Rapha has apologised after the release of its most recent film, which depicts Lachlan Morton’s recent Auckland–Wellington record attempt.
The film, released last Friday, focuses on Brian Fleck, who set a record for cycling between the New Zealand cities in 1983.
But it neglects to mention Brian Lambert who, having first set a record for cycling from Auckland to Wellington in 1982, then broke Fleck’s record in 1984 with a fastest known time of 19 hours and 59 minutes.
Lambert’s record stood for more than 40 years, until Morton beat it by just over an hour and a half in January this year.
People have taken to social media to criticise the portrayal of the record’s history in Rapha’s film, titled Chapter 1: In One Day, prompting Rapha to issue an apology.
Rapha says it focused on Fleck because of the relationship former professional cyclist Hayden McCormick, who is friends with Morton, has with the one-time record holder.
“In this film, we focused on Brian Fleck’s story due to Hayden McCormick's connection with him and his personal memory of that record, however, in hindsight we regret not recognising Brian Lambert’s record-breaking rides and the place he holds in history,” Rapha said in a pinned comment under its Instagram post about the film.
“Challenges like this are life-defining, and we have the utmost respect for all who go out to set them and shape what true human endeavour looks like.
“We would like to sincerely apologise to Brian Lambert’s family, friends, and fellow riders for this omission,” Rapha added.
Brian Lambert’s son was one of those who commented under Rapha’s post about Chapter 1: In One Day.
“Amazing to see my father Brian Lamberts [sic] record take after 40 years,” he said, adding in another comment that he ‘likes’ the part where Fleck mentions Lambert’s record “but fails to mention that it wasn’t his time or record.”
After completing his ride between Auckland and Wellington, Brian Lambert went on to race in long-distance events in New Zealand and internationally. He died in 2022 after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease.
In a statement issued to the press on behalf of his family, James Lambert says the film coincided with the third anniversary of his father’s death.
“We think money made by Rapha from this film through avenues such as YouTube monetisation should be paid to the Parkinson’s Society of New Zealand if the film isn’t to be taken down as it really should be,” the statement reads.
Rapha has been contacted for comment.
