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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| World cyclist nears finish line | World cyclist nears finish line |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| A British cyclist hoping to become the fastest person to cycle around the world is entering the final stages of his challenge. | A British cyclist hoping to become the fastest person to cycle around the world is entering the final stages of his challenge. |
| Mark Beaumont, 25, from Fife, aims to smash the record when he arrives in Paris on Friday afternoon. He is currently about 60 miles away. | |
| He set off from the French capital on 5 August 2007. | He set off from the French capital on 5 August 2007. |
| He will have cycled 18,000 miles in 195 days. The current record - by Steven Strange from Devon - is 276 days. | He will have cycled 18,000 miles in 195 days. The current record - by Steven Strange from Devon - is 276 days. |
| During his seven-month journey Mr Beaumont has passed through 20 countries including Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. | During his seven-month journey Mr Beaumont has passed through 20 countries including Pakistan, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand and the United States. |
| His solo journey has been dramatic at times - he has endured floods and road rage, and was knocked off his bike in the American state of Louisiana by an elderly motorist who drove through a red light. | His solo journey has been dramatic at times - he has endured floods and road rage, and was knocked off his bike in the American state of Louisiana by an elderly motorist who drove through a red light. |
| Mr Beaumont also had his wallet and camera stolen from a motel. | Mr Beaumont also had his wallet and camera stolen from a motel. |
| Before the trip the cyclist, who is originally from Bridge of Cally in Perthshire but now lives in Fife, said he was looking forward to having the "experience of a lifetime". | Before the trip the cyclist, who is originally from Bridge of Cally in Perthshire but now lives in Fife, said he was looking forward to having the "experience of a lifetime". |
| His mother Una will be in Paris, as will his two sisters, one of whom has travelled from Singapore to see him complete the challenge. | His mother Una will be in Paris, as will his two sisters, one of whom has travelled from Singapore to see him complete the challenge. |
| Mark Beaumont has endured floods, road rage and a burglary | Mark Beaumont has endured floods, road rage and a burglary |
| His mother has been co-ordinating his trip - paving the way with embassies, arranging flights, dealing with the media, organising transport and making sure his bike was serviced. | His mother has been co-ordinating his trip - paving the way with embassies, arranging flights, dealing with the media, organising transport and making sure his bike was serviced. |
| Speaking from Paris, she told the BBC Scotland News website he was determined to beat the record. | Speaking from Paris, she told the BBC Scotland News website he was determined to beat the record. |
| She said: "It's been his focus to be the first and the fastest, and that has definitely helped him through all the challenges and it will mean a huge amount. | She said: "It's been his focus to be the first and the fastest, and that has definitely helped him through all the challenges and it will mean a huge amount. |
| "I believe that it'll be his for a very long time because it'll take another very special person to do what Mark's done. | "I believe that it'll be his for a very long time because it'll take another very special person to do what Mark's done. |
| "I'm just thrilled for him, that after all his dreaming that he's realising his dream." | "I'm just thrilled for him, that after all his dreaming that he's realising his dream." |
| Guinness World Records spokeswoman Amarilis Espinoza said they were aware of Mr Beaumont's attempt. | Guinness World Records spokeswoman Amarilis Espinoza said they were aware of Mr Beaumont's attempt. |
| "We are very excited for Mark to be arriving in Paris on Friday," she said. | "We are very excited for Mark to be arriving in Paris on Friday," she said. |
| "We will be reviewing documentation from him and our researchers will go through the paperwork, but it has been logged as an official attempt and it seems everything is in order." | "We will be reviewing documentation from him and our researchers will go through the paperwork, but it has been logged as an official attempt and it seems everything is in order." |