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news
Sean ConwaySean Conway abandons Guinness World Record attempt through injury
Sean Conway has had to call a halt to his attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for cycling across Europe from west to east due to a torn muscle.
> Sean Conway begins cycling across Europe record attempt
The Zimbabwe-born adventurer, now based in the Lake District, had been planning to undertake the 4,500-mile ride in 24 days or fewer.
However, he had to abandon through injury after 800 miles as he headed into the Pyrenees.
In a statement released via sponsor Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance, he said: “It’s with a very heavy heart that I have decided to withdraw from my World Record Cycle attempt due to injury.
"I have not taken this decision lightly and don’t deal very well with failing at challenges however I just do not feel that I will be able to give this record the power I need to break the impressive new record set recently by Jonas Deichmann.
“For now, I’m sorry that I’ve not been able to carry on and wish to thank everyone who has supported this project.
"Needless to say I’m now going to take some time out to recover as quickly as possible before I announce my next challenge.
"It’s such a tough decision to admit defeat and I am gutted however, I will take this time to rebuild my strength and come back stronger.
"It goes without saying that, all being well, I will be back to give this another shot next year.”
Yellow Jersey Cycle Insurance director Ryan Georgiades added: “We’re gutted for Sean. It’s so tough having to call time on a dream but we know he will be back and we’re looking forward to supporting him moving forward on his next adventure.”
Simon joined road.cc as news editor in 2009 and is now the site’s community editor, acting as a link between the team producing the content and our readers. A law and languages graduate, published translator and former retail analyst, he has reported on issues as diverse as cycling-related court cases, anti-doping investigations, the latest developments in the bike industry and the sport’s biggest races. Now back in London full-time after 15 years living in Oxford and Cambridge, he loves cycling along the Thames but misses having his former riding buddy, Elodie the miniature schnauzer, in the basket in front of him.
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13 comments
Why does everyone feel "gutted" when anything happens?
For the same reason everyone is 'devastated' after any minor inconvenience.
Because he has trained hard for years towards this goal, and committed considerable resources to it, but not been able to complete it. He's risked a considerable amount to attain a goal, and not been able to complete the journey, let alone achieve the goal. Or were you querying the etymological basis of a colloquial 'eviscerated'?
don't worry about recovering quickly Sean, recover fully! Looking forward to your future exploits.
800 miles is pretty good in its own right. Hope he has another go and completes it. I'm all in favour of people trying things, win or lose.
But - does he shave his legs?
No he dosen't
conway.JPG
Gotta feel for him - must have put a lot into preparing for this.
I'm a little sad that the first three comments on here seem to be pretty much poking fun at the guy 
I totally agree that any of these ultra endurance round-the-world people are in a whole different level of fitness than pretty much anyone who comments on here, and deserve a huge round of applause. Seriously.
(On the other hand, these races really takes it out of you: you know he's only twenty, right?
)
I would imagine most people on here have had to face disappointment when plans for our own - less ambitious - personal challenges have ended badly. So, there is sympathy for sure. But he does have a very, very silly beard.
I must admit I don't even know what the record stands at, but I do wish him well in shaving something off.
It's tough for him. You have to be sure you are in peak physical condition with no injuries for the full duration of the ride.
I hope he can come back stronger and have a real good crack at the record.
May I suggest our hero sets his sights on the Olympic Hide and Seek event? He appears to have already made a head start on the competition.
Beard sprain
Facial muscle injuries caused by beard caught in spokes?