The Rangitikei River Loop Classic

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.

The Rangitikei River Loop Classic was held on Sunday, October 24 in near perfect conditions. The ride starts in Hunterville and immediately sends riders up the Rangatira Hill, this sorts out the bunch very quickly and much to his surprise Mark Waterland led the riders over the top of the Rangatira Hill with locals, Kent Croote, Steve Stannard and Brent Bismarck close on his wheel, along with Josh Page (the last winner of the Twins Peak tour) and one or two others.

After some soft pedalling this group was caught by another 20 or 30 riders at the 20 km mark. A series of attacks, mostly instigated by Steve Stannard, were covered by the bunch with the key break coming at the bottom of Makino Rd (approximately half-way), giving a bunch of 7 riders. This group was reduced to 4 as the pace was lifted on the short climb out of Waituna West, with Mark Waterland and Steve Stannard dropping off at this point. Brent Bismarck was the next victim leaving three riders including Kent Croote and Josh Page to battle it out for the win, with Kent Croote taking a well-earn victory at the finish.