Results club race Saturday 10 December

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 last club race in 2011 was held at the mild undulating 9 km Tutaki circuit. A Small group of riders dropped the preparations for the festive season and came to race in windy conditions. Beacause of the low numbers A and B grade was combined to one field of 8 riders. They put on a good race. With attacks and break aways what finally resulted in a group of 4 riders sprinting for line honours. In this group it was Max Annaer just beating Steve Glasgow second and Eric d’Arbois 3^rd. During the race one rider decided to place an attack at the wrong side of the road what led to his disqualification. (We have to remember the playing field of our club races is the left hand side of the road)

C grade started with 5 riders. The wind reduced the group to only 2 finishers. Graeme Bull won in 49 minutes and 56 seconds before Toshi Yamauchi 2^nd in 50:05.

Thanks to Kirsty Kaihau and John Stewart for running the race and Megan Blatchford for marshalling.

Results in full:

A and B grade 4 laps

1 Max Annear Henderson 1:02:15; 2 Steve Glasgow ST; 3 Eric d’Arbois 1:02:19; 4 Luuk van Wagtendonk 1:02:25; 5 Leon Danson 1:08:09; Matiu Kaihau DQ: Matt Elliot DNF; Josh Kendall DNF

C grade 3 laps

1 Greame Bull 49:56; 2 Toshi Yamauchi 50:05; John Clarke DNF; Michaela Drummond DNF; Takumi Clarke DNF