How the Manfeild 6 Hour was won…

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.

Adam started off the day riding the first 3hours whilst I competed at the manawatu triathlon club champs. The pace was high from the start as it always is, but he managed to gain a lap with Madi and Max and it was still that way when I arrived before 12pm for the second 3hrs that I would be riding. It looked to be one large bunch with all the main contenders riding together with our team and Madi a lap ahead of a couple of teams and a few solo riders.

When I went out I wasn’t sure how I would be feeling as I had raced the tri earlier in the morning so had no intention of going for a lap solo. However, I felt pretty good in the first few laps and somehow I managed to get at gap so I just decided to keep going by myself. I wouldn’t say that I snuck a lap, I just knew the solo riders would be struggling as they had already ridden 3hrs. Took the lap within the first hour and also managed to get the fastest lap too so that was nice bonus.

Big thanks to Bike Manawatu, the sponsors and all the volunteers that helped put on such an awesome event, it wouldn’t be possible without you. It’s great to see such a unique event in the manawatu that brings together cyclists of all ages and abilities.

Adam and I are currently training towards the Triathlon World Championships held on the Gold Coast in September.