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- Written by Cycling New Zealand
IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT TRAMADOL BAN
From 1 March 2019, in‐competition use of tramadol will be banned by the UCI across all disciplines. This new regulation, which is being introduced for medical reasons, allows for penalties to be imposed if the rules are broken.
*You would have received an email if you are a licenced member of Cycling New Zealand
What is Tramadol?
Tramadol is a painkiller in the synthetic opioid category. It is frequently used by cyclists, as shown by the findings of the World Anti‐Doping Agency (WADA)'s monitoring programme since 2012. In particular in the 2017 survey:
- 4.4% of in‐competition tests on cyclists showed the use of tramadol;
- 68% of urine samples – taken from across 35 Olympic sports – containing tramadol were from cyclists.
What are the side effects of Tramadol?
The use of tramadol can have two types of side‐effect: nausea, drowsiness and loss of concentration (increasing the risk of race crashes), and gradual dependence on the substance with a risk of developing an addiction.
Tramadol is available on prescription, but is also freely available on the internet, which increases the risk of uncontrolled self‐medication.
In light of the risks associated with its use in competitive cycling, and in accordance with the UCI Management Committee decision of June 2018, the UCI Medical Regulations will ban in‐competition use of tramadol. The regulations will be published on the UCI website shortly.
What is the purpose of the ban?
The ban is based on a desire to reduce the risk of crashes, and that of drug dependency, among riders.
The new regulation will come into force on 1 March 2019. Any rider taking part in an event registered on a national or international calendar may be chosen to provide a blood sample as a test for tramadol.
Testing will take place in‐competition, after races, across all disciplines and categories.
This will be managed by the UCI's Medical Director, with logistical and personnel support from the Cycling Anti‐Doping Foundation (CADF).
How will the test be conducted?
Testing will take place in-competition, in particular but not only at the end of the races.
The sample collection is not invasive and will be conducted using a sampling kit to collect a limited amount of blood from the rider's fingertip.
This will be managed by the UCI's Medical Director, with logistical and personnel support from the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF).
Like in anti-doping, avoiding a tramadol test will be treated as a positive test.
What method will be used?
Dried blood droplets will be tested for presence of Tramadol, using a high‐precision analysis technique. Positive or negative results will depend on the presence or absence of the substance in the blood (there is no threshold). The sample will be collected by the Cycling Anti-Doping Foundation (CADF} in parallel with its anti doping testing.
The analysis will be carried out in a reference laboratory, with the results sent to the UCI Medical Director within a maximum of 4‐5 days.
What are the penalties?
Rider penalties
- A first offence committed by a rider will be penalised with disqualification from the event, alongside all resulting consequences (loss of medals, points and prize money). In addition, a fine of CHF5,000 will be imposed if the rider is a member of a UCI‐registered team. In all other cases, the fine will be CHF1,000.
- A second offence will result in disqualification from the event and a five‐month suspension. If a further offence is committed, a nine‐month suspension will be incurred.
Team penalties
- If two riders belonging to the same UCI‐registered team commit an offence within a period of 12 months, the team will be fined CHF10,000. If a further offence is committed within the same 12‐month period, the team will be suspended for a period of between 1 and 12 months, to be determined by the UCI Disciplinary Commission.
Please note this does not replace any testing done by Drug Free Sport New Zealand, and is conducted by the CADF independently of Drug Free Sport New Zealand. Drug Free Sport New Zealand will continue with their normal programme.
Further information will be available once the UCI publish their updated medical regulations, which incorporate the Tramadol ban. Cycling New Zealand will send an update when this information is released.
