Smooth and Wrinkly Race

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.

Numbers at the weekends Smooth and Wrinkly ride was somewhat disappointing with only six turning up to the 35km road race and 8km time trial events.

As a concept, combining younger and older riders together into a team has some appeal but on Saturday there were too many wrinkly riders to pair up with the two smooth riders.

Regardless the race went ahead and the strength of the two young riders ( Max Annear Henderson and Kate Stewart) was evident as soon as the small peloton went up the Mangaone Hill Rd heading towards Halcombe, then back to Fielding on Makino Rd. Max, Kate and Tom Pirie secured the quickest time of 1.02.49

The individual time trial was won also by Max who had the quickest time of the day at 13.30 from his coach Barry Gilliland. Had Tom Pirie carefully listened to the instructions, he might have secured the quickest time in the trial time. Instead, he missed the turn and kept heading in the wrong direction towards Fielding before realising his error.

What was a positive feature was the level of support coming from masters members who came out to assist with marshalling.

Thanks are extended to Catriona Pirie, Noel McDonald and Graeme Bull for giving up their free time to help. Their assistance was very much appreciated by the riders on the day.

Max Annear Henderson	1hr	15.80	13.31	1hr	2.49
Kate Stewart	1hr	17.55	15.06	1hr	2.49
Barry Gilliland	1hr	17.68	13.42	1hr	4.26
Tom Pirie	1hr	17.69	15.20	1hr	2.49
Megan Blatchford	1hr	22.36	14.07	1hr	8.29
Oiroa Kaihau	1hr	24.94	14.46	1hr	10.48