Bike Manawatu riders competing at the Junior Track Omnium champs in Wellington 07.02.21

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.

Bike Manawatu riders competing at the Junior Track Omnium champs in Wellington 07.02.21

A great hit out in Wellington today with a big contingent of Bike Manawatu riders competing at the Junior Track Omnium champs. There was a clean sweep in the 500 ,TT with the U15 boys Ben Murphy, Austin Tunnicliffe and Zach Woollet taking the top three positions, Sophie Peters had a good win in the U15 girls with Kenzey Compton(WCC) coming second. Jack Overweel, Harrison Craw and Wilson Hannon took the top three spots in the U17 boys and Georgia Simpson placed first in the U17 girls. Riley Tunnicliffe won the U19 kilo race well. It was great to see Whanganui’s Cassidy Compton ride away with the win in the U11 girls.

The Omnium was a closely fought battle, with it coming down to the final points race. Austin rode a great tactical race to win the points race and overall Omnium, with Ben Murphy coming second after a gusty comeback after crashing during the points race. It was a great ride by our rookie rider Zach coming third overall.

In the U15 girls, Sophie held out for second place in the omnium with Kenzey Compton just behind in third position. Cassidy Compton continued to dominate in the U11 girls and came away overall winner in her division.

The U17 points race was dominated by Georgia who took a lap on the U17 boys, it was great to watch. Georgia came away with the Omnium win and in the U17 boys, Jack took first, with Wilson in second and Harrison in third. Riley came away with the win in the U19 boys.

A great days racing in some great summer conditions. Fingers crossed that Feilding can show us this weather for next Sundays meeting