That is what inspiration is all about.

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.

I am sure that we in the Manawatu have a few such athletes equally inspired as Burnie. Please read this story.

Three weeks ago Te Awamutu Cycling Club ran their first track race night of the season and a young kid Burnie came down to race. I asked him if he had ridden the track before and he said “no, just watched it on TV at the Olympics”. He was set up on a bike and started in the ‘newbies’ races. Two race night’s later Burnie is riding B grade and winning races. He has an awesome sprint and never gives up.

It turns out that Burnie drew Simon Van Velthooven out as his athlete at school to follow during the Olympics. And Rhino’s performance in London and the way he conducted himself inspired Burnie to take up cycling and put his rugby aside to emulate Simon at the Olympics. Now that’s what it’s all about!

Since this date Burnie has sold all of his playstation games on trade me so that he can buy a metre of the new velodrome at Cambridge.