Second Interclub results

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.

And the weather once again was perfect for a club race which saw the largest field of riders for a long time at a club event.

The atmosphere in Halcombe was just buzzing as not only was there a local rugby fixture on but also the Moa Harriers had a relay event that started and finished at Halcombe. The population of Halcombe at 3pm was probably around 4 times the normal population.

Special thanks to our helpers on the day – Steve Challies did a great job as race manager. Our marshals included visitor from Auckland Trish Harvey along with Rebecca Allan, Katherine Stannard and John Stewart.

Although there was a chance of close interaction between runners and cyclists ( and 1 dog) there were no eventualities and it was surprising to see that many of the runners are also cyclists and maybe we can convince them to join us for a club race when they are not running.

Part of the large field included the juniors (and some parents) that were attending the 5 day development camp at Massey University. The juniors have been doing some great rides including at flat ride to Ohakea on Thursday and a hilly ride over the track and Saddle on Friday. After biking out from Palmy they were faced with either a 60km race for the boys and a 40km race for the girls. Then they turned around and biked back to Palmy. I am sure they all enjoyed the rest of their stay in the Manawatu.

Results for Grades A, B and C

Results for D grade

Next weeks race is again at Halcombe. Registration is at the Halcombe Rugby Club from 12.30pm. Wanganui will again be doing the timing for this event so to avoid the congestion at registration please ensure that you register online before Friday.