Strava stats show stunning progress Lachlan Morton is making as he rides Tour de France stages and transfers
The Australian is no stranger to endurance challenges, having previously broken the Everesting record among other feats
Lachlan Morton's attempt to ride all the Tour de France stages plus its transfers is going so well that he expects to be in Paris around four or five days before the actual race.
The EF Education - Nippo rider is riding stage 17 of the race on Friday, July 9, putting him four stages ahead of the peloton having already completed the first passage into the Pyrenees.
Morton, who told Cycling Weekly on Friday morning that he isn't keeping track of the attention his ride is getting due to having "basic 2G internet connection that takes a lifetime to load up" is, however, submitting his rides to Strava.
The ride-sharing platform reveals just how fast the Australia is going too despite his weighty bikepacking set-up, with a maximum power output approaching 1,300 watts most days.
Riding around 300km a day, the 29-year-old is averaging around 24kmh each day and sleeping in his bivvy bag each night.
On Thursday, Morton completed stage 15's route that finishes in Andorra and then stage 16 that leaves the Principality and returns to France.
He was in the saddle for over 11 hours and climbed a whopping 5,142m of elevation, with a maximum speed of 76.7kmh. His average power output was 131 watts, with a maximum of 972, a very high figure when his luggage is taken into account.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Consistency and maintaining a rhythm is key to Morton's challenge, and the day before he produced similar figures, riding 285km in just over 12 hours, averaging 23.4kmh and averaging 138 watts. More spectacularly, however, is that Morton recorded a maximum power output of 1,258 watts.
Tuesday was Morton's biggest day of the week distance-wise, racking up 306km in 11-and-a-half hours for an average speed of 26.6kmh. Like he would almost mimic exactly the day after, he recorded a maximum power output of 1,259.
He began the week ahead of the peloton and tackled the second ascent of Mont Ventoux before riding south into a predominant headwind.
That didn't disrupt his going too much though, producing a maximum power output of 1,263 and averaging 25.6kmh as he ticked off 297km in a little over 11-and-a-half hours.
Morton is now riding back into the Pyrenees and expects to be in Bordeaux, the site of stage 20's time trial, by the end of the weekend or early next week.
He envisages the transfer between Bordeaux and Paris taking him two days, with his final day on his bike in the French capital likely to be on Wednesday.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
Hexlox anti-theft system for wheels review - is the ‘world’s smallest lock for bike parts’ any good?
This bolt blocking solution from Hexlox is tiny and saves you having to lug around a lock cable to go with your D-lock
By Anna Marie Abram Published
-
What's the optimum pressure for my gravel tyres?
Tyre pressure impacts comfort, grip and speed on gravel - here's how to get it right
By Luke Friend Published
-
Tadej Pogačar skips Disneyland trip as World Championships preparation begins
Pogačar aiming for GP Québec and Montréal double as he makes a return to WorldTour racing in Canada
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tom Pidcock pulls out of Montreal and Quebec GPs with concussion
Brit set to use Canadian double header as final tune up before road World Championships
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Ineos Grenadiers director of racing Steve Cummings left out of all three Grand Tours in 2024
Team’s director of racing will not be included in on the ground Vuelta a España management group
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Mark Cavendish set to end his career at Tour de France Singapore Criterium
Event will be Cavendish's final appearance for Astana Qazaqstan after he won a record-breaking 35th Tour de France stage in July
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Remco Evenepoel in line to race Tour of Britain after Olympics success
Time trial gold medallist could feature for Soudal Quick-Step during six day event in September
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Tadej Pogačar broke 288 Strava KOMs during Tour de France victory
Slovenian won his third Tour title in Nice last weekend, and picked up a host of new trophies on Strava
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Primož Roglič reveals he suffered back fracture in Tour de France crash
Slovenian abandoned race after being caught up in crash on stage 12, Vuelta a España participation now in doubt
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
It's time to stop expecting so much of Ineos Grenadiers at the Tour de France
The British team are always under pressure to match their past best, but it’s not going to happen anytime soon
By Adam Becket Published