Ultra-cyclist Lael Wilcox's world record attempt ends in exhaustion

Alaskan ultra-cyclist Lael Wilcox has been forced to abandon her ambitious attempt to set a new world record for the fastest circumnavigation by bicycle. The endeavor, which began with the goal of surpassing existing records, was ultimately thwarted by the punishing heatwave gripping Southern Europe.

Wilcox, 39, announced her decision to stop on Sunday after two weeks of intense cycling. She had been suffering from heat-induced exhaustion for several consecutive days. Her support team ultimately encouraged her to withdraw from the challenge. "I've been feeling sick every day and this morning I vomited after cycling for an hour. It's actually a miracle I haven't fainted," a tearful Wilcox shared via Instagram.

Despite her deep aversion to quitting, Wilcox acknowledged that stopping was the correct decision under the circumstances. The record attempt had faced difficulties even in North America, where rain and strong winds posed challenges. Upon arriving in Spain about a week prior, she immediately encountered extreme heat. Over the two weeks, Wilcox cycled close to 5,000 kilometers. While this pace was insufficient to meet the daily distance required for the overall world record, it was ahead of her own 2024 women's record pace.

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I've been feeling sick every day and this morning I vomited after cycling for an hour. It's actually a miracle I haven't fainted. I hate quitting, but it is the right decision now. I have never tried this hard.