Happy Tuesday team,
I trust you are all looking forward to a well-deserved Easter break and an extra hour’s sleep when the clocks go back an hour for daylight saving as well. The Cycling Southland Office will be closed from this Friday 30 to Tuesday 3 April (taking in Southland Anniversary Day) and will reopen on Wednesday 4 April – this is in line with the rest of the building tenants. However, the Stadium will be open for business as usual this Saturday only.
A bit to get through again today so we’ll launch right into it.
Stonewood Homes Gore to Invercargill Classic
It was ideal conditions on Saturday and, who would have thought it, but riders actually had a tail wind! Check out the full race report and results Huge congratulations to all who took part and thank you to all who assisted on the day.
Zookeepers Wednesday Worlds
Last race tomorrow 28 March due to daylight saving finishing. 6pm registration for 6.30pm race start at Tisbury School. All ages/grades welcome. $5 entry.
Southland Road Champs
This is the next major road event and is being held on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 April, straight after the Easter break. You can enter online via the online registration form or via the Teamer invite. Check out all the details on the gearings, courses, distances and times.
If anyone can volunteer to help out with marshalling – please contact me at the office. Greatly appreciated thank you!
Price increase
A reminder that as of April 1, there will be an increase in the hourly user charge to $8. Concession cards will go up accordingly – a 12 two-hour session card will be $150 (includes two free sessions) while a 12 one-hour session card will be $80 (includes two free sessions). The cost of a private track hire will go up by $10.
Concession cards already paid for will not be affected by the rise.
Misconduct and poor behaviour
There have been ongoing incidents of poor behaviour by riders, members and parents, that borders on misconduct as defined in the Code of Conduct & Integrity.
It doesn’t matter whether it’s riders sledging other competitors or people criticising volunteer coaches from the stands, this type of behaviour will not be tolerated.
If a rider (junior or senior) has an issue then the rider should discuss their concerns with the coach, or the coaching co-ordinator Sid Cumming.
A new reporting system about misconduct is to be introduced to make it easier for our volunteer coaches to identify issues early and a zero tolerance policy enforced.
All riders and junior parents will soon be asked to sign acknowledgment of receiving the Code of Conduct & Integrity. That can be found here.
Trophy amnesty
Can we ask everyone to have a look on the mantelpiece, in the bookshelf, under the bed and see if you have an old trophy that should have been returned. We’re working on a stocktake of all trophies but it’s already clear that some are yet to be returned. Please drop it back into the office - it doesn't matter how long you've had it - no questions asked.
Squad coaching expressions of interest
Expressions of interest are sought for those interested in volunteering to coach the U15, U17 and U19 riders for the 2018/2019 season. Qualified coaches or aspiring coaches willing to undertake Cycling NZ coach training are sought. These are extremely rewarding opportunities to work with some talented young riders. Please contact the office.
Squad transitioning
Coaches will begin to transition riders through the next age bracket from the start of Term 2. The coaches from both sessions will discuss and agree when riders are to be transitioned through, with all riders expected to be training in the new squads by August 31. Emails will be sent regarding the gearing equipment required, with U17 riders also requiring aero bars.
Track National Skinsuits and Tops
Please ensure you return all cleaned skinsuits and tops that have been hired for the recent Track Nationals back to the office thank you.
Vittoria Corsa Whee
Last Wednesday the day of the schools road champs a Vittoria Corsa wheel was picked up by a member of the public after it dropped off the back or the top of a white van. If it is yours, or you know whose it may be, please let me know.
Finally, it has been a massive week or achievements and events sooooooo…
Junior Worlds
Huge congratulations to Sophie-Leigh Bloxham and Corbin Strong who have been named in the Cycling New Zealand team to compete at the UCI Junior World Track Cycling Championships in Aigle, Switzerland from 15 to 20 August View the full announcement Epic stuff you two and good luck with the lead in to this fantastic event.
School Nationals
Also congratulations go to the Shearing brothers – Conor and Ronan – who represented James Hargest College at the inaugural National School Track Championships in Cambridge just over a week ago. The brothers rode strongly throughout the week with Conor finishing second overall to Angus Claasen in the Under 20 men's individual omnium. Conor finished second in the scratch final, second in the points and third in the keirin. Meanwhile, Ronan finished second in the scratch final, fifth in the points and finished fourth overall in the individual Omnium.
View the full individual results: https://schools.cyclingnewzealand.nz/results
Schools Road Champs
A big ‘hats off’ to all the riders who took part in the Southland-Otago Schools Road Champs last week in some horrendously cold and very wet conditions! More than 70 riders travelled from Otago, Central and the south to take part on a circuit at Fairweather Road and their determination and the quality of racing was outstanding. Check out the results
Vital Signs Tour de Lakes
This weekend is the annual Easter tour again on a new beaut circuit in-and-around the south this year to avoid the holiday traffic in Central. Good luck to all the riders and Tour Manager Allan Dunn and his willing band of merry volunteers. Hope you have great racing and a fun and safe tour again this year after all the hard work and build up to get it prepared.
So Happy Easter everyone – enjoy the break if you are getting the chance to have one and don’t indulge in too much chocolate – make it enough to enjoy though.
Have a safe and happy Easter break – nearly there again – and don’t forget to put your clocks back on Saturday night/Sunday morning.