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- Written by Tom Pirie
Catriona and I are going to do some long slow rides again. The first one will be on Sunday the 19th starting from Memorial Park at 7.30am.
This Sunday we are going to do the 80 km Tour De Manawatu course. Anyone is welcome and it would be a good chance for beginners to get a look at the course.
We go as fast as the slowest rider. Riders need to bring everything they might need as there will be no outside support.
Look at the calendar for dates for future long slow rides and where they will be going.
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- Written by Simon van Velthooven
SIMON VAN VELTHOOVEN
Cambridge, New Zealand
Since the Commonwealth Games I was lucky enough to complete the second half of the Keirin season in Japan incident free with no crashes or training injuries.
Japan post Commonwealth Games was an entirely different feeling as I wasn't concerned about training for the games, having to be careful about everything and ultimately avoid crashing; I could race a little more ruthlessly and take a few more chances….
This newsletter update comes with mixed feelings. I had an excellent race win in Ogaki against a number of great Japanese riders, yet it is time to say goodbye to Japan this season, set up shop at the Avantidrome in Cambridge and train my arse off through to Rio, 2016.
However back to Japan and my win in Ogaki - it was a huge milestone for me as it was a dream since getting the initial contract back in 2009 which I remember well as it was on my 21st birthday! To get the 1-1-1 in Ogaki was awesome as it’s bloody hard to get. Many riders get a number of wins, but to get the winning streak is very rare and unheard of.
The following week after the race win I had another great race in Fukui and gave my fellow international rider a lead out and he secured the race win. It was a great battle against two other strong Senko riders which meant I had to start my sprint bloody early and ended up sprinting for around 700m flat out.
After arriving home from Japan I was straight down to Cambridge for New Zealand’s annual Class 1 UCI race meet over the weekend of the 20th September.
I was not expecting much as racing in Japan is like chalk and cheese to the indoor boards however I knew I had some strength in my legs, just not much speed of tactical nous. A mix of Jetlag and lifting boxes into my new pad wasn’t the best build up plan.
The first day was the match sprint and after qualifying in a 10.2 I managed to race my way through the rounds right into the finals and ended up 4th overall being beaten my two Aussies and Sam Webster. The next day was the Keirin which I knew I had some legs for but was absolutely buggered from the full days racing previously. My heat went well but then drew a harder heat and decided I just had to hit it with full steam which I did whilst also riding a bigger gear than usual! After winning the semi the final was going to be a barn burner with all the top NZ and Aussie Keirin riders.
I drew second wheel behind Shane Perkins which I was very happy with as he had great legs coming off racing in Japan like me. Sam and Matt both attacked early and came over but I stuck to my guns and followed Shane who attacked over the last lap and then I punched it over him around the last corner and crossed the line first. Bloody fantastic.
For now I am tucking into a much needed training block from now until the end of the year. It will be a crucial time as it will help me become stronger in the gym and therefore a reliable team sprint rider and not just a Keirin rider.
Regards,
Simon van Velthooven
New Zealand Sprint Cyclist
World, Commonwealth, Olympic Medalist
Proud Volkswagen Ambassador
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- Written by Glenys Taylor
It is that time of the year where stocks of uniform items is at its lowest and a new order is about to be placed.
If the order is placed by the end of October it will be available for Christmas.
If riders are intending on riding at WCNI track champs or National Road cycling champs next year then they will need to wear Bike Manawatu kit. Only a limited number of extra items are ordered so please don’t get upset when we don’t have what you want in stock if you have not bothered to order it now.
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- Written by Glenys Taylor
The windy cold weather didn’t deter all riders on Saturday 4th October. With a limited number of people available to help on the course it was a matter of having Lenka marshal firstly in Ashhurst and then drive back to the turn point for the C grade riders. Stu McKenzie was the marshal at the A & B grade turn. Thanks to these people as without them there would have been no race.
A grade was first off the mark from Colyton School and with a brisk tail wind headed down to Ashhurst before heading back up Valley Rd in to a head wind. There was little shelter offered by being in the valley. At the end of Valley Rd there was already a split in the bunch of 11 A grade riders. Some were swallowed up in the B grade riders as the headed up to the turn point just before the gravel on Finnis Rd. The C grade riders turned at Forlong Rd which was a nice way to extend their race to 40km.
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- Written by Glenys Taylor
The Feilding Track has been a great nursery to develop top track riders, the most famous being Jesse Sergent and Simon Van Velthooven, who have gone on to win the ultimate of Olympic track medals.
In 1999 when Ian Gray, helped by a small dedicated team began to rejuvenate Manawatu Track Cycling, which had reached its lowest support in the last 50 years, track cycling has gradually grown (on the Feilding Track) to be very strong again .
Manawatu riders have won a amazing 86 medals at NZ National Track Championships since 1999.
This includes:
• 29 Gold Medals
• 30 Silver Medals
• 27 Bronze Medals
This has been made possible by both the excellent supportive programme we have had at Feilding and the great work of coaches led by Mike McRedmond and others over recent years.