First Cyclocross event held

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.

Robert Stannard at Massey Cyclocross race small The first event in what will continue to be a sport on offer in the Manawatu was held at Massey University on Sunday alongside the Striders Half Marathon. The course had been laid out with the start line at the head of the playing fields. The course continued in a zigzag fashion around the outskirts of the playing fields before the riders disappeared between the shelter hedges after first having to negotiate their way over some obstacles. Next was the hill climb before the possibility of a slippery descent and the lap completed back at the head of the fields.

According to young Adam Francis the hardest part was the log obstacle and the best part for his race was passing Sasha going up the hill. All the riders had the same start time but completed a different numbers of laps according to their grading. Cameron Howell reported that the grass section was slow but overall the race was fun.

A fine tussle unfolded between the two Stannards that were competing in the 7 lap race with the patriarch finally taking the lead in the 5th lap.

Photo thanks to Owen Mills

Thanks to the people who set out the course and dismantled it at the end and to all others that helped and participated on the day.

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