La Galanaise – Pierre Labat: success confirmed by the cyclists

The friendly and warm welcome, the moment of relaxation and the meal upon returning from the hike, the variety of routes and, obviously, the different levels of difficulty offered as well as the quality of the landscapes, all these elements make this Cycling tour enjoys growing success from year to year. From now on, the name of Pierre Labat is associated with him. Pierre Labat, who died last year, was one of the fervent promoters of the event, he took a very active part in the five editions he attended. Also, this meeting of cycle tourists is now called “La Galanaise – Souvenir Pierre-Labat”. For this seventh edition, while the rain, which fell from night until dawn, could raise fears of some renunciations which, undoubtedly, took place, there were nevertheless more than a hundred valiant cycling lovers, rewarded by the morning sun , to set off towards the demanding roads of the Baronnies or those around Galan for the less experienced. Of the four routes proposed, from 48 km to 86 km, it is the longest and also the most difficult which was chosen by the greatest number of cyclists. By all accounts, it was a choice they did not regret because the painful moments they had to face, but they liked it, were largely compensated by the beauty of the sites they allowed them to discover.

The rewarded

It is clearly announced by the organizers that this hike has no competitive character; however, this does not prevent certain participants from being highlighted. It is also a reason, which adds to the others, to understand the success of this day dedicated to cycling. Eight distinctions were awarded this year: Paulette Laforest for the title of oldest competitor; Guy Estingoy as the oldest contestant; at the other end of the ages, Elsa Moulinas (9 years old) and Romain Dubosc (soon to be 12 years old) received the gift intended for the youngest; the Durou family, from Agen, received the medal for the most distant participants, it should be noted that this family has been present for several editions; the cup for the most loyal club was awarded to the Montréjeau cyclos; that of the most represented club was attributed to the neighbors of Trie; finally, the welcome reward for a first participation of a club went to that of Odos. This ceremony, without protocol, was the last act of a beautiful day.