New race for young cyclists

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.

Manawatu’s new schools road cycling championships will take place on Sunday June 19.

Bike Manawatu will base the event out of Ashhurst where intermediate and secondary school cyclists will have the chance to compete in several different age groups to earn the right to call themselves the best school aged cyclist in the region. The event will be open to cyclists in the Manawatu, Horowhenua and Tararua.

The first of its kind in the Manawatu, the event will cater for a year 7/8 (Intermediate) grade as well as the under 15, 17 and 19 grades for both boys and girls. The students will be able to compete in up to three different cycling events on the day with the event consisting of a hill climb, individual time trial and points race.

‘This format will provide the students with excellent exposure to all of the different aspects of a typical cycling event,’ says Ben Koch Sport Manawatu’s secondary school sports advisor

Bike Manawatu secretary Glenys Taylor says, “It will also provide a valuable warm up for students attending the North Island and New Zealand School Cycling Championships,”

The event will be based at the Ashhurst School Hall and entries are $15 per student, registration forms for students are available from local cycling clubs or intermediate and secondary schools in the Horowhenua, Tararua and Manawatu. For more information visit bikemanawatu.co.nz or contact Glenys Taylor (06) 357 5349.

For further information:

Glenys Taylor

Bike Manawatu

Phone: (06) 357 5349

Email: secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz