Oceanias 2012 Photos
Photos thanks to Kirsty Kaihau
Stepping up to the elite level is tough
Most of national and local coverage from 2012 Oceania Track Champs has focussed on the likes of the NZ riders and the falling record but for others like Matiu Kaihau, participating at Oceania’s was a tough assignment and at times very daunting having to step up to the elite men level.
Riding against seven world class athletes in the omnium, on an indoor velodrome, is significantly harder than the competition he normally faces at Fielding on a Tuesday night. “I never had aspirations that I was going to win the omnium event but I was really seeking to benchmark myself against other riders and gauge where I’m at”, he said.
Pahiatua Track and Saddle Roads
The ongoing inclement weather continues to make the task of clearing the slip and stabilising the hillside in the Manawatu Gorge extremely difficult. The continuing slips have stretched out the task well beyond the council and contractors original estimates. Our message to cyclist remains in place. For personal safety reasons we are still recommending and encouraging cyclists to avoid using the Pahiatua Track and Saddle Roads as a training route. You will be aware that the men and women’s cycle tour planned for the region in the New Year has been forced to change its route as a result.
For those who regularly read the Manawatu Evening Standard, I noted a one page plea from Fonterra also asking cyclists to avoid using these routes. To me such requests makes a lot of sense when the road offers a negligible verge and it seems pointless increasing the levels of risk to individuals when it’s totally unnecessary. Choose alternative routes and live to ride.
2012 Oceania Track Champs – Video Highlights
Jesse Sergent and Simon van Velthooven, whose cycling pedigree was developed through Bike Manawatu’s founding clubs – Feilding and Marist, are doing exceptionally well at the 2012 Oceania Track Champs, currently being held in Invercargill.
Both Jesse and Simon have collected a number of gold’s between them and they now hold the NZ Individual Pursuit and NZ Kilo record respectively. For Jesse, his performance anchored the NZ Team Pursuit win which also resulted in a new NZ record.
Track Cycling – 22nd November 2011
The strong westerly wind was probably responsible for a field of 33 riders, down from the record 50 of last week. As the night went on the wind eased and the meeting was held in reasonable conditions. We were treated to tight competitive racing, tighter photo finishes and to top it off we had the finesse and flow of team pursuits. One spectator noted that we are privileged to be entertained by such quality sporting theatre and entry is free.