Update from Simon March 2014

Created on Tuesday, 11 March 2014 11:48

SIMON VAN VELTHOOVEN

World Champs 2014, Colombia

Coke Country
Colombia is the world's largest producer of cocaine, controlling 80% to 90% of the global market.
The boom years began in the early 1980s. The Medellín Cartel, led by Mr Pablo Escobar, became the principal mafia, and its bosses lived in freedom and luxury. They even founded their own political party, held congressional seats, established two newspapers and financed massive public works and public housing projects. By 1983 Escobar's personal wealth was estimated to be US$2 billion, making him one of the richest criminals in the world.
The war against cocaine became bloody in August 1989, when the drug lords gunned down Luis Carlos Galán, the leading Liberal contender for the 1990 presidential election. The government retaliated with the confiscation of nearly 1000 cartel-owned properties, and announced a new extradition treaty with the US. The drug traffickers responded by declaring an all-out war on the government and assassinating any politician who supported the extradition treaty. Their campaign of terror included burning the farms of politicians and detonating bombs in banks, newspaper offices, political party headquarters and private homes. In November 1989, the cartels bombed an Avianca flight headed from Bogotá to Cali, killing all 107 on board.
Today's Colombia is thankfully far from what it once was and is now a vibrant colourful place that loves all sport mainly football, cycling and inline speed skating. After travelling there 4 times now for previous World Cups and last week's World Champs I can say it's a great place to race. But I still would not go anywhere at night by myself.  One of the excellent things about hotels in South America is the fresh fruit everyday from local suppliers, sometimes from stalls just off the street.  I think we all came home in 'better condition' because once you get a taste on fresh Paupau or Watermelon it's hard to stop.

Team Sprint, World Champions

After a hectic month long build up, the team to race was still not named until 3 days before competition.  This is because the hardest thing being a power athlete is how up and down your condition is and it is so important to time it perfectly so that your hitting maximum power numbers the week leading into a pinnacle event. 
Being part of the squad I knew that whoever rode was going to do well but to see them all step up to beat the best in the world knowing you had a major part in it made it that much more satisfying. We came close to winning last year so to win in great fashion against the current world record holders Germany made it an even better victory. 
There is a good feeling within the team as we continue our road to Rio. The season was extremely long and hard yakkar with all the northern hemisphere trips for UCI qualifying races we had to do.  
After seeing the end of the season I can now understand how a competitive enthusiastic environment breeds success, you can not do these things on your own by yourself day in day out. 
The riders in a team will decide a year out whether they want to win a world title or not and the competitiveness within the team will get those titles. Bloody hell it's a high stress environment, but you just stay cool headed and control what's under your control.
Keirin- You have probably all read it in the media, I got disqualified in the semi for a minor infraction that had no effect on the outcome of the race. No warnings no relegation no restarts. Utter bullshit. I wasn't angry at the commasaires, more surprised because it's the first time in history that anyone's been pulled up with that infraction. Oh well, try and win it again next year. 
Kilo TT, Bronze- I'm starting to get sick of these bronzes. It's time I started bloody winning. This is my 3rd medal in the kilo but I must remind myself this years winner Francois Pervis is 31 and didn't get on the podium until he was 27 so i must be doing sometsomething right. I just remind myself that 'good things take time and your turn will come, but keep on your toes and don't keep doing what you've always done'.

This week we have our national champs so get to Cambridge and see us all in the action including the new World Champions. After those champs I'll be putting my feet up until I leave for Japan in early April.
Another big year coming up with the Commonwealth Games in there so as always it's exciting times ahead!

Regards,
Simon van Velthooven
New Zealand Sprint Cyclist
World, Commonwealth, Olympic Medalist
Proud Volkswagen Ambassador

The Raetihi Gutbuster

Created on Tuesday, 11 March 2014 08:06

The Raetihi Gutbuster (April 20 - Easter Sunday) is a fun way to experience the scenery and history of the Raetihi - Pipiriki road that lies between the Tongariro and Whanganui National Parks. Starting outside the Waimarino Museum in Raetihi, it's an out and back course with options to suit most. The 18k has been completed by a six year old, even though it has a sharp 2km climb before the turnaround. The 50km is always hotly contested by local riders and out of towners, even though it's a 'fun ride'. The road is sealed all the way. Pipiriki is 89 metres above sea level, Raetihi is 575m, so the second half is mostly uphill and gives the Gutbuster it’s name.

