The crazy feat of ultracyclist Riccardo Sporzon: “I want to travel 928 km in 24 hours”

“Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion”. Limits, like fears, are often just an illusion. This iconic phrase, pronounced by Michael Jordan on the day of his entry into the basketball hall of fame, managed to go beyond the simple concept of sport and reached the hearts of everyone, from professionals to amateurs, motivating them in their respective careers. The last in this long line it is definitely Riccardo Sporzon, a very young ultracyclist from Veneto. The native of Fossò, a small village in the province of Venice, started cycling almost by chance, but immediately realized that he had a particular feeling with the vehicle. A few months ago, precisely on June 4, 2023, teased by the idea of ​​taking his body to the limit, he traveled 467.3 km in 19 and a half hoursestablishing a new world record among the Under 18s. “I’ve had it in my head for a long time” – he declared at the end of the test – “and I promised it to my grandmother. (who passed away in February 2023, ed.). She was fundamental for me, she respected me very much and showed me boundless love”.

Now Riccardo wants to do another crazy thing, but at stake is no longer just the Under 18 title, but the world record. The current record belongs to Ralph Diseviscourt, Luxembourg ultracyclist, with just over 927 km in 24 hours. Sporzon, on August 31st, will try to travel 928 km in an outdoor velodrome, so as to exceed the Diseviscourt measure. A crazy undertaking, especially in relation to his young age (Riccardo was born in 2005, ed.). “I love studying the human body”the cyclist confided to us. “I like to understand how it can support and overcome certain situations. I honestly promised myself that I would never experience similar things, but as my parents say, I’m a volcano and I don’t like sitting still. Right now I’m working with a team of professionals: they help me physically and mentally. I think top form will arrive in August, a few days before the test”

“I admit that attempting this record is stimulating, but at the same time also quite stressful. Furthermore, this year I will also have the high school diploma and the medical entrance test. Luckily I have some wonderful classmates and when I’m with them I can forget all the efforts I have to make in the afternoon. They are fantastic people. And then obviously I have to thank mine familywho helps me with everything: from moral support to nutrition, through training and more technical things. I will forever be grateful to them and I hope one day to be able to repay them in the best possible way, perhaps with a world record.”