Gidday team. Another big week at home and abroad with a fantastic club race at Waianawa, more great results internationally, the culmination of our Lone Star/Speights Corporate Roller Racing Challenge and the end of broken night’s sleep with the finish of the Tour de France. Any idea how we could light up the water tower at the end of our Tour like the Arc de Triomphe?
Now on to your weekly run-down of all things Cycling Southland …
Junior Worlds Boys start their European campaign with a Bang!
The NZ team embarked on the final part of their build up to the Junior World Champs (which are in Glasgow, Scotland in August), with some Belgium Kermesse racing. Kermesse’s are short circuit races, usually reasonably flat and extremely fast, and are extremely popular in Belgium – well suited to the strong track riders that come out of New Zealand. And indeed, the Kiwi boys featured in both of their first two races. You can read about their latest results here.
Road Race this weekend at Woodstock
After an awesome day of racing at Waianiwa last weekend (you can read about it here: http://www.cyclingsouth.org.nz/index.php?pageLoad=220&itemId=988 ), this weekend, the road race is a handicap race around the Woodstock Circuit, starting/finishing at Mabel Bush Hall. Enter by Thursday 25th at 12pm, or incur a late entry fee. It takes a bit of work getting marks sorted for Handicap Races, so please make sure you enter on time! You can enter online here.
Junior Road Skills
After a false alarm last weekend (I forgot we had a double banger of racing on Saturday), we will be starting a Junior Road Skills Programme prior to Saturday Road Racing this week – Saturday 27th. The plan will be to meet at 12pm at the racing venue (this week at Mabel Bush Hall), and spend some time going over a skill / set of skills in different groups of ability. We are also still looking for some Senior Riders interested in helping out with the Junior Road Skills Programme. It is a lot of fun and very rewarding, and coaching information sheets are supplied. Get into it! Contact Dale if you are keen [email protected]
Tour of Southland Volunteers
Have you ever thought that you would like to become a Volunteer on the Tour of Southland Cycle Race and didn’t know how to go about it? The Tour of Southland is on the lookout for extra volunteers to assist with the 2013 Tour. If you are interested in lending your support to this proud and iconic Southland sporting event click for more information and to register.
Track Racing
We are well underway with our Senior and Junior Track Racing, with Senior Racing on Tuesdays (from 7-8pm in the build-up to the Corporate Pursuit) and for Juniors on Fridays from 6-8pm. Read all about the racing and results from last week here: Senior Track Racing and Junior Track Racing.
WHK Corporate Pursuit
Good luck to our 8 finalists competing in tomorrow night’s Lone Star Speights Corporate Roller Racing Final. Based off the times we have witnessed over the past four weeks we are in for another great competition when all the teams take on the boards of the SIT Zero Fees Velodrome as part of this year’s WHK Corporate Pursuit. Check out the finalists and programme for Wednesday here.
It’s now an official “even” 30 teams competing in this unique upcoming event as we welcome on board the team from the Colac Bay Tavern. Our new comers will be first off in the race against the clock at 12:25pm on the 4th August. With the top 16 teams from time trial day battling out division 1 honours and the remaining 14 teams competing for the division 2 honours on the 11th August.
A reminder to all teams that this Friday is your last chance to purchase any extra prize giving tickets at $30 per person. Please contact the Cycling Southland office for details.
We still have the $20 membership available to competitors in this years event, again contact the office for details.
Thanks again to all those that have offered to assist on either of the race days. Further information will be sent out to each of you in the near future. Again if there are any others who wish to volunteer on either the 4th or 11th August then please contact either of the event directors Julian Ineson or Sier Vermunt.
We look forward to seeing plenty of support down at the Lone Star tomorrow night starting at 7:00pm
WHK Corporate Pursuit Spin Class
Looking to compete this year in the WHK Corporate Pursuit but finding your fitness is lacking? Then come along to the YMCA Invercargill WHK Corporate Pursuit Spin Classes! These classes are specially designed for track cyclists and led by a track cyclist to help get your legs, lungs and technique up to speed!!! These half hour high intensity classes will run from 7.10pm Tuesday and Thursday nights and are just $4 per rider, running through till 8 August 2013. So come along and take your fitness to the next level! Bookings essential - Please call the YMCA Ph: 218 2989
Junior Camp
This year the camp is at Tuatapere from August 23rd – 25th. It will be awesome few days of fun and training, and we strongly encourage all Juniors who have road bikes to come along. If you don’t have a road bike but you’re keen to go, talk to Dale and we can try and organise one for you! Those attending need to fill in the consent form – which you can find here, and return it to Andrea Hope (details on the form). As with other years, U19 riders are welcome to come along to help out. Really looking forward to seeing you all for a great weekend!
Dale MacDonald & Cycling Southland team