Lidl Trek's Jonathan Milan smashes world record - Sprinter hits new heights after previously beating Filippo Ganna's benchmark
Cycling
Jonathan Milan has smashed a new world record, beating his own record at the Track World Championships in Shanghai. The Lidl-Trek sprinter has become the first rider ever to break 3:59 in the individual pursuit event.
The Italian powerhouse qualified for the final on Friday after recording an incredible 3:58.851 in qualifying. He previously set the world record two years ago at the World Championships in Denmark.
The new record is particularly impressive given the 26-year-old did so at low altitude, with the veledrome in Shanghai close to sea level. At higher altitudes, track riders can benefit from the lower air density - contributing to increased aerodynamic gains when riding against the clock.
The individual pursuit is all about fine margins as the event involves athletes taking in 16 laps of a 250m track, making up 4 kilometers from a standing start.
Jonathan Milan is the Italian champion on the road
Milan takes another record as riders push the limits
The Italian is now favourite to take gold in the event, he faces Danish rider Frederik Madsen in the final later on Firday. Madsen himself qualified in 3:59.979 as he became just the fifth rider to ever break four minutes in the event.
Filippo Ganna was the rider to push the envelope in 2022 and 2020, breaking the world record four times. He did it three times between 2019 and 2020 before a 3:59.636. Before that, Ashton Lambie was the first to break the four-minute mark in 2021 with a time of 3:59.930.
Milan took the record for the first time two years ago, his 3:59.153 time on that occasion has been firmly blown out of the water as he put over 0.3 seconds into his best-ever effort. The new benchmark means that the record has been broken eight times in the past seven years.
Eight new world records in just seven years
| Time | Rider | Date |
| 4:04.252 | Filippo Ganna (ITA) | 3 November, 2019 |
| 4:02.647 | Filippo Ganna (ITA) | 3 November, 2019 |
| 4:01.934 | Filippo Ganna (ITA) | 28 February, 2020 |
| 3:59.930 | Ashton Lambie (USA) | 18 August, 2021 |
| 3:59.636 | Filippo Ganna (ITA) | 14 October, 2022 |
| 3:59.304 | Josh Charlton (GBR) | 18 October, 2024 |
| 3:59.153 | Jonathan Milan (ITA) | 18 October, 2024 |
| 3:58.850 | Jonathan Milan (ITA) | 16 October ,2026 |
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
claps 0visitors 0
Just in
Popular news
Latest comments
- Dumb?! Only you!MajorPayne16-10-2026
- Let’s hope it stays in!Lozza16-10-2026
- The words... “Remco, on certain days, will just destroy everyone”... don't hold water. Not EVERYONE, most of them, it all depends on the quality of the riders.PogiSloFans16-10-2026
- "The Tour remains at the centre of Simmons' plans". as long as this is the plan, it is unlikely he will succeed. First his team is stacked with leaders for all terrains so opportunity is less. 2nd the TDF is stacked with other top leaders who have more freedom. 3rd the battle between UAE, Visma, Red Bull is so intense that their leaders will win most of the stages with heir team pulling back most breaks.abstractengineer16-10-2026
- Quinn Simmons: “Maybe I’ll never reach the top level.” I also hope he doesn't. I don't care what he looks like, his religion or sexual preference... but when he's a rascist against black people, a Maga Trump voter, that's where I pull the line. The whole world hates Trump, we all know why, but he keeps voting for him. A person that thinks like Trump is ...????. Make your own decision. PS: Trek-Segafredo (today Lidl Trek) suspended him following the controversy over his pro-Trump comments and his use of a dark-skinned waving-hand emoji. The team said the suspension concerned his racist conduct online, not his political views themselves.PogiSloFans16-10-2026
- Denmarks coach reveals 2027 Rainbow Jersey has been targeted by Jonas for years !?!?!? PS: What??? No one believes this meaningless babbling. It's like saying: "The 2027 Monument - Il Lombardia has been targeted by Jonas for years."PogiSloFans16-10-2026
- I made a mistake and already fixed it. Hey twat, thanks.PogiSloFans16-10-2026
- Davide Piganzoli said: "Pogacar looked less brilliant at TDF than usual." We all see how stupid this comment is. What is happening to his brain cells? ... Hey Piganzoli, Tadej Pogačar’s record breaking ascent of Alpe d’Huez was one of the standout performances in the history of the Tour de France. Pantani's 1995 ascent stood for 31 years. Pogi went more than a minute faster. He accelerated near the foot of the climb, despite the leading breakaway being around three and a half minutes ahead. But in your delusional brain Pogi looked less brilliant???? .... Why don't you go find a corner and bang your head against a wall for about 10 minutes. Everyone is making fun of you.PogiSloFans16-10-2026
- MTB WC ? If he doesnt compete maybe allows MvDP to have a crack
Davide16-10-2026 - Jonas is declining now. A podium next year would be a good result for him.Renz16-10-2026
Loading
Write a comment