Kevin Belmarke of Hagens Berman Axiom completed the Everest Challenge, an outdoor event held in Orange County, California, on Thursday, climbing Everest's 8,848 meters in 8 hours, 19 minutes, and 26 seconds.

The 19-year-old is one of many elite riders who have taken on the Everest Challenge in recent weeks. Trek-Segafredo's Giulio Ciccone accomplished the feat in April on his home trainer on the Zwift training platform, while Bahrain McLaren's Mark Cavendish and Team Ineos' Luke Rowe did the same earlier this month. Emmanuel Buchmann of Bora-Hansgrohe, who finished fourth in last year's Tour de France, will also attempt the outdoor race in Germany later this month.

Some speculated before his attempt whether Vermaquet could beat retired pro rider Phil Guymon's unofficial record of 7:52:12 (set just Monday at Topanga State Park near Los Angeles). Vermerke was one step closer, apparently having set the second-fastest time on record, but he has no intention of trying again anytime soon.

"My definition of hard has been redefined," he captioned his ride statistics on Strava. Vermaquet climbed 8,859.6 meters (29,067 feet) in 8 minutes, 19.26 seconds, and repeatedly climbed and descended sections of Ridgeline Road near Lake Forest in Southern California, covering 156.3 km (97.13 miles), averaging 262 watts of power and 8,763 calories burned.

"Finished the race," Vermerke wrote on Twitter Thursday evening. 'Thanks to everyone who followed me on my journey today. It was the hardest thing I've ever done.

"Also, that was enough climbing for a while. I'm going to ask Axel Merckx, Jeff Lauder, and Koos Mollenhout if we can only do flat races from now on," he added, naming the sport director of Hagens Berman Aktion.

Team manager Merckx (Eddie's son) quickly replied.

"You've proven you can climb all day," he said. From now on only run races with lots of hills!"