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Day 3 & 4 – Bordeaux to Pau

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. 

Eddy and the Bordeaux Having picked up a rental car, we travelled out to the Atlantic coast, which was packed with French holiday makers. Tried some of the local produce and relaxed on the beach for a couple of hours.  Over the two days we made our way down the coast and then inland across the foothills of the Pyrenees to Pau.

 
The Atlantic coast
Packed beaches!
  Pau

We were now only a day behind the tour and the signs of the tour were evident around the city. Pau is a beautiful place.

 


When we checked in at the hotel, it turns out that Astana, Katusha and Euskatel had been using the hotel the night before.  Cool… now I really feel like we are really at the Tour de France!!!

The Hotel