There is a chorus of confused, heartbroken messages filling cycling pages around the world. Richard Moore is no longer with us, and we are all coming to terms with the loss of a genuine force of broadcasting and storytelling.

 

– A tribute by Rob Arnold

 

“Leader, lynchpin, friend and brother.” Richard Moore was all that and more. He was a unifying figure in a disparate world, someone who could raise a smile at the most stressful of times and find humour in the most awkward of situations.

He was a cyclist before he became a journalist, broadcaster and author and he loved the role he was born to play.

Richard Moore’s knowledge of the sport he loved was incredible and what made him such a dominant figure in the press room for so many years was how welcoming he was to all around him.

Make no mistake, there is a competitive spirit that lives in the mayhem of a bike race and it’s not just the riders battling against one another in the hope of a win. In the cycling media game pride is on the line as professionals from around the world try to convey the complexity, beauty – and, sometimes, the stupidity – of this thing we love so dearly. But, believe me, that doesn’t mean that it is always each man for themselves.

There is cooperation and admiration amongst the many who write or talk about cycling in the quest to share details of the many intricacies of racing. And Richard Moore had the kind of personality and drive and knowledge to bring many in and keep them captivated by the action and the machinations of bike racing. He was passionate about his work and able to explain situations that were complex, and he did so in a manner and tone that made it easy to understand.

A flood of anecdotes come to mind when I think of the many years – and numerous bike races – where we would meet. It seemed to me that he would be in the press room forever, soaking up the atmosphere and relaying that to a legion of listeners and readers who not only became fans of his work, but felt as though they had found a friend because of his personable nature and willingness to listen as well as talk.

The outpouring of emotion that has come with news of Richard’s passing is significant but many among us are still grappling with the news and struggling to find the words to explain how spirited and amiable he was. There are many others like me who are simply lost in thought as they consider the good times that were shared because of a mutual love of our sport and all the shenanigans that are part of the pro cycling caper.

 

 

“He was a force of nature,” says the tribute from The Cycling Podcast, a portal that became a go-to for many who wanted to know more about cycling and, more precisely, what it was that Richard Moore saw in a bike race. He drew us in with his friendly voice and kept us listening or reading thanks to his knowledge, understanding and way with words. When it came to cycling, he could talk forever and still not explain all he was thinking.

“There can be no consolation today,” reads the note, “but the closest thing is knowing that the network of affection and love he knitted will now become an edifice of support for those most deeply affected by his loss.”

The news has prompted a reconnection for many in the cycling media. It’s not as easy to travel as it once was and it’s with great sadness that the reunions that were so much part of every year stopped because of the pandemic. But friendships endure and it always seemed as though the time would come when another grand dinner would be arranged, and another bout of stories shared. That time will come but there’ll now be a huge void at the table.

Richard Moore belonged in the cycling world, and he cherished every opportunity to do work that he loved. He also had a competitive spirit but that didn’t taint the way he liaised with others; he was always willing to share information or lend a helping hand in media scrum which had the potential to be combative but with his presence he made it seem fun. He was willing to share his views, even with so-called ‘rivals’ in the media – many of whom are actually friends – and it was only natural to return the favour if it was ever called for.

We worked in the same space for years but never on the same payroll, and yet Richard Moore felt like a colleague to me and many others from around the world.

No matter what language was spoken or what nationalities were represented in the scrum, he was an obliging, considerate and kind companion who had a quick wit, a cheeky grin and an infectious laugh.

There is a reason for the popularity of The Cycling Podcast: it lures people in and explains something complicated, and the Master of Ceremonies always made sure there was one anecdote or nugget of information that made listeners feel as though they understood things better than before he had spoken.

The uplifting accent combined with amazing knowledge and insight that can only be gained from never believing he knew it all, all contributed to making The Cycling Podcast what is today, a portal that entertains and informs in equal doses. And although the voice has fallen silent, the memories remain thanks to his enormous legacy.

 

Richard, I know how often you lifted the mood of the room and found humour in the strangest of places. I’m grateful for the dinners we shared and the stories I heard you tell in such unique and interesting way.

I’m devastated that our mate is no longer with us, and I send my condolences to his family and friends at this enormously difficult time. To Lionel, Daniel, François, Orla and the many others who collaborated with Richard on his many projects, my thoughts are with you as you try to digest the news and consider how to manage the next broadcast, and the many more that are still to come.

There’ll always be another bike race, another story to be told, another anecdote to share but it won’t be the same now.

We salute you, Richard. Your voice will continue to echo around the cycling world for years to come but right now, we are in mourning knowing how pissed off you’d be that you didn’t get to share the story that was building in your mind about the last bike race, or the next one.

 

– By Rob Arnold