2020 Track Cycling Communique #1

Despite the current ‘cost of living challenges’ facing all community events, Bike Manawatu is 100% committed to ensuring the 51st year of the Novice Tour – once again provides a safe, fun, competitive cycle racing event.

We will adopt a high-quality assured approach in implementing the Local Roading Authority’s/Cycling New Zealand’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) standards which ensure best practices and rider and spectator safety.

If the level of community funding secured is not sufficient to contract in external road management service providers with the ability to stop/go traffic, the Novice Tour will proceed on a ‘local club racing’ model, whereby our team of trained/experienced road marshals will, where necessary, pause racing in order to give way to traffic and ensure rider safety.

Although funding external road management services with the ability to stop/go traffic is ideal, if this is not feasible – we are confident that the event’s ‘Safe Traffic Management System’ (STMS) will provide a competitive, fair, enjoyable and importantly safe racing environment.

Irrespective of which model of traffic management/racing is finalised, as with all CNZ/Bike Manawatu events, normal road rules will apply and a full rider briefing confirming the event rules will be provided to all riders prior to the start of each race.

Notice to all trackies…….

Whether you’re a current trackie, a past trackie or even a junior rider that doesn’t yet know they’re a trackie – here is some info for the 2020 season.

● Elite and Under 19 Track Nationals including Omnium 22th – 26th Jan in Cambridge

● Age Group and Master’s Track Nationals 4^th – 8^th Mar in Invercargill.

To be entered in the NZ Track Nationals you must be a member of a Cycling Club that has an affiliation with the West Coast North Island Cycling Centre and meet some qualifying criteria. You will be riding for the WCNI centre. Selectors for our centre are

● Grant Wilson Taranaki grantw@taranakieng.co.nz

● Dave Hoskin Manawatu dave@aec1989.co.nz

● Nick Spark Horowhenua (Convenor) nickspark@xtra.co.nz

Selectors will be present at most Club and Centre events to observe riders but more importantly, be available to answer questions, and generally assist with the process. The table below displays the qualifying times for each event and describes the limitations we have in numbers attending etc. This may seem a little confusing right now, but it will become clear as the season progresses. I have listed below bullets points of some important facts/requests.

● It would be helpful if each Club could appoint a single person to be their point of contact for communications etc. (Advise the selectors).

● Club reps should be someone who can actively encourage participation in track riding and selection for Nationals.

● All riders must register their interest as a Nationals contender with the convenor of selectors. See attached.

● All track carnivals and training should be done on your gearing for your 2020 grade. Even if an event is run in 2019, we are targeting selection for 2020 but be sure to study the fine print of events run outside WCNI.

● Selectors will be present at all Club carnivals and WCNI track champs, so it is important that you, as riders, attend these events to get noticed.

● Qualifying time from outside events can be submitting but please let the selectors know where and when you achieved such times. Selectors can only use correctly recorded times from 3 stop watches and which have been signed off by a commissaire or published at events using electronic timing equipment.

It is a little frustrating for all of us that qualifying times are based on riding indoors, so riders are encouraged to attend events at the Cambridge Avantidrome. Waikato Bay of Plenty Centre Champs (held 13^th – 15th December 2019) is a good opportunity to hit your times and get some good racing.

Please be reminded that the selectors are motivated to get as many riders as possible to Nationals not chop riders or make it difficult to achieve selection. Any queries, please ask.

Selection Criteria/ Qualification Times

Listed below are the maximum number of riders the Centre can enter per event, together with Time Qualification standards where appropriate.

Selections for the Scratch and Points Race across the Age Groups are not limited but riders will need to demonstrate at the Centre championships that they are at a level of ability to be competitive at the National Championships. Other contested events eg; Keirin, where there are limited spots available will be selected by rider placing at the Centre Track Championships, with the top riders gaining entry sequentially up to the permitted number of places. Qualifying times that are recorded outside of the Centre Championships should be posted within the previous six months and signed off by a Cycling New Zealand official, eg; Commissaire Timed Events – All riders who match the Time Qualification (TQ’s) are permitted entry if selected by their Centre (no limit). If the number of TQ’s exceed the noted number, then no Non-TQ’s are permitted. If the number of TQ’s are less than the noted number, then the remaining places can be filled by non-TQ’s.

Qualifying Criteria 2020

Important Events to attend.

24^th Nov Levin Track Carnival incl WCNI Point Race Championship.

6^th – 8^th Dec UCI World Cup Cambridge

13^th – 15^th Dec Waikato BOP Centre Championship Cambridge.

11^th Jan WCNI Centre Championship. Wanganui

22^nd – 26^th Jan Elite and Under 19 Track Nationals

Taranaki Track Carnival TBC

16^th Feb Laykold Cup Wellington

22^th Feb Rivercity Wheel Race, Wanganui

4^th – 8^th Masters and Age Group and Masters Track Nationals.

Finally, let’s all look forward to a great season of track riding and clubs will be canvassed for their rider’s names and details in due course.

Kind regards,

Nick Spark

Convenor of Selectors

027 485 3632