Hi everyone and wow, the euphoria and fatigue have both set in big time after that truly fantastic Elite & Under 19 Track National Championships!
So here’s a message from the top:
What a fantastic event our organisation put on last week! An awesome effort by all those involved - and a great crowd turnout to all sessions was rewarded by some super racing.
A big congratulations to all our riders who competed. Not only were your performances outstanding - and a big congrats to those who made the podium or produced a PB - but the way in which you conducted yourselves was mentioned to me several times. Many thanks to Alan Strong for managing the team and to the coaches who all helped our riders do so well.
A big thank you to our local commissaires who gave up their time to do what is often a challenging job. The manner in which the event ran is a tribute to their work on the day.
But the biggest thank you must go to our blue-shirted volunteers who kept everything behind the scenes ticking over in a relaxed and fun manner. It was certainly noticed by members of the Cycling NZ team and I've had great feedback from them.
Many thanks to Graham Sycamore and Ray Robinson for your guiding hands in the planning process.
I'm keen to hear feedback on the event - if you thought there was something that could have been tweaked or improved, I'd love to hear from you. Flick me an email or give me a call.
Finally, I'm in the process of confirming dates for the 2018 Elites and Age Group champs that we will host early next year and once they're officially confirmed, will let you know.
Mark Hotton
Track Sessions
So post track nationals we are now back into the swing of a full track schedule with a vengeance and all sessions return to normal, including Wheelers and Flyers, Track Start and Lunch Rolls. There is one exception and that is Secondary Schools Students on Tuesdays from 5-6pm which will restart once the school camps are tidied up. We will let you know when it’s back on. Check out the track schedule here
Road Racing
This Saturday is the Middle Pub 54km handicap. Assembly is the Central Pirates Rugby ground for a 10.30am start. Social and junior riders will be 22km and start from the Hedgehope Fire Station. Register online now
Meanwhile the Waikaka Special scheduled for 25 February will now swap with the Lawn Mowing & Garden Maintenance Specialists two-stage race on 11 March, due to a clash with the Calder Stewart Benchmark Series
Oceania Road Cycling Champs
These championships will be held from 9-11 March 2017 in Canberra, ACT, Australia.
ENTRIES:
Entries are available online below or through the attached manual entry form. Entries close 26 February.
https://eventdesq.sportstg.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=main&EventDesqID=22101&OrgID=4912
COURSES:
Draft Course are available here http://act.cycling.org.au/News/All-News/Road/oceania-road-championships-2017-draft-courses Note: These courses are pending approval from authorities.
DRAFT PROGRAMME:
Thursday 9 March - Individual Time Trial (all categories)
Friday 10 March - U19 Women, U23 Women and Elite Women
Saturday 11 March - U19 Men, U23 Men and Elite Men
Zookeepers Wednesday Worlds
Racing is on again tonight 6pm assembly at Tisbury School for 6.30pm. All levels welcome, just $5 so head along. Also don’t forget about the women’s grade either.
Finally huge congrats to Eddie Dawkins, Tarsh Hansen and Tom Sexton who have been named in the Cycling New Zealand team to compete at the UCI World Cup in Los Angeles later this month. Good luck team. Read more here
Have a great remainder of your week everyone and enjoy the sunshine when it’s out.