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BikeManawatu riders the backbone of the National Development Squads

by | Sep 26, 2013 | Archive(News)

Next year’s Bike NZ National Junior Development Squads were named this week. Once again, riders from the Manawatu make up the largest proportion of the 40 selected riders of any region in the country.

National champion Michaela Drummond is joined in the under 17 girls squad by Emily Shearman and Libby Arbuckle. The three boys in last year’s under 17 squad, Campbell Stewart, Robert Stannard, and Chris Denholm, were again selected after dominating the national racing scene this year against riders a year older. Elizabeth Stannard was the only Manawatu rider selected in the under 19 Women’s Development Squad. In what must have been a dilemma for selectors because of the depth of talent in the under 19 Mens category, 2013 National Champ Alex West now joins last year’s squad member and NZ representative Luke Mudgway in the team.

The first training camp is next month at Cambridge followed by subsequent events at the National Criterium Championships in Auckland in November. All National squad members will then travel to the Manawatu for the Novice Tour.

Seasons come and seasons go…

by | Sep 26, 2013 | Board Chair's Blog

Seasons come and Seasons go , some things change….and other things just keep getting better.

Here we are in the midst of spring after what has been a record winter for all the right reasons. Perfect for riding bikes.

And the mighty Bike Manawatu machines rolls on. Just to recap on recent to-ings and fro-ings.

A very pleasant evening was had last month for the annual Bike Manawatu Awards at the Hotel Coachman a generous sponsor and supporter of Bike Manawatu. With the help of compere Russell Harris it was enthralling to see an insight into the makings of Colin Anderson a truly remarkable person who does remarkable things on a bike. Colin has had an enforced spell since his Taupo odyssey but we expect to see him back on his bike again soon. It was also gratifying to see the various winners of awards made to people who do go beyond the call of duty in their contribution to the workings of the club. Well done once again to the worthy winners.

That evening we also presented our nine National Champions with specially made BM jerseys that had the wording of ‘NZ National Champion’ inscribed on to the sleeves. The jerseys looked great and the “ champions” wore them with pride. Let’s hope that the Board finds the need to print many more jerseys like these in years to come and that the jerseys become treasured items.

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