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Cheltenham Handicap Race

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. 

The Cheltenham handicap race is to be held the week after Labour weekend. Last year the race was shifted to a new course as there was major roadworks occurring on the previously used course for this event. The new courses started and finished at the Chelty Hotel in Cheltenham – an appropriate place for the name of the event.

This year to make the event special we are adding a recreational grade. This is for all those people that want to have a go but do not want to race as such. At the end of the event John Arbuckle is putting up a dozen Tuis as a prize for the first recreational rider home. And for those who want a beer before they head out on the course the bar will be open. Of course the bar will be open again at the end of the race.

Registration is at the Chelty Hotel at 1pm. First grade off will be the recreational grade at 1.30pm. There is a shorter distance for junior riders. Have a look at the website calendar for more details.