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.
Around 150 riders including Chris Jenner (ex. Tour de France) with a team of juniors from New Caledonia, current Australian Pro Series leader Wellington’s Joe Cooper, and top riders at U23 and Masters levels competed in the Capital Cycles Wellington Region Easter Tour. Bike Manawatu was well represented: A Grade – Alex West (8th on GC), Nate Levin (15th on GC, 3rd KOM), George Roberts (19th on GC), D Grade – Peter McCarthy (2nd on GC, 2nd KOM, 2nd Sprint) and John Arbuckle (4th on GC, 1st Stage 5), Womens B Grade – Libby Arbuckle (4th on GC, 1st Sprint). Colin Anderson (C Grade) had a mechanical in Stage 1 and couldn’t complete the tour.
It is a well organised tour with 5 stages over three days around the Martinborough vineyards and Masterton hills. The stages include 3 road races, a kermesse and an individual time trial. It caters for a wide range of riders from elite to first time tour riders, masters and juniors (the youngest rider who competed in D grade was 13 and he won the KOM).
We had a great time down there and would encourage you all to have a go at this tour; it’s a beautiful region to spend time in over the Easter weekend, good fun racing and an excellent new challenge if you have never competed in a tour before. Plus there are plenty of vineyards for supporters to check out!!
