Track Nationals update

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 2011 track nationals are currently underway with the elite programme completed on Sunday night and the age group /masters running this week. I was fortunate enough to be down there as the manager of the elite team.

There have been some great results for some of our membership to date representing West Coast North Island.

Simon van Velthooven cleaned up in the elite men’s section winning the Kilo in a time of 1.02.371, the second fastest ever by a kiwi on NZ soil. Simon also won the sprint (10.435), the keirin and was second in the standing lap. Simon was then awarded the Warren Johnston cup for most points by a male athlete. The last time this was won by a Palmerston North rider was I believe by Mike McRedmond way back when he still had hair!

In the age group and Masters categories, results are still unfolding.

To date Kate Stewart has won gold and Ruby Perry a silver in the girls 500 meter time trial. Fantastic work girls and a great quinella for coach Ian Gray.

Megan Blatchford-Peck has also won silver in the 500m masters category(2).

Other Bike Manawatu club riders involved and medal contenders are Campbell Stewart, Jacob Humphreys, Josh Chard, Matiu Kaihau, Connell Leahy.

Cycling Centre of Excellence

As reported there have been seven applications received by SPARC for the CCoE. These are currently being evaluated and rated by a team of assessors on a matrix scoring system. From this a shortlist will be compiled. The next stage is for site visits by the SPARC High performance team, presentations, interviews of and questions to the bidders around specific elements of the bid.This process is to be completed by late March. The announcement of the successful applicant to be made mid April.

Our bid group are still fully engaged in trying to win this CCoE. A round of sponsorship meetings are planned to try to garner further community support. Whilst support has been fantastic to date, it is now time to turn that support into some financial commitment through sponsorship, pledges, grants etc. Spread the good word.