The team announces a partnership with city of Lourdes lasting through 2024.
The city, situated in southwest France in the foothills of the Pyrenees, will be used as a base for training camps and preparation for regional races.
Lourdes is close to more than 15 climbs in the region, accessible by bike. Away from sport, the city is also world-famous as a pilgrimage site and has a rich history dating back to antiquity. The team will enjoy top-notch accommodations in the city and endless options for training.
“The Pyrenees are a beautiful place to train,” says French champion Audrey Cordon-Ragot. “Lourdes is the perfect place for this because you can get to almost every big climb easily from the city. I love to explore the city when I have rest days, making it the ideal base for physical and mental preparation.”
The team held its first camp in Lourdes this week, reconning crucial parts of this year’s Tour de France Femmes like the category one Col d’Aspin and HC Col du Tourmalet.
“Lourdes is a fantastic cycling destination and one of the most magnificent places to ride a bike,” said Human Powered Health Cycling’s partnership marketing manager, Pat Lemieux. “We’re excited for our team to have Lourdes as a base for training. We look forward to seeing this partnership come alive.”
The team has been in Lourdes ahead of the three-day CIC Tour Féminin International des Pyrénées, starting June 9.
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- Malcotti climbs the Tourmalet.
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- Buijsman meets the local wildlife on the Col d’Aspin.
“We are delighted and proud of this partnership,” said Laurent Ponzo, director of development and marketing for the Lourdes Tourist Office. “It’s always an event to welcome sports teams to Lourdes. It’s important to us that these teams feel welcome and find everything they need here to practice their sport to the fullest.”
Lourdes and Human Powered Health’s values align. The team’s platform for better living via its “four pillars” approach – movement, fuel, mindset, and recovery – was a draw for the city’s tourism office.
“We value the promotion of women’s sport in particular and caring for the well-being of each individual, whether it’s their body, mind or spirit. Lourdes is an ideal base camp for this. We hope that the women here, and the rest of the team someday will feel at home.”
Learn more about Lourdes or see the region for yourself by tuning in to this week’s Tour Féminin Pyrénées, live on GCN+ from June 9–11.
