National Masters 40 km TT – Done!

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 National Masters 40 km TT is the premier TT event on the summer calendar for a serious time trial cyclist. This year the event was held at Kahutara which lies between Martinborough and Lake Wairarapa.

There were: 60 competitors, 10 women and 50 men, youngest rider aged 30, most experienced (but not the slowest) rider aged 80+.

Medals were on offer for the usual 5 year age groups used in national cycling events. While many Manawatu riders were riding the Pahiatua “Fun Ride”, six time trial stalwarts from the Manawatu were doing a proper race and trying to bring some of those medals from Wairarapa back through Gorge. We did ok. Our results were:

Jocelyn Goodwin 1^st (50-54 grade) in 66:11 min

Barry Gilliland 1^st (60-64 grade) in 59:35 min

Mike Burt 3^rd (55-59 grade) in 65:01 min

Neville Weir 1^st (50-54 grade) in 56:15 min (Fastest masters time of the day)

Michael Bradley 5^th (50-54 grade) in 61:48 min

Geoff Russell 6^th (50-54 grade) in 62:57 min

Two things need to be acknowledged:

1. Neville has been in brilliant form this summer; and

2. The 50-54 age grade was especially competitive with the first four riders breaking the 60 minute mark, so Mike and Geoff did pretty good rides that into account. In fact they both could have medalled in the younger 40-44 age goup.