Samuel Shaw has broken the record for the fastest known time between Auckland and Wellington in New Zealand, covering the 638 kilometres in 17 hours and 21 minutes.
The mountain biker finished on Monday evening (New Zealand time) and his time beat the previous FKT of 18 hours, 26 minutes set in February 2025 by Lachlan Morton, making Shaw the first rider to crack the challenge in under 18 hours.
According to Strava, Shaw completed the ride with an average speed of 36.8kph and a weighted average power of 277 watts.
Morton's attempt at the record, which was completed last year, was the inspiration for Shaw's ride.
Morton's ride was documented in a YouTube video by Rapha, the then clothing sponsor of his EF Education pro team. But that video caused controversy by concentrating on Brian Fleck, who held the record between 1983 and 1984, when it was taken back by the previous record holder, Brian Lambert.
There was no mention in the video of Lambert, whose record stood for 41 years, prompting Rapha to issue an apology to the family of Lambert, who died of Parkinson’s Disease in 2022. His family accused Rapha of a 'false narrative' in the video.
Congratulated by Lambert's son
Brian Lambert’s son, James, congratulated Shaw on the new record, which has yet to be ratified by Cycling New Zealand.
“Brilliant ride. And smashed through the magical 18 hour mark our father went on and on about being possible for years,” he said.
“Our family congratulates Sam on a truly exceptional effort. The Auckland to Wellington has a long and evolving history and it’s good to see it continue to be taken on with ambition and respect for the challenge.”
Meanwhile, Morton’s FKT for the 14,200km ride around the perimeter of Australia, set in October 2024, still stands, while Rapha has announced it will cease to clothe EF Education's male and female teams at the end of 2025, moving on as the new kit sponsor for USA Cycling.
