Woolworths Cup Preview 14 Sept 2019

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.

Spring is officially here, a much welcome change of season and time to get racing. After a very successful Akers Road event on August 31st we now head into the first of many Trophy events for the season.

The Woolworths cup is a long standing handicap race that, historically, has been a sealed handicap. This means the winner wasn’t clear until after the finish with the handicap being…sealed and undisclosed.

A call was raised by many riders to have new courses available to race on and keep the courses close to towns to make them more accessible. This new course is an absolute ripper.
With 420 metres of climbing over 43 kms it’s a fast course that should suit everyone. Entries close online today (Friday) at 7.00pm but we will of course accept entries on the day. This year it is a graded Handicap race.

The start times will be staggered with E grade starting first with chasing grades leaving in groups at times to be issued at the briefing. The Handicappers job is to get everyone finishing at close to the same time.

The format will encourage team work and for all members of the group, which will inevitably get bigger, to do their share of work. The A grade bunch will have to work hard for overall honours.

After the race we will head to Murray Irish Bar for a debrief. Lots of parking out the back on Eyre St.

It’s going to be an awesome event…, see you all tomorrow
Pre Register Here