Campbell Stewart Impresses in World Champs Debut

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.

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Bike Manawatu teenage rising star Campbell Stewart gave a hint of his prodigious future with a close fifth placing in the Omnium on the penultimate day of the UCI track cycling world championships in the Netherlands. A double junior world champion who was having his first venture into the gruelling four event Omnium that comprises a scratch race, tempo sprint race, elimination race, and points race. “It was a pretty cool experience with all the top guys there” Campbell said.

The fact is Campbell was the youngest in the field of the best older seasoned riders in the world.

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Michaela Drummonds women’s pursuit team we shut out of a place in the gold medal round. Their time meant they finished 6th fastest to miss out on a bronze medal ride. Michaela also teamed up and raced with Racquel Sheath in a hectic high speed madison to finish a credible 13th.

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Jordan Castle was placed second in both his Keirin races, the first round and repechage, pipped in a sprint finish for a place in the semi final.

Stewart and Drummond Third consecutive Sports Manawatu Titles.

The prestigious Sports Manawatu awards was an amazing evening of the who’s who in Manawatu sport where Motorsport ace Brendon Hartley was named supreme winner. Bike Manawatu was well represented with nominations for Emily Shearman, Libby Arbuckle, Michaela Drummond and Campbell Stewart. The later taking out junior sportswoman and sportsman completing a brilliant result for both. Watch out for both in the upcoming Commonwealth Games in the Gold Coast.

Age group National Track Championships

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Thursday the 8th to Sunday 11th March

Bike Manawatu wish to extend all the very best of luck to our age group national track riders who have travelled south to the Invercargill Velodrome. This will be a busy programme for everyone and an event to keep an eye out on. Check out results on www.cyclingnewzealand.nz

Sunday Recreational Group Rides Popular

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The weather this summer has been fantastic and our Sunday group rides have been well supported by regular riders and newbies. 8am on Sunday at memorial park we yet again saw over fifty members enjoy our Bike Manawatu ride touring through the beautiful Manawatu countryside finishing off with a coffee.

Kairanga Time Trial Results

The Kairanga Time Trial series has been hotly contested over the summer and we say well done to everyone who competed in this week’s gusty conditions. Challenging conditions and cross-winds still didn’t stop people scoring two points for the night with a sub 15 minute time set by Luke Mudgeway.

Well done to race organiser volunteers Mike Craine, Tim Lloyd, James Denholm and those who have volunteer their services over the 8 week series. The series comes to a close at the end of the month- 28 March. Be sure to get out to the Kairanga every Wednesday at 5.45 to register.

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Upcoming Events

Laskeys Bush Cycle Tour 2018

Woolworths Cup

Hill Climb Champs

Manfeild 6 Hour Cycle Challenge

Bike Manawatu Prize Giving

When; 28th April

Where: Marist Sport Club

When: Happy Hour” from 6pm.

We are busy planning our club prize giving and this year would really love you and your partners and cycling buddies to join us for a few drinks and some quality time together.

Discounted drinks at the bar will be open for the night and the prize giving will be broken up during the evening for people to mix and have a laugh. The old fashion concept of “bring a plate” we think will be something of a tradition people might enjoy. We will keep you posted.

The more the merrier……