New World Record For Fastest Wheelie Set At 343.27kmph

Dutch rider Egbert Van Popta has set the new record for the fastest wheelie at 343.27kmph (213.3mph)

Breaking the 337.64kmph (209.8mph) record of fastest wheelie on a motorcycle, a Dutch rider by the name of Egbert Van Popta has set the new record at 343.27kmph (213.3mph). The previous record was set by Liverpool's Gary Rothwell last year. Popta was riding a fully customised, turbocharged Suzuki Hayabusa for the Motorcycle Wheelie World Championship event which was held at Elvington Airfield, North Yorkshire.

It was the 11th edition of the annual Motorcycle Wheelie World Championship, where participants battle to break the wheelie speed record. To qualify for the attempt, competitors have to complete a full kilometre on the rear wheel and the fastest exit speed is recorded to mark the winner. There were around 40 other riders in the competition from different countries including the UK, France, Holland, Ireland and the USA, and 15 of them successfully completed a kilometre wheelie run.

In the first attempt, Egbert stunned the crowd with a run at 345.476kmph (214.669mph) but the front wheel got down before crossing the finish line. However, he didn't disappoint the public in the second attempt with 213.309mph to set the new motorcycle wheelie world record. A huge cheer went up from the crowd for the previous record holder Gary on his return to the pits and he recorded the second fastest speed on the exit at 331.6kmph (206.049mph).