by Bike Manawatu | Oct 1, 2025 | News
The North Island Team Series kicked off over the weekend in Alfredton, with Bike Manawatu riders lining up across teams and categories.
As is the usual for NIS races recently Cat 1 and 2 were combined to have a viable field of riders. Wheelworks fielded a strong team of Cat 1 riders and were effective in dictating the race, frequently sending a rider up the road while controlling the peloton. WCNI riders were active in trying to get to the front of the race. Philipp Vranek animated the race early, repeatedly attacking or trying to tow a team member across to the head of the race. Chris Hansen impressively crossed solo to Jack Polley on the second lap. In the final lap things did not fall WCNI’s way with Blair Christian finishing 6th just out of individual points and Chris paying for his second lap effort and finishing 9th. The old man of the team Glenn Kirk measured his effort well and finished 12th, securing 2nd place points in the team’s competition.
In Cat 3, Team JTcoaching BM lined up well represented with seven riders, despite losing two during the week to sickness and a crash at Schools Nationals. The 68km race started off at a steady pace, but the calm didn’t last long. Around 15km in, the racing lit up when Cody Clark launched a strong attack. With blustery winds scattering the peloton, riders were battling to hold wheels as the attacks and counters came thick and fast. Cody showed his strength, riding clear and opening a gap that stretched out to 2 minutes 30 seconds on the chasers. Behind, the race split into two chase groups. The first included Cliff from JTcoaching BM alongside four iRide riders, with the remaining JTcoaching riders a further three minutes back.
In the final stages, Cliff attacked his chase group, while Cody powered on solo to the line, securing a brilliant win with a minute to spare. Cliff’s move sealed second place, giving Team JTcoaching BM an impressive one-two finish to start the series on a high.
Race 1 was a great start to the series for Palmfeild Motors / Bike Manawatu in Cat 4. With 5 riders in the top 11 places they secured the win for the team and for the GC. A super tight finish with .03 second between first and third place. We had Graham Hall coming first with another Manawatu resident, Dan MacKay second, Brendon Clark 3rd, Pat Johnstone 5th, Shane Chadwick 7th, Darren Murdie 11th. Great team work!
The teams look forward to Race 2 on the same course, scheduled for 12th October. Also remember that you don’t have to be registered in a team to compete in this series.
by Vaughan Hunt | Sep 27, 2025 | News
We received this lovely thanks form Kapiti Cycling club:
Hi Mike
Thanks once again for organising last Sunday’s interclub ride. The Kapiti guys really enjoyed riding the route, particularly the rolling Valley Road section after the climb.
We all agreed that section was the most fun we’d had on a bike for a very long time.
Kapiti are keen to return the favour and host you guys on the Coast early in the New Year.
Best wishes
Gary
by Bike Manawatu | Sep 14, 2025 | News, Road Results
Small but potent line up at the North-Eastern Rongotea TT today. Glenn Kirk, Cliff Hughes and Winston Briggs dusted off their TT bikes to join Mark Hudson at the pointy end.
Results can be found HERE
Very cool to see 5 members of the Peel family competing in various teams and individual efforts. For the schools teams it was a case of getting their processes in check for the National Schools Champs next week.
The TT signalled the last Sunday race for the year at Bike Manawatu. With daylight saving around the corner, Tuesday night racing will be front and centre with some Saturday afternoon marquee events before December.
Huge thanks to Sam and Laura Richardson who have picked up the mantle of timing over the winter. They had plenty of help at base, while out on course Phil Riley and Ross O’Dea were at the intersections with the Cadzows in support.
Calendar for the rest of the year will be released as soon as we meet with PNCC about some exciting events.
by Vaughan Hunt | Sep 12, 2025 | News
Bike Manawatu is being joined by Kapiti Cycling Club members on Sunday 21st September 2025 for our Sunday ride commencing from Memorial Park at the later time of 8.30am.
KCC advised their cyclists will be of B-grade to Vets standards all looking forward to a change of scene so asked if they could join the Bike Manawatu Sunday ride.
At the end of the ride it is planned to visit a cafe for some social time with the KCC visitors.
Bike Manawatu members if you have nothing else planned come and join the morning.
Please note the later starting time, ie 8.30am.
by Bike Manawatu | Aug 31, 2025 | News, Road Results
Great turn out for the Bike Manawatu Road Race Champs this morning. The decision to move to a flatter course was well received with good numbers considering the weather forecast 3 days ago.
Sometimes we just need to back ourselves and run the planned event and that happened today. Credit and thanks to Janina and Jo behind the scenes with Sam Richardson again running registration and timing. Unfortunately the forecast changed considerably overnight and the rain arrived at 10.00am.
3 bunch starts worked a treat, everyone rode extremely well and produced great racing. A few shout outs that can’t go unrecognised. The welcome return of Jack Pronk, Wilson Hannon and Zach Hintz in the 19-23 age group. The dads that have been improving every race and contributing to the club and also the girls who rode a high tempo TTT for the 30kms.
Plenty of helpers on the day. Aaron Hill, Jonathon Hannon, Phil Riley, Lenka Martinova, Marty Baker, Darren Sharland, Ross O’Dea….huge thanks for making the event possible.
Results can be found HERE
September 14 we have the Team and Individual TT on the Rongotea northern course, and the week after is Schools nationals.
There were 3 jackets, a pair of glasses and other items left in the hall. Please PM Tim.
As great and positive as this all is, and with the club moral growing by the week, it’s with immense sadness to be informed that past BM Chairman and powerhouse of the NZ cycling community Steve Stannard succumbed to cancer and passed away over night in Australia. Steve was a fighter and gave everything he did in life 100%. Our thoughts are with Katherine, Robert, Lizzie and Thomas and all his friends and colleagues.
by Bike Manawatu | Aug 22, 2025 | News
Hoping we will be done with this cold winter that has gripped us this year. We have avoided most to the big wet but the cold mornings have been a bit to conquer.
As a Club we have been pushing on with having racing through the winter on the back of a very successful 6 Hour at Manfeild.
There’s been a good variation with some new courses to spice things up a little. The first weekend of August was host to the 52nd running of the Novice Tour, most entries in many years and another very successful event.
Our Junior programme with mentors invited to ride with the Year 7 and 8 riders has been a huge success, some parents moving on to race in their own categories.
Kapiti Cycling club have once again run a great winter series which is frequented by our local riders. Round 3 last weekend saw Garry Buys race for the first time in many years. Supporting him in D grade were Wayne Fage and Rob Ryan.
Inspired by this there’s been a decision made to shift our Club Champs on August 31st to our Glen Oroua circuit. We have raced there earlier in the year and whilst predominately flat, it is still a worthy course.
We must cater for every skill and age for us to function as a club. There will be a WCNI race and the resurrection of the Joey Allan that will satisfy the vertical needs of the elite, in our view encouraging the grass roots with doable circuits is key.
All age grades will be recognised, and there will be 3 mass starts. Click HERE to register for Club Road Champs.
Kapiti riders travel up here on September 21st to join our Sunday morning Memorial park ride, reciprocal arrangements will follow we are sure.
With Road race champs done we will be looking at securing a venue for our Hill climb and maybe a new ITT course. We have made initial enquiries about a Criterium track close to the inner city. All these will happen before the end of the year.
It’s not unusual for locals to head overseas to compete. Glenn Kirk and Rob Duff are famous for it. Just today Cliff Hughes wrapped up a win in the 4 day Tour of Samoa.
Tough opposition and rumour is it’s ruffled a few feathers.
Take the opportunity to race, enjoy the challenge, spring is on the way!
