Winter Series Race 3.

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.

Despite having the advantage of an expanded rider base following the amalgamation of three clubs, Bike Manawatu is well behind Wanganui Cycling Club after the first two rounds of the Inter Club Winter Series. The annual race series between the two clubs dates back to the 1930s however the competition had been in abeyance until 2009 when it was re-instated. Last year Palmerstone north Marist came within a point or two of taking the cup in what was an enjoyable well fought series. The first two races this year have seen Wanganui take a strong lead which is simply down to number. Bike Manawatu have a chance to even the score by having a large turnout to the last two races which will be run on the 6th (Ashurst Saddle) and 20th (Halcombe Cemetery Circuit) of August. All races are graded with points going towards cash prizes in each grade plus the overall Inter Club Cup. Please come out and support the club as we aim to win the series. For Race 3 we will have a home advantage up the saddle, with A and B grades racing out to Highland Home then back up the the Saddle and C and D going out to Waterford Pub then back through Ashurst to the top of the Saddle.