Special members

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.

Not only can Bike Manawatu boast about its members doing marvellous things on the international and national arena but we also have amongst our members a national selector. Peter McCarthy has recently been appointed to take over the role as the BikeNZ Road Junior Selector. Peter has extensive experience in the cycling community, especially with juniors. He has accompanied many junior teams overseas and been involved in school cycling programs in the Manawatu.

Peter has a huge interest in junior cycling and the development of the sport, and is keen to get involved as a selector.
In this role Peter will attend a number of junior events around the country and will consider individual performances of riders to make it into the development squad. “Squad selection will take into account results shown in selected events, general performance standard, potential to develop and ability to participate in the structured team environment.”

Hopefully the development squad will create an environment that is both supportive and encouraging for our up and coming riders and they will continue progressing through the various age groups to one day be part of the elite riders. Squad size will be determined from time to time taking into account the events and rider suitability .
It will be a busy role for Peter which he will no doubt enjoy and be great at.