Matiu Kaihau wins Bennett Street Sprint

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.

PALMERSTON NORTH MARIST CYCLING CLUB

RACE RESULTS – BENNETT STREET SPRINTS – 11 December 2010

This was the final Palmerston North Marist Cycling Club race as the club becomes part of Bike Manawatu from 1 January 2011.

The Sprint Cup returned to Bennett Street, Palmerston North, and was this year contested by 15 riders. Each rider did a timed seeding lap and from these times A and B grades were formed. Riders then rode 2 up with the best of each pair going through to the next round and the other rider competing in the repechage. The finals were raced over the best of 3 sprints. The right lane was the lane of choice, as the surface was much smoother, so some lanes were decided on the toss of a coin.

The 3 fastest times of the day were Cameron Gibbons 27.22, Matiu Kaihau 27.29 and James Hutton 28.19. Matiu won the first 2 sprints to take the A Grade final. Kate Stewart had the fastest B grade time at 29.57 while Ruby Perry provided stiff competition with 29.79 but Kate won the third heat of the B grade final.

Thank you to all the helpers who braved windy and drizzly conditions.

Final results were

A Grade

1. Matiu Kaihau

2. James Hutton

3. Cameron Gibbons

4. Luuk van Wagtendonk

5. Will Pearson

6. Max Annear

7. Josh Kendal

B Grade

1. Kate Stewart

2. Ruby Perry

3. Robert Stannard

4. Katherine Stannard

5. Elizabeth Stannard

6. Thomas Stannard

7. Kathryn Young

8. James Denholm