Congratulations to all Bike Manawatu members that competed at Masters Games

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.

Over a week of fantastic cycling events started with the 2 day tour in which we had several members riding. A stand out performance on Saturday by Neville Weir in the first stage Time trial saw him leading in the 50 + age group. He was able to retain that lead on the following stage and according to the results taking the stage from all age groups. However due to illness Neville wasn’t able to start the following day in stage 3.

Mike Thompson, Ross Castle and Greg Baker also competed in the 2 day tour in this age category. Graeme Bull competed in the 55+ age group.

In the ladies 2 day tour, Averil Sheehan took away the bronze in the 55+ age group whilst Jenny Farmer came away with the silver in the 65+ age group.

On Thursday night the track events were held at the velodrome. Although the results are not available yet on the Masters Games website Bike Manawatu members were able to collect their fair share of the medals.

Megan Blatchford collected gold medals in each of her events, 500m time trial, 2000m pursuit and rode a very impressive scratch race where she led the whole field for the majority of the laps.

Pania Hudson competing for the first time at Masters Games came away with an impressive 4 gold medals in the 50+ age group. She competed in every event available to her on the night.

Glenys Taylor competing in the same age group collected 2 bronze medals for the 500m time trial and 2000m pursuit.

Neville Weir impressed again after recovering from his illness earlier in the week to take home a couple of gold medals in his age group for the time trial and pursuit.

Friday saw the action move to the time trial course running beside the picturesque Wanganui River.

An out and back course with the following results

35 + men	Dave Fryer	Silver	28.29
50 + men	Neville Weir	Gold	27.14
	Geoff Russell		30.35
60+ men	Barry Gilliland	Gold	29.20
70 + men	Neil Pollock	Bronze	34.23
50 + Women	Jocelyn Goodwin	Silver	32.18
	Pania Hudson		35.28
	Glenys Taylor		36.41
	Valerie Devery		39.08
55 + women	Averil Sheehan	Silver	35.03

Saturday was the road race run on the Oceania circuit starting at Brunswick.

Results as below

45 + men	Toshi Yamauchi		1hr 59.03
50+ men	Mike Thompson		1hr 58.52
55+ men	Graeme Bull		1hr 20.02
70+ men	Neil Pollock	Silver	1hr 30.44
50+ women	Jocelyn Goodwin	Bronze	1hr 25.51
	Pania Hudson		1hr 30.10
	Valerie Devery		1hr 40.08
55+ women	Averil Sheehan	Bronze	1hr 28.41

Congratulations to other members who competed in other events at the Masters Games