There is also a 25km 'downhill' ride which means people can enjoy the road but get a bus back to Raetihi without having to ride the 25km uphill section.  This option is limited to 20 riders. 

Great Spot Prizes include Mt Ruapehu Season Passes, and Jet boat trips to the Bridge to Nowhere. The start and finish area at the Museum has a market day atmosphere with cake stalls, bbqs and coffee vendors.

For more info and entry forms contact Lucy Conway 06 385 3123, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , or check out www.rideruapehu.com

BikeManawatu Rider’s Track Nationals Medal Success

Created on Monday, 10 March 2014 08:18

Well done to the WCNI team that last week competed at the National Track age group champs in Invercargill. The Bike Manawatu riders that came away with medals is outstanding and our congratulations go to all of the team.

Individual Events

Michaela Drummond, Women’s Under 17yrs

GOLD - 2000m Individual Pursuit

GOLD – 5km Scratch Race

GOLD - 7.5km Points Race

SILVER – Sprint

BRONZE - 500m Time Trial

Campbell Stewart, Men’s Under 17yrs

GOLD - 500m Time Trial

GOLD – 2000m Individual Pursuit

GOLD – Sprint

GOLD – 10km Points Race

SILVER – 7.5km Scratch Race

Carne Groube, Men’s Under 17 years

BRONZE - 2000m Individual Pursuit

Megan Blatchford-Peck, Master’s Women 45yrs+

GOLD - 500m Time Trial

GOLD - 2000m Individual Pursuit

John Stewart, Master’s Men 45-54 years

SILVER - 2000m Individual Pursuit

Team Events

Women’s Under 17yrs Team Sprint

SILVER - Michaela Drummond, Emily Shearman

Women’s Under 17yrs 3000m Team’s Pursuit

BRONZE – Michaela Drummond, Emily Sherman, Libby Arbuckle, Simone Davie

Men’s Under 17yrs 4000m Team’s Pursuit

SILVER – Campbell Stewart, Carne Groube, Cody Simpson, Chris Denholm

For full details of results visit http://www.cyclingsouth.org.nz/index.php?pageLoad=411

2014 Zarraffa’s Oceania Road Championships Report from George Roberts

Created on Friday, 07 March 2014 21:29

On the 30^th of January, I was thrilled to be told I would represent New Zealand as part of the squad to race in Toowoomba, Australia, on the 21^st-23^rd of February. We all arrived to a humid day in Brisbane before the two hour drive to our final destination in Toowoomba on the Wednesday, two days before race day. Thursday was a chance to get some valuable course literacy under our belts which would prove vital for the 25km ITT on the following day.

The time trial course was certainly a strong man’s course. My placing of 31^st was disappointing, even though falling sick just a few days beforehand had affected me negatively. Staying positive and making the most out of the trip was the new goal in mind. Jake Marryatt came an impressive 6^th place with Corbin Mason-Smith coming in just behind at 7^th place. Alex West was 34^th after unfortunate difficulties with equipment. The girls’ squad had a very successful time trial and saw Madison Farrant coming 2^nd, Amanda Jamieson coming 3^rd and Elizabeth Stannard, 7^th.

Read more: 2014 Zarraffa’s...

A great start for WCNI riders at Age Group track Nationals

Created on Friday, 07 March 2014 10:41

Palmerston North rider Campbell Stewart has continued his dominance at the national Age Group Track Cycling Champions this week.

As a first year under-17 rider in 2013, Stewart almost swept his events, taking gold in the individual pursuit, scratch, points and sprint, and helping his West Coast/North Island team to victory in the team pursuit and team sprint.

The only title that eluded him was the 500m time trial, where he finished second behind Lewis Eccles.

Already this week, Stewart has banked the time trial gold he missed out on last year, and last night's 2000m individual pursuit.

"It's been pretty good, Southland always puts on a good week," Stewart said.

"I got a few medals last year and I wanted to keep that going this year [but] it's a long week and anything can happen." Stewart's father is an ironman competitor and he followed his sister Kate into cycling at a young age.

