Ten cyclists from Harrogate are in our twin town of Bagnères de Luchon for the annual La Lapébie Cyclosportif event. Raceday is Sunday 13 September 2026 …
… and they have VIP support from Harrogate’s Mayor Cllr Viv Poskitt – herself a keen cyclist!
Photos are coming through!
The racing shirts are looking GREAT !!
The Harrogate Mayor Cllr Viv Poskitt has been up to the finish at Superbagnères.
Riders had to contend with temperatures up to 36 degrees Centigrade on parts of the course.
Emma Dooley (pictured above left) was one of only nine women who completed the full route of 121km and 3,380 metres of ascent. In total, across the three routes, around 600 riders took part.
Well done everybody!
The Harrogate cyclists also said they had received wonderful hospitality throughout their visit, and had enjoyed Luchon “both on and off the bike”.
Team member Rob Beagley said:
“It’s been a fantastic weekend. Luchon is a beautiful place, and it’s an honour to have flown the flag for our wonderful town of Harrogate”
BACKGROUND:
The ten cyclists are from Harrogate NOVA, Harrogate Tri Club, Prologue Junior Racing Team, and the Contrarians of Wheel Easy. They include two 18 year olds, Magnus Denwood and James Beagley, and their fathers Tom and Rob, plus Gary and Emma Dooley, John Dunn, Michael Harrison, Paddy Craig and Will Bellamy.
HIP is most grateful to three local businesses who have, along with HIP itself, generously provided sponsorship for the cycling team. These are Chris Bentley at Hornbeam Park Developments, Aidan Robson of Endless, and Matthew Stamford at Verity Frearson.
The Harrogate mayor, Cllr Viv Poskitt, is travelling (at her own expense) for a civic visit to Luchon from 11 to 14 September, with hopes for a reciprocal visit by the Mayor of Luchon, M Sébastien Denard, to come to Harrogate.
Photographs courtesy of Dennis Richards and Elena Dickson.
Thanks also go to Emma Dooley for her description of the visit.
