Oh What a night

by Glenys Taylor | Nov 10, 2012 | Archive(News)

It started at the Marist Sports Awards. With a great turn out of Bike Manawatu members and supporters it was a set to be a great night when finalists in the Most Promising Junior sportsperson were asked to come to the front. Michaela Drummond along with Campbell Stewart representing cycling.

And the winner is ….. Campbell Stewart. This was a new award last year and the first name on the trophy was Kate Stewart, who as a year older was considered no longer a junior and was therefore a finalist for Sportsperson of the year alongside Jesse Sergent and Simon van Velthooven.

And the winner is ….. for the first time a joint award to be shared between Jesse Sergent and Simon van Velthooven.

Then it was off to the main event of the evening the Central Energy Trust Sportsperson of the year awards at the Awapuni racecourse.

A night of glitz and glamour , dress code jacket and tie. For a lot of people it was a chance to dress up (even in matching outfits adorned with cats.)

Bike Manawatu had a six finalists across the categories, some in more than one category.

First came the Legends of Sport. The citation that was read hinted at a woman who had led an amazing sporting life over many decades. Jean Whitfeild was a golfer who at a mature age is still hitting golf balls and told eveyone present that all that was said in the citation is unverified. But we all stood in awe of this delightful lady who didn’t need a microphone.

The first award of the night was the Manawatu Standard More FM Sports Personality of the year. The four finalists were Aaron Smith, (Rugby) Simon van Velthooven,(Cycling)  Jack McKenzie (triathlon also a member of Bike Manawatu)  and Mike McRedmond (cycling). This award was decided by the public who had the ability to cast votes online.

And the winner is ….

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World status for the New Zealand Cycle Classic

by Glenys Taylor | Nov 7, 2012 | Archive(News)

The Manawatu region is once again home to New Zealand Cycle Classic international UCI endorsed event. The event took place in the Manawatu for the first time in January this year and is returning from 23 to 27 January 2013.
The five-day is the only UCI sanctioned event in New Zealand, “The classic is recognised overseas as the road tour with the highest international standing in this country and I expect it will be reflected in the quality of the New Zealand and overseas riders taking part,” said Race Director Jorge Sandoval.

Thanks to the support of NZCT, next year’s event will be known as the NZCT Cycle Classic – Tour of Manawatu after NZCT taking over the naming rights of the event.

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October / November Strava Distance Challenge – Week 3

by Vaughan Hunt | Nov 5, 2012 | Archive(News)

Yes the October challenge extended into November. One week to go! It has been a great week for training with most in the distance challenge also lining up for the TDM. Mike takes over the lead albeit by only a few km. There are some big club rides coming up prior to Taupo so watch out for those.

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