He hopes to make a New Zealand road team being selected for a trip to Australia this year and also has ambitions for the track.

"Short term I'd like to go to junior worlds and then onto the worlds and maybe the Olympics," he said.

A Year 11 pupil at top cycling school Palmerston North Boys' High, Stewart has been inspired by the BikeNZ track team at the world championships in Colombia last week.

Olympic riders like Aaron Gate, Simon van Velthooven and Jesse Sergent are amongst his heroes.

"All week I was getting updates and then watching it when I got home from school. Seeing those sprint boys getting that gold just made it more realistic and made you feel like it can happen." New Zealand under-19 coach Ross Machejefski said Stewart was showing the sort of speed which New Zealand teams pursuit riders Pieter Bulling and Dylan Kennett displayed as they went through the age groups a couple of years ago.

"At this stage he could be sprint or endurance, it could go either way but he's probably leaning towards endurance." Stewart will be in line for selection in the New Zealand under-19 team for the Oceania championships in Adelaide in October, Machejefski said.

Meanwhile, Southland's Erin Criglington got a chance to wear her masters world championship rainbow jersey in front of her home crowd when she defended her national W1 individual pursuit title.

Criglington improved on her morning qualifying time by a second but was still about a second outside of her own New Zealand record in the final.

Wanaka's Ellesse Andrews continued an impressive first national championship, having only taken up track riding at the end of last year.

She added a bronze in the W17 individual pursuit last night to the silver she won in the 500m time-trial on Wednesday.

The national age-group championships continue until Sunday.

Today's programme, which starts from 10am and again from 6.30pm tonight, includes more individual pursuiting and the final events in the under-19 men's and women's omnium.

Day two results: W2 2000m individual pursuit: Megan Blatchford (WCNI) 1; Shona McGrath (Can) 2; Sonya Barton (Sld) 2.55.623 3.

W1 2000m individual pursuit: Erin Criglington (Sld) 2.33.769 1; Kylea Gough (Sld) 2; Nicola Stevens (Sld) 3.

W17 2000m individual pursuit:Michaela Drummond (WCNI) 2.38.271 1; Madeleine Park (Akl) 2.40.957 2; Ellesse Andrews (Sld) 2.40.876 3.

M17 2000m individual pursuit: Campbell Stewart (WCNI) 2.19.795 1; Tom Sexton (Sld) 2.24.377 2; Carne Groube (WCNI) 2.23.932 3.

W15 5km points race: Sophie Boxham (WCNI) 1; Jenna Merrick (Akl) 2; Samantha Ogle (Can) 3.

M15 7.5km points race: Corbin Strong (Sld) 1; Jamie Leitch (Akl) 2; George Jackson (Wel) 3.

M3 7.5km points race: Neil Familton (Sld) 3; Graham Bunn (WBP) 2; Ray Robinson (Sld) 3.

M2 15km points race: Garry Smith (Sld) 1; Craig Scott (Can) 2; Brett Slater (Akl) 3.

M1 20km points race:Reon Park (MSC) 1; Stu Crooks (Ota) 2; Andrew Lienert (Sld) 3.

Clark Cup Wairarapa

Created on Friday, 07 March 2014 10:30

Entries for this year’s Clark Cup are open.  The event will be held on Sunday 30^th March on the same Wainuioru course used last year.  It is a great course for keeping an eye on the field and challenging enough to keep everyone honest.  Also with Club Nationals a few weeks later excellent preparation.

Please fill in the attached entry form and get back to me by whatever means suits you by Wednesday 28^th March with your entry fee.

A course description will be available on the club website soon – www.athleticsmasterton.org.nz

Whanganui Night of the Stars photos

Created on Friday, 07 March 2014 09:57

  
Photos thanks to Kirsty Kaihau

Read more: Whanganui Night...

Wednesday time trial results week 5

Created on Thursday, 06 March 2014 14:45

“Only mad dogs and Englishman go out in the midday sun” Not sure if that was a song or just a saying but I do remember that from a long time ago. And another saying is when the going gets tough, the tough get going.

