Welcome to the end of the first month of the year everyone … and that means that the Vantage Windows and Doors Elite & U19 Track National Championships are about to kick off on Thursday morning at 10am. We have about 140 of the country’s finest track cyclists, along with a small handful of para-cyclists, racing on the boards at 10am and 6.30pm daily, with the final Sunday session at 5pm. View the programme
Once again there will be live commentary each session, results posted online and we are guaranteed some fantastic racing as our Southland team start the bid to secure the National Points Shield for a record 10th consecutive year. You can view everything here
A huge thank you to our so many willing volunteers who are again on board to ensure this is another successful event.
A big request to our members and followers – please come along and support the event. This is the best opportunity to see the fastest riders in the country – we have Olympic medallists, world and junior world champions, and some seriously fast up-and-comers racing on our track. A lot of work goes into hosting the champs and we want to spread the good word about this fantastic event. Bring a friend along and help us create a fantastic atmosphere for all our visiting riders and remind them why this is the best velodrome in the country.
Remember children go free to this event – so bring along the kids and grandkids and watch Eddie Dawkins and his mates hammer it out on our track.
Tuesday Club Racing details
At a recent coaches meeting, it was agreed that club racing would revert to Tuesday night from 7-9pm. It will alternate fortnightly with the current endurance training sessions. Racing will focus on endurance races.
There will be no training or racing on January 31 because we are hosting the track champs. It will then run:
Feb 7: Racing Feb 14: Training
Feb 21: Racing Feb 28: Training
Mar 7: Racing Mar 14: Training
Mar 21: Racing Mar 28: Training
Apr 4: Racing Apr 11: Training
Apr 18 and 25: Track is closed (Anniversary Day and Anzac Day)
Calling all women cyclists!
For five weeks from February 8, we'll be running a Women's Race Series as part of Zookeepers Café Wednesday Worlds, held from Tisbury School each week with racing starting at 6.30pm for just $5.
We want to encourage women to get on their bikes during Aotearoa Bike Challenge Month in a fun and safe environment.
The first 15km lap of the two lap race will be a bunch ride, helping new riders pick up new skills and techniques with racing to take begin on the second lap.
We're asking members to share this to any women recreational riders who might want to have a go at road racing.
More details to come - but please share the date!
Reminder Junior Division Meeting
The next Junior Division meeting will be held next Tuesday 7 February at 7pm. All welcome.
Vital Signs Tour de Lakes
This popular and scenic tour will again be held over the Easter weekend from 14 to 17 April. Download your entry form here
Congratulations
Huge congrats to Kirstie James, Nick Kergozou and Tom Sexton who have all been selected in the 12-strong New Zealand squad to compete at the third World Cup set for Cal, Columbia from 17 to 19 February. Read more here
So on with final preparations for the Elite & U19 Track Nationals we go and if you are looking for something to do come and check out the big guns training all day tomorrow Check out their allocated track times here
Take care and see you at the track later this week