Cheltenham Handicap Results

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.

Finally the wind had abated and some comments were even made about getting slightly red or pink if we were out in the sun too long.

That was not to be – not that the sun was not a welcome visitor but that the racing was fast and furious. A new recreational grade was created and was to be set off first before the handicap race started. These riders would have been followed by the Juniors and each of the grades at their respective handicaps.

D grade and juniors were set off followed by C grade 3 minutes later and B grade was split into B grade which left at 10mins and B+ at 14 minutes. A grade was last to leave on 16 mins 15 secs.

A pleasing result for Kim Andersen as she took out the womans race and Luuk van Wagtendonk led the charge for the line amongst a group of B and B+ riders.

Click here for full results.