Robert Marchand is the living proof that being a centenarian does not mean one should give up on their dreams – or physical strength.  The 105-year-old French cyclist just peddled 22.547 kilometers in one hour, setting a new world record in the 105-plus age category, which was created specifically for the indefatigable senior.

At the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines velodrome outside Paris, a venue designated for the elites of track cycling, crowds cheered for his athletic feat, but Marchand said he could have done better – though not as good as his performance in 2012 when, at 100 years old, he managed 26.927 kilometers in one hour.

"I did not see the sign warning me I had 10 minutes left," Marchand said. "Otherwise I would have gone faster, I would have posted a better time. I'm now waiting for a rival."

Marchand was born in 1911, and after retiring in the 1960s, he began training as a cyclist.

Since the age of 68, he kept on riding every day on his home-trainer and put himself through outdoor training sessions whenever the weather permits.

His friend and coach Gerard Mistler, divulged the secret behind Marchand's longevity, saying the ingredients for a long lifespan lie in eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, refraining from smoking, having an occasional glass of wine and exercising on a daily basis.