HUB TOUR 15/17 JAN 2010

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.

The weather wasn’t too inviting this year for the 2010 Hub Tour in the beautiful Hawkes Bay, but the results for our Marist riders where excellent.

Sjoerd van Wagtendonk and Luke McCarthy rode A-Grade with an impressive field of riders including Michael Torkler, Tom Findlay and Jeremy Yates. Both Sjoerd and Luke finished the 5-stage weekend, which was a great accomplishment in itself with such a big field of national riders.

Matiu Kaihau, Luuk van Wagtendonk and Neil Martin rode B-Grade. Matiu rode hard to win 1^st overall GC in B-Grade with several good stages over the tough terrain of Puketapu and Burma Rd. Luuk rode well in the terrible conditions and finished all stages with strong determination. Neil Martin was riding strongly with the front bunch during the 2^nd stage at Puketapu, but unfortunately was involved in a crash and had to pull out the race.

Miguel Dib, Jaycob Humphries, Mark Findlay and Bradley Nelson all competed in the U17 grade in which Miguel finished 2^nd overall in GC with Jaycob 4^th and Mark 5^th.

All round an impressive accolade of medals for the Marist club, especially considering the poor conditions! The Ramblers Club holds this event every year for all grades of riders young and old. It is a gruelling but very exciting weekend of racing, which is held at the Ngatarawa Winery. Great racing, great prize money, great wine!