Cycling New Zealand chose to blood some young development riders into the cauldron of the UCI World Cup competitions recently in Manchester England and Poland Europe. Manawatu riders Jordan Castle and Campbell Stewart were selected and performed exceptionally well and should be proud of their incredible results against the best riders on the planet.
Multi junior world champion Campbell Stewart finished 10th in the Omnium boosted by an excellent second place in the points race behind overall winner Benjamin Thomas of France. Jordan Castle won his repechage in the Kerin but was just one spot out from earning a place in the main final going onto being placed third in the 7-12th race giving him ninth place overall.
They return to New Zealand now with the New Zealand elite team for next week’s Oceania Championships in Cambridge.
In New Zealand last weekend competing at the national criterium championships was Michaela Drummond who rode a great race to finish third behind New Zealand riders Rushlee Buchanan and Racquel Sheath. Former Manawatu rider Luke Mudgeway was third Men’s criterium.
Bike Manawatu Club Race -Sutton Cup
When; Saturday 18th November
Where; Halcombe Town Centre start.
Registrations: 2.30pm
The safe Halcombe-Stanway-Tokorangi circuit ( anti-clockwise) is a 20.5k loop.An excellent event for all ages and stages.Also a great build up for the upcoming Taupo Cycle Challenge and Novice Tour.Come out and test yourself.We would love to see you.
Graded handicap 2 laps-41km The Sutton Cup is a longstanding club event and the weather will be good.
Check out bike manawatu Facebook for more information.
Club Kairanga Time Trail 8 Race Series
When: Wednesday’s
Where; At Horizons yard on Kairanga-Bunnythorpe road.
Registrations from ;5.45pm and will close of at 6.15pm.
Start Times from : 6.30pm:
On Wednesdays the Club Kairanga Time Trail 8 week series is attracting great numbers to ride the flat 12Km country time trail course to record points for the series or just have a good hit out for fitness and training for other events.
Trying to better your time and improve your fitness, strength, speed and bike handling skills gives our riders massive reward which most come to try and achieve. Stepping outside of your comfort zone is proving rewarding for those who are trying these new events.
For you to volunteer your help at any club event is appreciated by the club and fellow riders. The club put out a mayday call and asked if Time Trail riders over 18 years old would put their name forward to Organiser Mike Craine ( register with secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz) to go on a volunteer rosters list that would require you to stand down for one time trial week only to help out for one night. For you being on the rosters and helping out for the one night you will receive 2 points towards the series. We hope you see that as fair and a great way of giving back to club events by sharing the work load which the club really appreciates. We thank those people who willingly put their name forward to help which takes pressure off those few people who volunteer week after week.
The popular Kairanga time trial has always been well supported and is always run by a small group of dedicated club members who simply are unable to sustain this year after year. Your help is really valued and its never to late to put your name forward.
Checkout results on BikeManawatu Facebook
Manfeild Criterium- Over 100 Riders register.
When; Tuesday’s ,21st.29th November
Gates open:5.30pm Registrations close at 6.15pm
Start Time:6pm.This is a popular and safe off road graded event for all ages. Its never to late to try this contagious fun ride. The feedback is riders love it.
Over 100 riders registered for the first of the four race points series. Sprint laps are signalled by the whistle and the final lap by the bell. Points will be awarded to the first four in each sprint.
6pm- D and B Grade
D Grade 25 minutes plus 1 lap
B Grade 35 minutes plus.1 lap
6.45pm C and A Grade
C Grade 30 minutes plus 1 lap
A Grade 45 Minutes plus 1 lap
Watching and supporting your cycling buddies and catching up together is part of the fun. Its all over by 7.30 too.
Once again, another great club event and one where volunteers to register riders or call the four four placing over the line are needed. Contact race Organiser Mike Craine secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz
WCNI Track Carnival
When: 19 November
Where;Feilding Velodrome-Johnston Park
Registrations: 11.45 to 12.30
Warm up: 12noon onwards
First race: 1pm
Check out further details on BikeManawatu Facebook
This will be a great event and a fun day for the whole family. Racing or watching racing right before your very eyes. Dont miss if. There are 18 exciting races to watch. This is where it all began for members like Simon van Velthoven, Campbell Stewart, and Jordan Castle. The next stars are in the making.
