Results Saturday 5 March 2011

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.

Saturday 5 March club race

On a day starting with plenty of rain 9 Riders signed up for two laps of good old Valley Rd circuit in A grade and 10 in B grade. Surprisingly no C and D graders (except for one) were interested in this challenging circuit or was it the weather. On the first lap round A grade was sort of still in one bunch. The second lap made the difference though. At the end Miguel Dib and Kent Croote battled it out for the line honours. Kent had to dig deep to beat Miguel and to make it two in row after winning last weeks Petite Grimpeur.

The B grade split in more or less three bunches in the first lap with Max Annaer, Steve Glasgow, Mike McMinn, Steven Snell and Neil Martin in the break. Those 5 riders managed to stay together till the end. The sprint finish was won by Steve Glagow just before Max Annaer 2^nd ( reversed compared with last weeks result) and Mike McMinn 3^rd.

Results in full

A grade 2 laps 60 km km

Kent Croote 1:17:09, 1; Miguel Dib st 2; Mark Waterland 1:51:12. 3; Angus Findlay 1:51:19, 4; Daniel Lithgow 1:51:37, 5; Luuk van Wagtendonk 1:54:27, 6; Mark Findlay dnf, Jeremy Stephens dnf; Michael Hall dnf.

B grade 2 laps 60 km

Steve Glasgow 2:02:29, 1; Max Annaer st, 2;Mike McMinn st, 3; Steven Snell st, 4; Neil Martin st, 5; Stuart Doidge 2:09:55, 6; Alex DenHolm 2:13:05, 7; Sid Cuff 2:23:42, 8; James Hutton dnf; Erik D’Arbois dnf.

No Club race on Saturday 12 March. Hope to see you all at the Bush Tour Sunday 13 March