Happy Tuesday folks,
Hope all those involved with the Southland Track Champs are recovering nicely after some totally superb racing over two and half days. It was fantastic to have so many out-of-towners join us for the event and there was some awesome racing, plenty of personal bests, and great comradery throughout the whole event. Check out the event wrap here and all results are available online here
So with that great event done and dusted, it is already time to think ahead to the New Year, when there is plenty more to keep your wheels spinning with our Gore to Invercargill Road Classic, New Year Track Carnival and the Ascot Criteriums, being held from Thursday 19 to Sunday 22 January.
Everything is now set up to register, so get online and register now before you get busy with the holidays and forget – we can’t wait to see everyone again.
Canterbury Summer Carnival
Can we please have expressions of interest from anyone wishing to head to Canterbury Track Cycling’s Summer Carnival of racing being held at Denton Park on Friday 6 January, 6-10pm, and Saturday 7 January, 4-10pm.
Email me [email protected] so travel plans and details can be finalised please.
Elite & Under 19 Track Nationals
We are hosting these at the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 of February. Can all expressions of interest to represent Southland and your event preferences please be emailed to me [email protected] so the selectors can start co-ordinating team details in our quest to retain the National Points Shield for a record 10th year. Entries will close early in the New Year. We will be circulating a newsletter about the event before Christmas.
Age Group Track Champs
These are being held at the Avantidrome in Cambridge from 15 to 19 March, can we also please have all expressions of interest to [email protected] with your age group and preferred events please.
Club Racing Night
At a recent coaches meeting, there was robust debate around the track schedule for the next period heading into the Age Group National Champs, particularly around the club racing night.
Through some good discussion and compromise it’s been agreed that club racing will revert to a Tuesday night but fortnightly, alternating with the existing junior and senior endurance sessions. So one week will be the junior enduro session at 6pm, followed at 7pm by the senior enduro session. The following week will be a club endurance racing night from 6pm for all ages.
The programme for this includes scratch, elimination, and points races and will be developed into some type of a series. Coaches have identified the endurance racing as a particular area that riders need extra work and experience in, particularly ahead of nationals.
This change will be introduced in early 2017.
Club racing on a Friday night will continue until the end of the year and then cease. However, there is an opportunity for that slot to be used for other sessions – they can be booked for specific events as required through the office – or if there is a need for another racing night, that can be explored.
But there’s a desire from all coaches for a unified club racing night so hopefully this will work - but it does need the support of club members to make it a success.
Road Racing
This Saturday is the Rimu Graded race in the continuation of the South Port Points Series. Register online here
Marshalls are Eugene Bonthuys, Josh van den Arend and Tyla Green. View the results after two races
The final Points Series race will be held on 10 December on the Myross Bush circuit.
View the Summer Road Programme which kicks off with the Tuatapere Grass Track Racing on 1 January (great prize money up for grabs too).
The Zookeepers Wednesday Worlds race will be held again tomorrow with a 6pm race start – weather permitting. If cancelled it will be posted on our Cycling Southland Facebook page and via our Sportcheck texting system to those who are subscribed. You can sign up cancellations via text alerts here
Language and behaviour
Just a reminder that there is a club code of etiquette and a high standard of behaviour expected from all club members and also those attending events. I’ve had reports of incidences involving bad language from riders and comments made from the grandstand. This behaviour is unacceptable and any complaints will be taken seriously.
Cycling is a competitive sport but that does not excuse poor behaviour or bad language by anyone involved in our organisation and it will not be tolerated so please be mindful of how you conduct yourself both on and off the bike.
Yunca Junior Tour Kit
A great Christmas present idea for juniors may be easily solved as we have small and medium kit from the Yunca Junior Tour in the office for sale, $50 for tops and shorts each. Pop in and see us if you are interested.
Track Bike Wanted
One of our juniors is after a second hand track bike, approximately size 54. If anyone has anything on offer please let me know at the office and I will pass on the details.
Finally, a huge good luck to all our Under 19s who are either racing for Cycling New Zealand or for Southland at the Oceania Track Championships in Melbourne next week. We wish you all the very best and hope you post some fantastic results, which we cannot wait to hear how you all go. Safe travels and go fast everyone!