The low resolution photograph above is from our 2008 documentary, A Sunday in Hull. In it, Larry catches race winner Russ Downing’s hat and throws it into the crowd. A fond memory of a man ever-present in the British racing scene.
The British cycling community is mourning the loss of one of its most dedicated and beloved figures. Larry Hickmott passed away on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at the age of 65.
For over two decades, Larry was the heartbeat of the UK domestic racing scene. As the founder, photographer, and driving force behind VeloUK, he was a constant presence at start lines and finish lines across the country. Whether it was a freezing winter circuit series at Hillingdon, a mud-soaked cyclocross race in the South West, or the National Road Championships, Larry was there, camera in hand, ready to document the sport he loved.
A Lifetime Dedicated to Grassroots Racing
Larry’s journey in cycling media began in the late 1990s with the creation of EchelonVelo, an early website born out of a desire to learn HTML while covering local races. He later spent time working directly for British Cycling, culminating his tenure there by covering the Para-Cycling World Championships in Italy in 2011. Following that chapter, he launched VeloUK.net, which quickly became an indispensable, daily hub for the British cycling community.
His work ethic was nothing short of legendary. Larry routinely covered anywhere from 50 to 90 race days a year, driving the length and breadth of the country. He maintained the VeloUK website 364 days a year, single-handedly publishing race reports, start lists, live text updates, and thousands of photographs. For many domestic riders, from youth competitors pinning on a number for the very first time to established domestic professionals, a photo or an interview by Larry on VeloUK was a milestone.
The Cycling Community Pays Tribute
Since the news of his passing, there has been an immense outpouring of grief and gratitude from across the cycling world, illustrating just how many lives he touched.
Riders, team managers, and cycling fans have flooded social media and memorial pages to pay their respects to a man who did so much to elevate the sport. Former professional Gordon McCauley reflected on a friendship that spanned decades, writing, “From riding with you as you earned your elite licence at the Hillingdon winter series in ’98… to following me over to Belgium in 2001 to report on my first classic, we’ve been mates.”
Others remembered him not just for his unparalleled coverage, but for his warmth and professionalism on the ground. As cycling photographer Alison Putman noted in her tribute, “He was a great photographer but also a great interviewer, putting riders at ease. Such a huge loss to the cycling scene.”
A Legacy That Cannot Be Replaced
It is difficult to overstate just how important Larry Hickmott was to the visibility and health of the British domestic calendar. During times when mainstream media coverage of local races was scarce, Larry ensured that the hard work and dedication of amateur and domestic elite cyclists never went unnoticed.
He was a champion of the sport at its most foundational level. As many have rightly noted in their tributes this week, Larry leaves behind a legacy and a pair of boots that no single person will ever be able to fill.
Our sincere condolences go out to Larry’s family, his friends, and the thousands of cyclists whose racing lives were enriched by his unrelenting dedication. He will be deeply missed.