Club Race – Sutton Cup
When : Saturday, November 18
Manawatu -The Novice Tour
When : 9th and 10th of December
Two days and four stages:44 years of history and bringing most of the best young riders in New Zealand to the Manawatu to compete in this iconic four stage tour over two days.This is a tough tour and brilliant spectacle Manawatu are proud of.Some of New Zealand’s former and current stars have ridden this tour and speak highly of how important the Manawatu Novice Tour was in their development.
Manawatu Festival of Cycling -January 27th.
1) UCI 125km Manawatu Gravel and Tar Classic-International teams.
2) The 70km Gran Fondo- All ages and abilities
3) The 30km Riverpath Challenge- All ages and abilities.
Being awarded a UCI (1.2 level) International race is a big deal for New Zealand and the Manawatu. The Manawatu Gravel and Tar Classic has been running for two years and to get UCI accreditation has been described in rugby terms like holding a Super 15 Rugby final here in the Manawatu year after year. Its that big.
Bike Manawatu are hoping our members and the community will embrace and support the beginning of something special for our region which involves an even bigger focus of people entering the Gravel and Tar 70k Gran Fondo and 30k for all ages and abilities.
The 125k UCI International race along with the recreational rides will set the stage for us to build year after year on creating our own “Manawatu Weekend Festival of Cycling” for everyone in the region and beyond.
Bike Manawatu’s concept of a summer weekend ” Manawatu Festival of Cycling” on the 27th and 28th of January at the end of the school Holidays every year will be good for all cycling age groups and abilities. Consider how the Lake Taupo Challenge got started all those years ago and where it is today.
On Sunday 28th of January our good friends the Manawatu a Mountain Biking Club are hoping to support our weekend “Manawatu Festival of Cycling” which will allow cyclists to ride the Gran Fondo on Saturday the 27th and then ride the Mountain Bike event on Sunday 28th.How good would that be.
On the 27th of January 2018 cycling fans in mid winter over in Europe will be glued to their computers and TV to see who is going to win our tough Manawatu Gravel and Tar 125k Classic and get UCI points.
Still to be finalised-The club are looking to create a festival atmosphere in George Street before and after the three rides where registrations will likely take place at Cyclista Cafe in George
street. Neutralise starts from the square at a respectable 1pm start time we hope will capture a crowd atmosphere to give the event a Kiwi/European Vibe.
The finish line will be at Memorial Park with the usual UCI finish line structures and hoardings we see on TV at International races across the world. A nice way for all of the Gran Fondo 70k and 30k Riverpath Challenge riders to finish.
If your holiday plans can see you back in Palmy for the last weekend in January-You won’t want to miss the start of something great in our region.
Bereavement Notice of Mic Mobberley
This week the club learned of the passing Mick Mobberley a stalwart of Palmerston North cycling aged 89. Mick rode for the Palmerston North Club in the 1940s and 1950s.In 1949 he was New Zealand road champion and in the 1950s was rated the 2nd best New Zealand amateur before turning pro. Mick had a wealth of knowledge on cycling, and along with Joe Allen (RIP) of Feilding, instigated the Manawatu Masters cycling club which later amalgamated and became Bike Manawatu.
The club wish to acknowledge our condolences to the Mobberley family. Micks funeral will be held 11am this Friday 17th of November at The Lynchway Funeral Home.
We welcome Bike Manawatu Memberships
Bike Manawatu welcomes all new members and value all of our current members who turn out week after week to ride a bike. Our annual memberships cost of only $45 for adults ,youths under 19 years old at $25 and family memberships with three or more at only $80 represent great value compared to most other sports.
What is important to know is that your club membership covers public liability insurance which is a valuable benefit. With over 300 Bike Manawatu organised rides per year and loads of great people and friendships you make, what could be better for bike enthusiasts than joining our club.
With your membership contribution we hope you try out as many local events as possible.
Equally we extend a request for more members to help out with our annual calendar of club events during at events from time to time.
Standing down riding an event every now to help out would help provide an even spread of helpers versus the small few who put there hand up regularly.
Contact Keryn our club secretary on secretary@bikemanawatu.co.nz to find out how easy it is to get your membership started or renewed or to be on our list of volunteers to call on every now and then.