Linton Criterium Saturday 15th January
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.
A brisk wind on the back section of the 3.3km course may have slowed the races down a slight bit but the sprints on every second lap of the A/B grade race were at a very fast pace. Unfortunately, Tom Pirie had a mechanical on the first lap and although he made up some ground with some help from James Hutton and Rob Te Moana, over the next few laps, he was not able to catch the lead until the last lap.
Results
A & B Grade
1st Sprint Cameron Senior, 5pts, Max Annear-Henderson, 3 pts, Rob Te Moana, 2 pts, Steve Glasgow, 1 pt.
2nd Sprint Cameron Senior, 5 pts, Ross Rainham, 3 pts, Max Annear-Henderson 2 pts, Steve Glasgow, 1 pt.
Final lap Cameron Senior, 5 pts, Max Annear- Henderson 3 pts, Ross Rainham, 2 pts, Steve Glasgow 1 pt.
Finishing Order Cameron Senior, Max Annear- Henderson, Ross Rainham, Steve Glasgow, Will Pearson, Tom Pirie, Rob Te Moana. James Hutton DNF
C Grade
Michaela Drummond had a clean sweep on the sprint lap and the final lap over Angela Rainham.
Hopefully we will have all riders back next week with club riders returning from the Hub Tour and some additional riders coming from Wellington to have a go on this course.
The criterium races will continue over the next few weeks culminating in a criterium on Friday 25th February in conjunction with the NZ Womans Tour.