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- Written by Bike Manawatu
Up & Coming Events for week ending 22 February 2019
Sat 23 Feb
BM Race 9 – BM Hill Climb Champs - Please pre-register HERE 
Sun 24 Feb
BikeManawatu Sunday Recreational Ride
Bike Manawatu Track – Feilding – Club 500m TT Champs
Tues 28 Feb
Bike Manawatu Track – Feilding
Wed 27 Feb
Kairanga ITT (Race 3 of 3)
Sat 2 March
BM Race 10 – BM ITT Champs / Mobberly (Masters) Cup – Please pre register HERE 
Sun 2 March
Bike Manawatu Track – Feilding - Club Flying 200m Champs
Tues 5 March
Bike Manawatu Track – Feilding
Thurs 7 March
2019 Vantage Age Group Track National Championships
Fri 8 March
2019 Vantage Age Group Track National Championships
Sat 9 March
2019 Vantage Age Group Track National Championships
Bush Tour
Sun 10 March
2019 Vantage Age Group Track National Championships
BikeManawatu Sunday Recreational Ride
Tues 12 March
BM Race 11 – BM Mid Week Summer Races – Akers Road 
Sat 16 March
Novice Tour 2019
Taranaki Masters Cycling
Sun 17 March
Novice Tour 2019
Taranaki Masters Cycling
BikeManawatu Sunday Recreational Ride
We also have other club key dates
Sun 24 March – Bike Manawatu Track – Feilding – Season Closing
Tues 26 March – BM Race 12 – Akers Road
Sun 14 April– BM Race 13 BM & WCNI Road Race Champs – TBC
Sat 11 May – BM AGM & Road / Track Prizegiving
Sun 19 May – Manfeild 6 Hour Cycle Challenge
- Details
- Written by Michelle Turner
2019–1001- 4 Days In
We are 4 days, 580 kms and over 6000 metres of climbing in to our 7 day, 1001 km and nearly 9000 metres of elevation adventure, and so far it’s been a blast.
Day 1 saw us leave from the Bike Barn in Palmerston North in 3 riding groups, full of anticipation for a great trip. Our support vehicle supplied by Garry Buys of Bike Barn is driven by Neil Vertogen and his wife Jayne - both of whom we can’t thank enough for not only their roadside assistance, but also their help with logistics upon arrival at our destinations - you guys have been amazing - thanks from the whole team.
We headed over the Pahiatua Track, through Mangamaire and Eketahuna, stopping at the wildlife sanctuary for a drink and something to eat. After leaving here, we encountered rain and a nagging headwind (that was to become our faithful companion), and arrived at Carterton for lunch.
By the time we left Carterton, the rain had stopped, but the headwind hadn’t. We travelled on to Featherston and climbed the Rimutaka Hill road in to Upper Hutt, and on to Wellington. Along the way we were treated to some pretty amazing views of the Manawatu, wairarapa and Wellington regions.
We were met by the van at the Intercontinental Hotel in Wellington, where we were able to shower up before having dinner, while they laundered our riding kit. After dinner at the Greenman Pub, we headed to the ferry to board and fund our cabins for the overnight sailing to Picton.
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- Written by Karena Kaihe-Woolston
So good to see such a strong turn out last night for our Club Scratch Race Championships. You all rode with grit, determination & heart to make it such an enjoyable evening. The meeting was made even more special with the incomparable Jack Overweel breaking Campbell Stewart's previous Under 15 Boys, 500m TT Held Start record of 38.8, & setting a new record time of 37.08. From all of us Jack, we congratulate you on such an epic display of sprinting. Our meetings are nothing without our "Track Angels" who take care of everyone, our parents & supporters who do a great deal in getting all our riders ready, & our committee members who help put it all together. I can only see great things in the future for our club, sincerest regards
Read more: Club Scratch Race Championships 2019 Johnston Park, Feilding 19 February, 2019 Results
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- Written by Bike Manawatu
Updated Bike Manawatu Time Trial Records 21 Feb 2019
Last weeks ITT saw 4 new Bike Manawatu records broken
Glenn Kirk M3 4 seconds faster than Steve Stannard's previous record of 0:15:52 set in February 2016
Deb Cuff shaved a whole minute off her previous M6 record 0:22:10 set 14 Feb 2018
Ellen Twiss was 1 minute, 13 seconds faster than the previous open womens record set by Sharen Belk of 0:20:20 on 2 Feb 2016
& Ian Eagle also took out the M1 record by 1 minute, 25 seconds previously held by Mark Waterland of 17:53 on 07th March 2012
Well done to you all! Keep up the great work