Results from Hill Climb Champs 2012

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.

With the wind blowing in the right direction to help push the riders up the hill it looked like we would get some good times.

However the condition of the road left something to be desired and it can only be left to hope and some divine intervention to make sure that the Saddle Rd is repaired to the standard that we were used to riding on before the Gorge was closed. And divine intervention to make sure that the Gorge is not closed again.

It was good to see such a good turn out of school kids and that there parents came along to support them also.

At the end of the proceedings the school prizegiving was held back at Ashhurst school hall with afternoon tea. This gave some of the adult members of the club a chance to see the marvellous talent and commitment of the younger riders that are coming up through the ranks.

The full results for each age group will be available next week.

Click here for results