Cycling Uniform Policy – WCNI

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.

Dear Clubs,

Rider Uniforms for racing and podium appearances.

June 10th this month saw a successful running of the West Coast North Island Individual Time Championship. It was a day of great racing, however it exposed a worsening trend of disregard of the correct apparel while competing and presenting to the podium.

Page 4 of the handbook published with the registration request read as follows;

Riders Apparel

Riders must only wear their approved Club jerseys and shorts. Shorts may only display sponsors that are detailed on the riders racing licence.
Members of a UCI International Trade Team or a registered NZ Domestic Trade Team, riding as an individual and are permitted to wear their team shorts only. Must wear their Club Jersey.
Non-club riders must wear suitable clothing.

The Race Director and the Chief Commissaire of the day discussed this at length and it was decided that rather fine clubs of offending riders that a “stern” message would be delivered prior to prize giving along with an explanation of what kit is worn when. i.e. a WCNI event you are representing your club, so club kit is required, riding at a Schools event, your school kit required etc.

While generally most, but not all riders presented to the podium in the correct kit, it was extremely disappointing to see some riders present in track pants and a hoody with their skin suit partially removed with the sleeves tied together and hanging out from under the hoody. This shows a blatant disregard of the privilege of representing a club and wearing the club uniform.

The penalty as detailed by Section 3.2 of Appendix 1 – CNZ Guidelines for Imposing Sanctions in Competition of the CNZ Road and Track Technical Regulations under which the event is run, is a fine of $30 directed to the club of the offending rider.

WCNI will be adopting a firm line on this matter and Clubs are urged to address offending, right down to minor events to engrain the correct culture among their members.

Look forward to seeing an improvement at future events.

Kind regards,