Wednesday time trial results week 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.

“Only mad dogs and Englishman go out in the midday sun” Not sure if that was a song or just a saying but I do remember that from a long time ago. And another saying is when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

That could certainly be said about the week 5 time trial participants. And the times certainly prove the point. Discussion on the start line was about planing across the water and the theory certainly proved to be true with nearly everyone improving their times. Although there were tales of pouring with rain in Pahiatua, and bucketing down in Ashhurst it was only drizzle that abated before the start of the time trials.But umbrellas were soon out and at one point when it did stop drizzling and the one umbrella was folded up, it was taken as a bad thing to do and was quickly opened again. Matiu Kaihau came close to beating his course record that he set in 2013.

Next week will be the final night for time trials and the weather will determine whether next weeks results will be used in determining final results. But the way things stand at the moment it will be anyones guess as to who gets top prize. Prizemoney is awarded to financial members. Drinks and a few nibbles will be at prizegiving at the conclusion of next weeks time trials.

Click here for results