Wednesday time trials week 4 results 26 February 2014

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.

Click here for results

Another fine night and lots of new faces. And although I was specific at the race briefing about being aware of other traffic at the end and staying off the seal and returning to the yard once finished, people continue to congregate on the side of the road. The natural thing for traffic that is passing someone on the side of the road is to move out away from the obstacle. This creates a hazard in itself. Next week no body will be allowed to sit on the side of the road when they are finished and all people will be told to either go in to the yard or do a cool down and not to congregate on the side of the road, especially not the side of the road where people are finishing.

Thanks to Rob and Megan who went out to the turn point. Thanks to all the helpers on the start and finish line.

Some very good times in the results with Matiu Kaihau posting a time of 15 mins 57 secs – a few seconds off the time he achieved in 2013 and Barry Gilliland chopping exactly one second of his time from last week.