Track Chit Chat- 13 Mar 2016

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.

Next Sunday 20^th March is our last track day at 3pm to close a successful 2015/16 track season.

A lot of new riders, especially in the U15 grade who started track this season have made very good improvement, which has been pleasing to see. It is going to be difficult to pick the most improved rider to win the trophy and prize money will be awarded at the annual meeting on the 5^th April.

Next Sunday there will be prize money for end of season wheel races in each grade. Be there to celebrate the track season 2015/16.

We will have a few sausages on the BBQ if someone puts their hand up to organise this. Please contact Kate if you want to throw something together (k8.stewart@hotmail.com).

IMPORTANT:

-Those who have hired bikes this season are asked, if possible, to return them after the meeting next Sunday.

Any rider wising to retain their bike to ride track at North Island School championships at Cambridge later in the year please contact Ian.

–Numbers must also be returned to be eligible for prize money at the prize giving

Congratulations to all BikeManawatu track riders that were successful at the Nationals in Invercargill. Well Done!!

-Dylan Simpson: Gold, U17B Scratch race

-John Stewart: Gold, MM3 3000m Individual Pursuit

-Zoe Croton: Silver, U15G Scratch race

-Dlyan Simpson, Angus Claasen, Max Taylor: Silver, U17B Team Pursuit

-Campbell Stewart: Gold, U19M Omnium

-Michaela Drummond: Gold, U19W Omnium

-Emily Shearman: Bronze, U19W Omnium