That could certainly be said about the week 5 time trial participants. And the times certainly prove the point. Discussion on the start line was about planing across the water and the theory certainly proved to be true with nearly everyone improving their times. Although there were tales of pouring with rain in Pahiatua, and bucketing down in Ashhurst it was only drizzle that abated before the start of the time trials.But umbrellas were soon out and at one point when it did stop drizzling and the one umbrella was folded up, it was taken as a bad thing to do and was quickly opened again. Matiu Kaihau came close to beating his course record that he set in 2013.

Next week will be the final night for time trials and the weather will determine whether next weeks results will be used in determining final results. But the way things stand at the moment it will be anyones guess as to who gets top prize. Prizemoney is awarded to financial members. Drinks and a few nibbles will be at prizegiving at the conclusion of next weeks time trials.

Click here for results

All sorted Thanks Manawatu for your generous spirit

Created on Thursday, 06 March 2014 13:44

I  will be visiting NZ in a week’s time and have registered to ride the Manawatu Cycle Classic on 22^nd March. I contacted the organisers quite some time ago to enquire whether they would be able to source a bike for me. So far no luck. I have been in touch with several of the bike shops to enquire about a hire, but all to no avail.

Do any of your members have a bike that they would be willing to lend or hire to me for the day? I am a member of Bicycle NSW and ride a mid-size framed bike (Avanti Monza), and the crossbar to  ground measurement is  approx. 750mm. I am about 166 cms tall. I can bring my own pedals.

REMINDER - GIVE IT A GO CLUB MASTERS AGE GROUPS CHAMPIONSHIPS - 2014

Created on Thursday, 06 March 2014 09:23

Following the earlier posting on our website Masters Age cyclists are now invited to enter the 4 event programme for Masters Age Groups over  March and April 2014. These events are open to all Club members, female and male compete separately, the results of those 35 years of age and over will count towards the Masters Grade and Overall Championships, results outside Masters ages will not count toward any awards. No upper age limit applies and no experience in racing is necessary.

The programme for the 4 x events over 3 separate days follows (this info is also in the Club website calendar):

• Sunday 23rd March 2014, 9.00 AM, venue Feilding Velodrome, Track Events - Sprint, 200 metres and Individual Pursuit, 2000 metres (5 x laps).
• Sunday 6^th April 2014, 9.00 AM, venue start in Salisbury Street, Ashhurst and finish at top of the Saddle Road - Hill Climb, 6 km..
• Saturday 29th March 2014,9.00am venue Rongotea - Individual Time Trial, 20 km to be held as part of Saturday club racing.

Read more: REMINDER - GIVE...

Final event of 33 Days of Cycling 2014

Created on Wednesday, 05 March 2014 14:26

The final event was held on Sunday 2nd March and consisted of a treasure hunt with a difference. It just happened to be International Childrens Day so what better way to celebrate the final of 33 days than to create an event that enabled kids to be out with their families.

Registration for the event was at the Childrens playground at the Esplanade. Participants were given a treasure map (until the maps ran out) and instructed to go to each of the “X”’s marked on the map to complete a task before returning to see if they could collect some treasure. The first X was where they had to ride in a straight line along a fire hose and then over a seesaw. This showed control and balance. Then they were off to the next of the X’s – tasks. Greg Baker was in charge of the X just next to the Fitzherbert Bridge. Here participants needed to ride to a point collect a drink bottle, then ride to another point and fill the drink bottle, then ride to the point where they could empty the contents of the drink bottle in to a cup and have a drink and then ride to the finish point to return the drink bottle. On such a warm day I am sure that they all appreciated their drink.

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Renewing your membership

Created on Wednesday, 05 March 2014 13:51

The instructions for renewing your membership have been updated.

All memberships need to be renewed according to the Constitution by 31st March.

Click here to be taken to the page about renewing your membership.

Or post a cheque with a note detailing any changes, eg address, email, phone no.

to

Secretary,

Bike Manawatu

P O Box 797

Palmerston North

or pay direct to the Bank Account 01 0745 0284925 00 and state in the description your name and “SUB”

Elite and U19 Oceania Road Cycling Championships, Queensland, Australia.

Created on Tuesday, 04 March 2014 07:42

Three Bike Manawatu riders were selected by BikeNZ to compete at the Oceania Cycling Championships; George Roberts, Alex West, and me, Lizzie Stannard.

