Cycling New Zealand is proud to present the Kiwivelo Street Race as part of the Vantage Criterium National Championships!
The Kiwivelo Street Race is a competitive race for recreational riders - an opportunity for those who want to experience criterium racing for the first time, or pit themselves against their mates in a fast, furious and exciting race around the streets of Takapuna.
Men and women, young and old, friends and family - entries are open to all (Limited spaces available). Race your mates to the finish line then sit on the sidelines with a beer and a bite to watch the elites showcase their skills!
Are you in?
Entry criteria:
- Open to riders U19 (minimum age is 17 as at 31 December in the year of the race) and over.
- Can demonstrate a level of skill (riding with others and safety navigating sharp turns) and fitness.
- Regularly take part in recreational cycling racing events or bunch rides.
- Hold a current Cycling New Zealand licence (annual) or a Cycling New Zealand Special Event licence (which you can purchase as part of your entry fee).
Men and women, young and old, friends and family - entries are open to all (Limited spaces available). Race your mates to the finish line then sit on the sidelines with a beer and a bite to watch the elites showcase their skills!
Are you in?
Entry criteria:
- Open to riders U19 (minimum age is 17 as at 31 December in the year of the race) and over.
- Can demonstrate a level of skill (riding with others and safety navigating sharp turns) and fitness.
- Regularly take part in recreational cycling racing events or bunch rides.
- Hold a current Cycling New Zealand licence (annual) or a Cycling New Zealand Special Event licence (which you can purchase as part of your entry fee).
For full event information and to enter click here
All Kiwivelo Street Race entrants will receive a race pack valued over $150.
A big thanks to our supporters for providing race packs and prizes.
Stay tuned for our Criterium Tips
Tip #1 - What is a criterium?
A criterium is typically comprised of a short, 2km or less circuit run to a time limit. At the conclusion, a bell rings to denote the final lap and the end of the race. While they don’t need to be technical, criteriums usually involve a number of 180 and 90 degree turns. These challenge the riders concentration and draw on skills seldom used in road racing. In some cases, event organisers arrange ’sprint’ laps or ‘primes’ that reward competitors with secondary prizes. You never know your luck, anything from cash through to household appliances are at stake. This is high paced, spectator friendly racing.
Tip #2 - What does it take to race a crit?
Criterium racing blends power with bunch positioning and bike handling ability. Corners are a defining part of this equation and make the difference between navigating the course effectively and falling off the back. What’s often described as the ‘accordion effect’ refers to a situation where riders exiting the corner stretch the bunch as those entering are still decelerating. Over time energy consumption by those at the back is magnified as they fight to stay with the pack. So then, what’s best practice? Take a look at the video below by former professional and Tour De France green jersey winner Robbie McEwen.
Tip #3 - Race Tactics
Entering with a bit of fitness under the belt is a good start! If all that’s sorted then it’s down to race tactics on the day. How can I best play the event to win? Staying near the front but not on it seems obvious but can be easier said than done. A large part of this is maintaining speed through corners and always fighting to move forward. Get caught at the back and it can be nearly impossible to break the ‘accordion effect’ mentioned in last week’s mailer. A good tip is to catch the wheel of other riders shifting forward on the straights. Try to avoid doing the work yourself, let others take the burden.
Tip #4 - Bike Preparation
All the training and strategy in the world can’t prevent a mechanical however, there’s a lot you can do to minimise the risk! Cleaning your bike is a great place to start. Use a carbon friendly solution to remove any surface dirt. Couple that with degreaser on the chain and you’ll quickly reveal any imperfections on your machine. Ensure your cables have been replaced recently and bolts tightened to their recommended torque. If you haven’t used your race wheels in while it’s wise to check for play in the hubs and the tyre surface quality. For those running tubulars, please assess the bond between the tyre and rim! You’ll never be forgiven for ‘rolling’ a tub. Come in and see us in-store for a basic safety check.
Tip #5 - Pre-Race Preparation - Body and Nutrition
Warming up properly can be the difference in the race's opening moments. For a short event, a long warm up is required as the intensity is likely to be on from the gun. This means you need your body at it’s most efficient temperature from the get go. Stationary trainers are a great way to achieve this without subjecting yourself to the risk of being late for the start. Team Sky use a simple but effective guide to pre-race success - you’ll find it here courtesy of wattbike https://wattbike.com/ZA/blog/team-sky-tt-warm-up-protocol. Don’t forget to have your race numbers pinned early and transponders fixed to your bike in advance. Taking a caffeine enhanced gel 15-20mins prior to the start means you’ll be firing off the line. Finally, don’t forget to hydrate in the preceding hours. You’ll have little chance to take in a drink during the event.