First Trusthouse Series Race for 2021

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.

First Trusthouse Series Race for 2021

Sunday was the first race in the North Island Trusthouse Teams Race Series for 2021. The race took place in Alfredton over a 34 km lap – Category 1 and 2 rode 3 laps of the circuit, while Category 3 and 4 rode 2 laps of the circuit. It is a fairly challenging circuit, which was made tougher with the strong winds and intermittent rain.

Bike Manawatu had a team each in Categories 2,3 and 4, with other Manawatu riders taking part in the WCNI team in Cat 2, Matthew Jamieson riding as an individual in category 1, the Manawatu Storage team in category 4, as well as some riders participating in the Green Performance Team in Category 2.

Matthew Jamieson placed 4^th in Category 1, after making the step up from racing in Category 2 last year – this is a fantastic result, well done Matthew.

Glenn Kirk’s WCNI team dominated the Category 2 race with Caleb Bottcher riding solo for over 1 and a half laps to take the win, with Jeremy Rowe finishing in 4^th and Glenn Kirk in 7^th. The Total Sheetmetals Bike Manawatu team also had some great results with Adam Francis and Sam Parry in 8^th and 9^th place.

The standout results in category 3 are from our younger members – Jackson Fellowes who is racing for the Madison Clothing team was first and Andy Richardson finished 7^th only 11.9 seconds behind the winner – both of these young men are racing in this series for the first time. Dave Jackson and Jackson’s dad Marcus (also racing for Madison Cycle clothing), finished in 2^nd and 3^rd.

Category 4 was a great race for our locals – Darren Murdie of the Palmfeilds Bike Manawatu team finished in a very close 2^nd (1.2 seconds), with Toshi Yamauchi riding for Manawatu storage in 3^rd place. Patrick Johnstone and Darcy Forrester from the Palmfeilds Bike Manawatu team finished in 4^th and 10^th place, and this team is sitting 2^nd in the teams points for the series.

Well done to all riders from the Manawatu who took part – here is a link to the results https://www.webscorer.com/race?raceid=253428