So much on offer this weekend
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.
People from the Manawatu have travelled all over the country this weekend to compete in events.
Many have travelled to Blenheim to compete in the 10th Graperide, others have gone to Rotorua for the 100k flyer and a lot of the juniors have gone to Waipukurau to compete in the CHB junior tour.
For those that stayed in the Manawatu we had on offer a 2 up time trial at Kairanga. It was raced over the normal course but it was extended right to the end of Lockwood Loop where Barry Gilliland kindly acted as marshall ensuring everyone made it around the turn point.
The first riders off were the youngest riders Samuel Phillips and Fergus Washington-Smith from PNINS. They had a very tidy turn and good technique according to Barry and completed the 29kms in 58 mins 37 secs
The next to head off were the pairing of Greg Baker and Nigel Doyle. Combined age in excess of 100. A net time of 51 mins and 16 secs
The final pairing was Stephen Stannard and Peter O’Sullivan who completed the course in a net time of 42 mins and 59 secs
Sunday is the Masters Age group hill climb champs at Ashhurst starting at the top of the hill before heading down over the bridge and up the Saddle Rd.
A good group of people have registered to complete the 6km course.
