I believe that children are our future … was sung by the late great Whiney Houston.  And ok, she may not have been talking about cycling, and perhaps to call Under 23 riders children might also be a bit of a stretch – but boy did the younger riders of New Zealand put on a great show at the Elite Road Nationals in Napier over the weekend of 4-6 January.

Bike Manawatu was well represented in the Under 23 age group by the following riders: Joel Yates, Carne Groube, Madi Hartley-Brown, Alex West, Thomas Stannard, Michaela Drummond, Connie O’Brien, Libby Arbuckle and Emily Shearman.  We also had one Elite rider Winston Briggs.

The Bike Manawatu Board would like to congratulate all of our riders for their efforts and results, however, we feel that the following results deserve a special mention:

Joel Yates was 3^rd in the Men’s U23 Road Race, after a solid 5^th place in the Men’s U23 TT 2 days prior

Michaela Drummond was 3^rd in the U23 Women’s Road Race

Libby Arbuckle was 3^rd in the Women’s U23 TT, and also competed in the Women’s U23 Road Race the following day finishing 11th, ​Libby also won the KOM Jersey in the Women's Elite Road Race.

Connie O’Brien, while her placing was 7^th in the Women’s U23 Road Race, she was unlucky in the bunch sprint for 3^rd place and finished less than 1 second behind the 3^rd place getter – so close to the podium.

Alex West was 7^th in the Men’s U23 Time Trialand also won the sprint jersey in the Men's Elite Road Race

Carne Groube finished 10^th in the Men’s U23 Time Trial, and followed this up with 8^th in the Men’s U23 Road Race

Some fantastic racing and results from the youth members of our club, who all did us proud.  Please join with us in celebrating their successes.

Meanwhile, across the ditch Robert and Lizzie Stannard raced in the Australian Road National Championships. Lizzie was 4th in the U23 Road Race and has gained a contract this year with Gusto Step FWD. Robert was riding for his Mitchelton Scott team supporting Cam Meyer who finished 3rd.

This is a clear indication of why Bike Manawatu needs to continue to develop and invest in our Youth – and also recognition of the hard work that our parents put in the Manawatu Schools Cycling.  One day these members will become our Masters members, and pass their skills and knowledge down to future cyclists.