Wow,
Who would have believed that this year’s SBS Bank Tour of Southland would have had five days out of seven bathed in glorious sunshine – it certainly was one of the more extraordinary tours in its 61 year history!
Huge thank you to the wiling volunteers, who gave up their time to tirelessly help out during this huge week on our cycling calendar and a huge congrats to all the local, national and international riders representing the 18 business teams taking part this year. It was a truly great tour with some very tight racing until the final couple of days. If you haven’t already checked out the great photos, full results and all the televised daily packages and much, much more check it all out
If a couple of people are available to help move the barriers in the lock up please let Bruce know as they are impeding access to the bike storage thank you.
Next up is the Southland Track Champs, combined with a Paracycling points qualifying event from Friday 1 to Sunday 3 December. The online entry and programme are being finalised and will be live on the home page of the website tomorrow
The session will run from Friday night, and the mornings on Saturday and Sunday until the programme is finished in the afternoons.
Make sure you enter online by the closing date posted as there will be a late entry fee imposed.
Once again we will be after one last push for helpers at the event, so if you can lend a hand please let me know when you would be available thank you very much.
Demonstration Riders Wanted
We have the opportunity to provide some demonstration track races on Wednesday 15th November for the national Careers conference being hosted in Invercargill.
The short programme would involve the following events:
6.45pm - Flying lap x 2 riders
6:55pm - Keirin
7.05pm - Elimination
7.15pm - Team sprint
7:25pm - Scratch Race
We would appreciate approximately 20 division 1 U15, U17, U19 riders to take part.
Please contact me at the office by Friday 3rd November if you are able to assist. A small group of adults to assist with being handlers etc would also be appreciated.
Club Catch Up
Calling all current and yesteryear cyclists, supporters and sponsors. Catch up with all your old cycling mates and enjoy a three-course meal with guest speakers at the Ascot Park Hotel this Sunday 12 November at 6.30pm. Get your tickets from McLeay Jewellers or phone Tony 217 4920, Ray 217 1830 or Trevor 214 4531.
Track Sessions
Tonight will be an Open Club Roll from 6-7pm, followed by Endurance Squad – bring your aero bars.
Novice racing for riders of all ages wanting more experience will be held the next three Friday nights from 6-7.30pm – just $6 or one tick of your concession card.
Road Racing
Zookeepers Wednesday Worlds returns again tomorrow night – registration 6pm for 6.30pm race start. Entry $5 and all ages and grades are welcome.
This Saturday is a Bunch Ride from the Velodrome car park with assembly at 1pm and the distance will be confirmed dependent on numbers.
King House Removals Race Series
Another hugely successful eight-week race series came to a close on Saturday night with the final jersey winners and winners trophies presented at the conclusion of racing. Huge congrats to all involved and the over winners. A huge thank you to the Willis Family for coming on board as new sponsors this year. View the full results here
ILT Schools Sports Awards
Major well done to all our worthy finalists named for the sports awards on Friday night and a massive congrats to Corbin Strong who was named senior male Sportsman of the Year, along with Rhylee Akeroyd and Mitchel Fitzsimons who were named Junior Female and Junior Male sports people of the year – top effort to you all.
Incidents and Behaviour
Unfortunately, I have to bring up some business today. We hope you all discuss this with your children going forward and I do hope the person/s responsible for an incident involving a wheelchair and a Stadium office window on Saturday night during the final race series will own up and come forward. We are sure we can identify the rider number correctly with a little enhancement so please put your hand up and come and see us thank you.
This sadly, is just another example of a number of incidents again lately where property is not being respected and some silly moment can easily turn bad when damage or injury is caused. This includes damage at a venue hired by us recently, swivel chairs being raced under the track and people who are generally not meant to be under the track going there (this area is for people to collect or return their bikes in storage only and is NOT a play area for anyone!).
Also a general note please stop leaving rubbish down in the ‘D’ area. Please put your rubbish in the bins provided!
That is the end of my formal business bit.
Soooo, please all have a wonderful week ahead, keep your training on track for the Southland Champs and keep smiling – it makes people wonder what you are up to!