Richard Moore plaque unveiled at West Lothian track as cycling world record holder leads tributes

It was the day the Tour de France took an unscheduled diversion via Linlithgow – or at least it felt like it.

Around 100 family, friends, colleagues and admirers of Richard Moore gathered at the West Lothian Cycle Circuit two weekends ago as a bend of the track was named in honour of the late sports journalist, author and former Scottish international cyclist.

Mark Beaumont, holder of the record time for cycling around the world, and Richard’s father Brian unveiled a plaque designed by American ceramicist Stacy Snyder marking the “Buffalo Bend”.

The plaque, at the "Buffalo Bend", designed by American ceramicist Stacy Snyder.

It takes its name after the nickname given to Richard by colleagues at the Cycling Podcast, which he co-founded in 2013. This referenced his ability to get the job done no matter the obstacles in his way.

Beaumont said he took inspiration from Richard as he completed his marathon circuit of the globe by bike in 2017. He added that he was the only journalist he regularly checked in with - "from China, Alaska and the Outback”.

Richard, who passed away in March 2022 aged 48, covered several editions of Tour de France for The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday. He should have been reporting on the finale of this year's race for these newspapers and for the Cycling Podcast, which donated to the construction of the West Lothian Cycling Circuit. He ought to have been enthusing about Slovenian rider Tadej Pogacar's third title win. However, on the same weekend in West Lothian, Richard's memory was being honoured instead.

Friend and Cycling Podcast colleague Lionel Birnie said his absence will always be felt in the Tour de France press room and elsewhere, adding: “The Buffalo Bend marks the convergence of three things – Richard’s passion for cycling, his pride in Scotland and his support of young cyclists".