'I've always been a daredevil' - Cyclist tries to beat 144km/h record after facing paralysis during last attempt

Last month, François Pervis tried to become the fastest person ever on two wheels

François Pervis in a rainbow jersey with his recumbent bike
(Image credit: François Pervis)

François Pervis has always been transfixed by speed. “Do you know what a casse-cou is?” he asks. “That’s what I am.” 

It is what has helped the Frenchman to seven world titles and an Olympic bronze medal as a track sprinter. Translated literally, casse-cou means break-neck, but in English, the term is daredevil. 

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Tom Davidson
Senior News Writer

Tom joined Cycling Weekly as a news and features writer in the summer of 2022, having previously contributed as a freelancer. He is the host of The TT Podcast, which covers both the men's and women's pelotons and has featured a number of prominent British riders.

An enthusiastic cyclist himself, Tom likes it most when the road goes uphill and actively seeks out double-figure gradients on his rides.