We flew out of Palmerston North Airport on the 19^th February with two bike boxes and a suitcase each bound for Toowoomba in South East Queensland.

Both the individual time-trial and the road race were centered around Toowoomba, a large city situated on top of the Great Dividing Range about 2 hours drive west of Brisbane.

The time-trial was held in an Australian version of Ashhurst called Nobby, only much smaller and dirtier. The course was made up of a series of rolling hills and false flats, of which the U19 women completed 13 km and the U19 men 25 km.

The day of the time trial dawned with a slight breeze, and a classic Australian summers day (ie: hot), which did not bode well for our team issue long-sleeved skin suits. The girls started off first, and after minor stresses that included getting our helmets checked for the Australian Standards sticker, everyone was off. Only 10 girls started, of which three were New Zealanders. The race was won by Alexandra Manly (South Australia) (also won bronze at the World TT Champs last year) and the two New Zealand girls were 2^nd (Madison Farrant) and 3^rd (Amanda Jamieson), and I rolled home in 7^th. The boys performed well, but were not up to the high standard the girls had set earlier in the day. Alex and George were both slightly sick to begin with, and Alex managed to top that off by riding into a ditch in the first 5 km (don’t ask). He ended up 34^th and George 31^st out of 37 starters.

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Board Profile–Marcel Hollenstein

Created on Tuesday, 04 March 2014 07:35

Growing up in Switzerland gave me a solid base to be involved in a number of different sports –cycling was something I did for cross training purposes to balance my competitive running. Funny enough I never competed in a bike race in Switzerland – looking back now I wish I did of course!

It wasn’t for some decades and after I settled in NZ (and Palmerston North) that the cycling bug got hold of me. First I simply rode to stay fit, then I started to train “a bit” to keep up with the other Masters riders and in 2001 I did rather well in the Lake Taupo challenge with 4hr19min. After that I got hooked on road and track racing and trained a bit more! One of the highlights was the World Masters Games in Edmonton (Canada) where I sprinted to a Bronze medal in the road race. I also went to Manchester twice for the Masters Track World Championship – an amazing event and memories I will cherish.

In 2003, I completed a commisaires course as a way of supporting the club and cycling. Over the years I started to help other cyclists with some training advice and in 2012 I finished the coaching course offered by BikeNZ. Currently I assist a handful of junior riders with their training needs, something I thoroughly enjoy.

I work at the Fonterra Research Centre here in Palmerston North as the Maintenance and Development manager.

I hope I can pass some of my knowledge and passion on to many within the Club and the wider community in the Manawatu. It’s a fantastic sport – where you alone set the limits!

Saturday Akers Rd Race Results 1 March 2014

Created on Monday, 03 March 2014 15:32

It was pleasing to see the number of riders increasing week on week for the Saturday club races. And even more pleasing to see a good number of D grade riders. For the Akers Rd circuit the D grade riders were asked to complete 3 laps a total of 22km with c grade completing 4 laps and B grade completing 5 laps. The first lap was completed in less than 12 mins by a small bunch of B grade riders including  Cameron Huston, Andrew McKenzie, Toshi and Andy and Adam Martin  who was a C grade rider that was hanging on to the lead bunch. They were quickly followed by Tom Pirie and Nigel Doyle. The wind along the back straight was picking up which was sure to make the coming laps interesting especially for anyone that was dropped. Less than a minute back was Greg Baker the first of the D graders followed by Max Taylor and Kelly Levin and Peita Ransom, Fergus Washington-Smith and Michael Richmond clearing the line for the first time in 15mins.The lap times were to remain pretty consistent throughout the race but a split on lap 2 had Cameron Huston crossing the line 1 minute ahead of the chasing bunch of 4. Cows crossing the road on the back straight had little effect on the lead group and the dry matter that was warned of in the race briefing was notably moister as the riders crossed the path of the cow crossing. Cameron was able to maintain his lead in the front eventually making it across the finish line in 1hour 1 min and 57 secs nearly a 2 minute gap back to the chasing bunch. First of the c grade riders was Adam Martin and first of the D grade was Greg Baker.

Thanks to the helpers on the day, marshals Julie Washington-Smith, Kirsty Levin, Linley McKenzie and the bell ringers Charlotte and Emily

Results below.

Read more: Saturday Akers Rd...