Final in Handicap Series this Saturday

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.

In working out the points that have been achieved over the handicap races that have been held so far some interesting numbers have arisen.

The first race in the series was the Pahiatua Sealed Handicap. In this event which was an interclub event there were a total 36 entries but only half of these were Bike Manawatu members. Allriders started at the same time and although Robert Stannard was first over the line the winner of the Cup after adjusting for the sealed handicap was Frazer Allen.

The next race in the series was the Essex Cup which is raced over the gravel section of the Pohangina Ashhurst loop. A poor turn out meant that anyone who had competed in the previous event at Pahiatua was able to gain valuable points.

The race last weekend was the 3rd in the series from Cheltenham for the Cheltenham Cup. There was again a poor turn out but the regulars who know all about consistent riding were able to gain more points.

Prizegiving on Saturday where prizewinners need to be present to collect their winnings .

Helen Davis,Frazer Allan andThomas Stannard are all in the prize pool already. They are followed by Ross Rainham,Steve Stannard andToshi Yamauchi who have each competed in the past 3 events. Then close on their tail are Robert Stannard,Hayden Washington-Smith,Cody Simpson,Alex West,Michaela Walker, Katherine Stannard andNate Levin who have competed in 2 races. These all need to compete this week to ensure that they are able to collect and not get beaten on the final race points up for grabs.

The cups will be engraved and presented at the end of year prizegiving to financial members.

There have been 37 members race at the three Saturday races but unfortunately not all of these people have raced in each event. WOuldn’t it be great if everyone was able to turn up to every event.