Great turn out for race 1 01.02.22

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.

There was great turnout to Race one of the Palmfeilds series on Tuesday 1^st with over 50 riders.
A competitive A grade led away for 6 laps with the main swell of B grade starting shortly afterwards.
Couple of glitches with the Timing gear which put a spanner in the works but that is sorted for next week, as will the results for Race 1.

While we are operating under the Red light system we cannot be complacent. We are meeting all guidelines and will continue to.
The best way of treating the registration and prestart is…Treat it like a Café setting.
You scan in, do the admin etc with a mask on, then when you’re seated (on your bike in this instance) it’s ok to remove your mask and carry on.
Other guidelines outside of Covid are just as important, especially at Akers Road circuit. There is taped off areas of grass that we cannot park on, please respect this.
We are on country roads around country drivers and farm equipment, so please respect this.
As riders we ride on the road, but at Prestart and registration we must keep off the road.

Looking forward to the School age groups joining us in our upcoming mid week events, we have a full calendar to suit all abilities so everyone has their opportunities.
Enter early, ride safe, acknowledge and be thankful to our Sponsors and volunteers

Tim