The departmental Cycling committee will hold its general meeting on Saturday December 7, in Vals-près-le-Puy. While the board of directors will be renewed on this occasion, president Didier Talobre announces that he will not seek a second term.
Didier Talobre will hand over the baton on December 7. After four years as president of the Haute-Loire Departmental Committee, the former courier will leave his position. With the satisfaction of having structured the committee, particularly on a material level, but with the regret of a still delicate understanding between the clubs of the department. Before electing a successor, it is time to take stock. “I have gone to the end of what I could do, it is time for me to pass the baton. »
The cycling situation
Haute-Loire has 470 licensees this year, a figure down compared to 2023 (530 licensees). There are four “historic” clubs with the Vélo sport Brivadois, the Vélo club du Velay, the Union Cycliste Le Puy-en-Velay and Golène Évasion, all of which have a cycling school. The crampons from Saint-Maurice-de-Lignon and the cyclo group from Montfaucon-en-Velay complete the picture.
Material means
“The committee, created in 1987, was until now lacking resources, which hampered its development,” explains Didier Talobre. We obtained a mini-bus from the Region and a trailer to go to the events. We are also in the process of having a station wagon to follow our riders' road events. All this was necessary to allow our young people to take part in events throughout France. »
The committee has also equipped itself with an electronic timing system costing 21,000 euros which facilitates the organization of events both on the road, in mountain biking or cyclo-cross. “An operator is also trained to intervene in races; it’s a breath of fresh air for the clubs responsible for carrying races. »
Young people's results
The very essence of the committee is to unite the clubs and allow young people to participate in renowned events. “We started from the observation that from the junior ranks, our runners were leaving for structures in other departments because they often offered a more attractive calendar,” explains Didier Talobre. By uniting around the committee, we were able to create emulation like our U17s this season. »
The latter won their ticket for the national final of the Coupe de France on the road; they were able to compete at the high level and reached a new level. These good results from this team under the Haute-Loire committee jersey could not be achieved in all categories, “for lack of sufficient understanding between the clubs”, deplores the current president.
Cycling promotion
Over the past four years, the committee has also invested in developing cycling. The Knowing how to ride a bike system made it possible to intervene via the Education League in colleges, in particular to discuss good behavior and safety on bicycles. Thanks to subsidies from the Department and Générations vélo, a fleet of 35 two-wheelers was acquired as well as two educational crates.
The departmental committee was also involved in the P'tit tour à vélo, an event for primary school pupils which allows the youngest to discover this means of transport. The committee was also a partner in the implementation of the departmental cycle plan, with road loops and current work on gravel.
Practical. General meeting of the departmental cycling committee, Saturday December 7 at 9 a.m., at Crédit Agricole in Vals-près-le-Puy.
Christophe Darne
