Tour of Taranaki – 2013

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.

June 1, 2 and 3 2013

The traditionally appalling weather failed to materialize for the Tour of Taranaki this year – although it made a valiant attempt on Saturday, hiding the mountain in clouds and rainbows and washing our bikes clean of cow dung. However, clear skies on Sunday and Monday meant that it was Bike Manawatu riders who made hay while the sun shone in the Naki over the June long weekend.

In a strong A Grade field Luke Mudgway should have succeeded in his mission to impress the U19 Bike NZ selectors with a strong tour, culminating in a decisive four-man break on the final stage. Luke finished third on GC behind hard man, Gordon MacCauley, and Morgan Smith, ahead of many more fancied (and experienced) riders. George Roberts started the race, but withdrew due to illness.

James Denholm was the only Bike Manawatu rider in B Grade and hung with the large field until Stage5, when his legs finally cracked in the consistently fast pace.

And speaking of hard men, John Stewart raced well in C Grade, winning Stage 3 and finishing 7^th on GC. He missed the winning break on Stage 5 because he was watching the yellow and polka dot jerseys (who were probably watching him!), and spent the rest of the race regretting his decision and chasing hard.

D Grade was combined with the U17 girls, and had strong representation from Bike Manawatu. Ruby Perry rode off with the Women’s jersey for D Grade partly based on some impressive time trial form. Meanwhile, Alex Denholm in his first race since the great flood, and John Arbuckle, now a seasoned Naki campaigner (or should that be tourist?) made a few cameo appearances at the front, while Katherine Stannard and John van Lienen ensured a Bike Manawatu presence at the Lantern Rouge end of the bunch. Elizabeth Stannard not only ended up 2^nd in the U17 girls race and 3^rd in the KOM contest for the whole of D Grade, but won the final stage with a gutsy solo break 5km from the finish, crossing the line 10 seconds clear of a bunch of angry masters!

The U17 boys grade boosted the value of the Manawatu economy (and probably the profits of the Boys High canteen) to the tune of several hundred dollars, with plenty of that prize money spread among our junior riders. Bike Manawatu riders won every stage (Stage 1 Robert Stannard, Stage 2 Campbell Stewart, Stage 3 Alex West, Stage 4 Joel Yates and Stage 5 Robert Stannard), and every jersey (Alex West Tour Leader and Sprint Ace, and Robert Stannard King of the Mountains). A number of parents were heard complaining that a ‘parent tax’ on prize money should have been embedded in the constitution when Bike Manawatu was formed.

Many of us stayed at the St Mary’s Boarding School, living the life of professional cyclists (or children), with all our meals provided, under floor heating in our rooms, and support crew providing beer and comedy routines. I should mention that many of the Bike Manawatu support crew also provided race assistance, driving lead and support cars for various grades and stages.

Well done and thank you to Cycling New Plymouth for organising yet other version of this iconic event.

Final results for all Bike Manawatu riders were as follows;

A Grade Luke Mudgway 3^rd

B Grade James Denholm 24^th

C Grade John Stewart 7^th

D Grade Elizabeth Stannard 6^th and 2^nd U17 girl

Ruby Perry 11^th

Alex Denholm 21^st

John Arbuckle 22^nd

Katherine Stannard 26^th

John van Lienen 31^st

U17 Boys Alex West 1^st

Nate Levin 4^th

Robert Stannard 5^th

Carne Groube 6^th

Joel Yates 7^th

Jake van Lienen 9^th

Jacob Seivwright 10^th

Hayden Washington Smith 11^th

Cameron Huston 13^th

Hamish Mikkelson 15^th

Fergus Allan 16^th

Andrew McKenzie 18^th