Rounds 4 and 5 of the Autumn Road Race Series

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 weather for race 4 of the series on Saturday afternoon looked particularly bad, at least at 11 am in the morning. The consistent showers were looking like dampening the ride and there were some calls to postpone. Experience, though, tells us that if you cancel a race because of the weather, the sun then comes out! The race organisers decided to keep to plan and start the ITT at Ashhurst on time at 1:30 pm. True to form, the rain stopped at 1:25 pm and the sun later came out. The dozen or so people who turned up for the TT were given fantastic conditions and some very fast times recorded. Robert Stannard recorded the fastest time over 24 km of 33:03 min, followed by Carne Groube on 34:24 and James Denholm on 35:42. Glen Kirk was looking good until his effort was thwarted by a flock of sheet, but and adjusted time of 53:52 gave him fourth. In the 15 km race, fastest was Emily Shearman on 24:38, followed by Michael Richmond on 28:28.

Next morning the last race (5) of the series at Linton was held. This was a kermesse around Linton Army Camp on some very fast hot mix roads. Grades C and D were combined into one race (15 min plus two laps). B grade completed 25 min plus two laps, and A grade rode 30 min plus three laps. In the C/D race, Ewan Cousins was first, Dra’s Caldwell second, and Sam Russell placed third in a hard fought race which ended in an exciting group sprint. In a very strong and competitive B grade, the attacks around the circuit were thick and fast, with a number of riders tailing off as a result. Thomas Stannard used his smarts by attacking just before the final corner to easily win the sprint. He was followed by Michael and then Ethan Craine. In A grade, the smallest field of seven riders, it was out of the blocks. After just one lap Robert Stannard took a flyer which split the bunch wide open. Alex West and Campbell Stewart quickly got together to catch Robert, leaving the strongest three riders out front. The remaining riders, Steve Stannard, George Roberts, James Denholm, and Andrew McKenzie worked hard, but in vain, to catch the leading trio. In the end, Robert attacked his counterparts with a lap to go to seal the win, Alex was second across the line, and Campbell third.

The prize money pool has been decided and can be found here. Cheques will be written and distributed as soon as possible. If you have not yet helped out with a race but won prize money, you may be required to help in a future race before the prize money is paid to you. Much thanks should go to Glen Kirk for sponsoring the series.