Successful interclub 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.

Below is the points table for the Interclub series.

As mentioned in an Email to all members last week we were behind on points after 3 events and so we needed a good turnout at the final event to win the interclub cup.

Looking at the cup it has quite a history behind it. It was first competed for as an Interclub competition back in 1948 when Palmerston North won it. Several years it was not competed for, but out of the 37 times that it was competed for up until this year it was won by Wanganui 14 times and they were the current holders having won it 6 times in succession.

The points are determined by the number of people racing in each grade and are cumulated over the series of four races, two hosted by Wanganui and two hosted by now Bike Manawatu. If you competed but did not place in the top 10 when there are more than 10 in a grade you still were awarded 1 point. Prizemoney was awarded to each grade and this year the 3 riders with the most points at the end of the series in each grade shared between them $60. So for example Pat Carroll from Wanganui competed in all four races and was placed 2nd in the first race, 6th in the second race, 4th in the third race and 9th in the final race was able to accumulate his points and take away prizemoney.

So the total points for Bike Manawatu at the end of all 4 races was 423 compared to Wanganui with a total points tally of 359.

Oiroa Kaihau who was nominated to be our club captain to receive the trophy at prizegiving mentioned that competitive cycling in the region was in fine form and looked forward to the challenge again next year. So if it was your first time competing at a club event and you enjoyed it come back to any club event on a Saturday afternoon and have another go.

The Wanganui club put on a fantastic afternoon tea which was enjoyed by all of those that attended the prizegiving. Certificates were presented to those riders that gained the top 3 places in each of the grades for the final event.

To all those that participated in the series and the many helpers – thanks for making the series the success that it was.

Click here to view full points for series