And the Track Rider of the Year goes to….

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.

BikeNZ honoured riders at a special function in Christchurch ahead of the national championships. BikeNZ is the umbrella body embracing all national bike and cycling organsations including Road and Track, BMX, Mountainbike and School cycling.

At the awards ceremony BikeNZ CEO, Kieran Turner said “We felt it important to honour our riders who achieve great things in our sport. While we treasure the efforts and performances of all of our riders, as a very young organisation we felt it was now an appropriate time to increase the awareness of these awards,”

“And no doubt we will be looking to add in the other bike disciplines that make up our organisation going forward.

“For a sport our road and track cyclists bat above their weight on the world scene. This year we have a record five riders on the Pro Tour in the men and four in the women. And on the track we have established ourselves as a world class group of riders, coaches and support staff.

“And while we have big plans going forward and it is great to celebrate success at the sharp end of our sport tonight, we are also committed to promote cycling as a fun and healthy form of sport and recreation for the whole family and a great way to get around town.”

Jesse Sergent was voted male track rider of the year. Jesse has had a year with a silver lining – picking up silver medals in the individual pursuit at the world championships in Copenhagen, and the Commonwealth Games along with a silver in Delhi in the team pursuit and bronze as anchor of the team pursuit at the worlds.

Congratulations Jesse from us all at Bike Manawatu.

And I have also heard that Simon van Velthooven gave an interesting insight into the life of a professional keiren racer.

Well done to you both on your efforts over the last year. We hope that your success on your bikes continues this year and well in to the future.