Wednesday night summer series round 5

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.

With close to perfect conditions and great form from the Masters Games Jocelyn Goodwin broke her own course record on Wednesday Night at the weekly time-trials. Jocelyn’s new course record now stands at 18 mins 37 sec (ave speed 38.7 km/hr), and two new course records in as many months shows that Jocelyn has moved up a level with her performances.
Many other riders also took advantage of the good conditions to post personal bests, with Chris Sanson and Steve Stannard recording 16 min 16 sec and 16 min 18 sec respectively. Current series record holder, Matiu Kaihau didn’t ride on Wednesday.

In the points race, the Denholm family continue their dominance at the top of the table with James and Alex tied for first place with a perfect 10 points and brother Chris just one point back on 9 points in third. There is a large group of riders on 8 and 7 points so the Denholms have plenty of challengers for their top spots.

Click here for results