because you can probably feel them. Same for the fact that at such high speed you will feel everything much more. Also DC forks are stiffer and stronger so what is that not to understand? He should do it on a lighteight road bike? Seriously kids today kill me.
  • 3 1
 2 cents one of those rare moments in MTB-History, when an 800mm flatbar would have actually been useful 2 cents
  • 3 7
flag audeo03 (Dec 2, 2009 at 6:52) (Below Threshold)
 STUPID. Why not just get on a motorcycle and see how fast you can go on flat tarmac...
  • 3 3
 first thing, a 250 pounds motorbikes,large and long rig is a completely different thing than riding a 40 pounds bike. for all the kids or the one that think they are invincible and who don't understand why they take a DH bike for that.

first : hitting a 1cm rock on a pavement whey on a rigid bike like a road one will broke the bike in two. the forces implied are way too strong a 200km/h + road bike are desing to pedal. not to be stable. for the same reason a motor bike is double suspension. but even with a full suspension bike. a 250pounds one and a 40 pounds one will react differently. 40 one will get the shit throw out of it compare to the fat one.second thing, riding a 100km/h on a bicycle is already f*cking fast. but the difficulties are exponantial. so going up to 120km/h is probably as hard as going from 0 to 100. so real prop to that guys and i hate kids without brain who think they can acheive world record wihout any difficulties and that the previous demonstration is gay.
  • 1 1
 why is this so cool? the land speed record for a bicycle at human power is like 166 mph. so whoopty do for being towed cause someone else pedaled faster that he were going
  • 3 1
 heavymetal45, he's using a dh bike because little bumps turn into big bumps at 131mph.....
  • 2 3
 that guy is soooooo UGLY!!!!
  • 2 4
 well... if you cant ride fast down a hill, or thru tight corners... maybe we all should get pulled by a moto on a flat and straight line...GAY!
  • 2 1
 then try it racecase. You do this, and get a video of it. You have absolutely no clue how fast 150 mph really is. Nothing about riding down a mountain or making tight corners.
  • 3 0
 "robyboulianne (2 days ago)
super siickk and nice demo but the handle bar is locked on the frame."

It´s not locked to frame thers a steering shock.
  • 4 0
 otherwise known as a steering damper Wink essentually a shock but with no spring Smile
  • 2 0
 alright!! now throw a launch ramp in there and that guy could break the record for longest superseater held
  • 1 0
 Woah, imgaine his brakes after, how hot they would be Razz .
  • 3 1
 Crazy
  • 1 0
 THAT IS SICK!!!!! the fastest i've ever gone on my bike is mabe 40km/h
  • 1 0
 That is what you call haling.
  • 2 0
 fkn cool event!
  • 1 1
 thats sick lookas sooo fun, too bad theres no footage tho
  • 2 2
 thats one of the best looking demos ive ever seen............
  • 1 1
 Not impressed... He was assisted
  • 1 0
 What brakes does he run?
  • 1 0
 looks like funn brakes, i havent even heard of funn components since hill was riding them.
  • 1 0
 had to be on a demo =P
  • 8 7
 he looks funny
  • 2 2
 Oh my god man. Well, gotta love the speclized. Big Grin
  • 1 0
 and on flats
  • 1 1
 neg prop me if you must, but HOW fast did he go? (In mph)
  • 1 0
 this is lame
  • 3 5
 id do it. it takes no skill just balls. any body could get towed and keep the bars strait
  • 2 2
 that is a sexy bike
  • 1 2
 gaspi o maior tetas e mamas Razz
  • 1 2
 that is some awesome stuff, hope u break the record!
  • 1 2
 Really quite surprised the video isn't attached.
  • 1 1
 I want that demo... Big Grin
  • 3 6
 what's the fox contraption connecting the fork to the frame there? Helps at high speeds for steering? Anyone know?
  • 3 1
 it says in the article - "To ensure better stability, a motorbike steering shock absorber was attached to the production bicycle. It mainly reduced rider's steering input and helped eliminated handlebar vibrations during gear change and the possibility of Gaspi being thrown out of saddle by an unexpected gust of wind"
  • 1 3
 i dunno, maybe to keep the bike going straight and not turning slightly, not quite sure, i didnt read all of it...
  • 3 1
 its the steering stabilizer they were talking about it makes it harder for the bars to get away on you and do unexpected things at high speeds
  • 4 5
 Its called a steering damper stops tank slapers. The funny thing is I never needed one on my CBR600RR got it up to 275kph.
  • 3 1
 Although its nothing like the stabilizers which go on motorbikes. To gorck250, a lot of road bikes dont need steering dampeners. It comes down to the weight, forks, the rake of the forks (also the overall motrobike design) etc.

You could probably design a mountain bike which didn't need a stering at that sort of speed but it defianetly wouldn't handle mountain bike trails very well.
  • 1 1
 agreed, for example you have a DJ bike with a steep head angle versus a DH bike with a slacker one... you dont need a dampener just because your going faster
  • 1 0
 One-armed mountain bikers have to use steering dampers for the added stability, same situation here I guess.
  • 1 3
 wow nice bike! and thats insane!







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