Following on from the Government announcement yesterday regarding the changes in Alert Levels across the country, please see below the update on the key decision timelines for each of our upcoming Schools Cycling sanctioned events.

We want to reiterate that these timelines have been determined to give the events the best chance to go ahead.  At the same time, schools, riders, parents and event organisers require certainty as early as possible in order to avoid or minimise financial outlay.  This necessarily requires that we make final decisions on an event at least two or three weeks prior to its scheduled date.

At the time of making our decisions, we have to base our decisions on the information we have at that time.  We note that yesterday’s Government announcement saw permitted numbers at indoor events being reduced to 50, while outside events currently remain at 100 in Alert Level 2.

We also continue to work closely with School Sport NZ to ensure we are supporting their messaging and the needs of their member schools.

We acknowledge that some of you may need to make your own decisions prior to our timelines to give you certainty and or to reduce financial outlay.

Taking all this into account, we can provide the updates below:

• SKODA National Road Championships: 2 – 4 October – Timaru

A final decision for this event will be made following the planned government Alert Level announcement on Monday 13^th September (with our decision to be communicated on Tuesday 14^th September).

The event is unable to be held within the current Alert Level 2 guidelines - so could only proceed if on 13 September we had certainty that the host region (Timaru) would be in Alert Level 1 at the time of the event (or had certainty that a change Alert Level 2 guidelines would allow an event of its size to proceed).

It will also require certainty that Auckland riders could attend safely and within the intent of the government guidelines (due to Auckland schools making up over 50% of the entries).

We have considered whether there is the opportunity to postpone the event to a later date.  However, there is only a small postponement window (within the school holiday period) and, unfortunately, due to the unavailability of essential venues and contractors, such postponement is not available to us. 

If the event is cancelled, the event will continue its advertised rotation and will return to the Manawatu region in 2022.

• SKODA National MTB Championships: 11 – 14 October – Blenheim

A final decision for this event will be made (in conjunction with Marlborough MTB Club) on Monday 20^th September (with our decision to be communicated on Tuesday 21^st September).

The event is unable to be held within the current Alert Level 2 guidelines so could only proceed if, on 20 September, we had certainty that the host region (Blenheim) would be in Alert Level 1 at the time of the event (or had certainty that a change in Alert Level 2 guidelines would allow an event of its size to proceed).

A postponement date for this event is not possible. If the event is cancelled, we will work closely with the host club on alternative opportunities in the future.

Given that pre-registrations have closed and we are needing to confirm entry lists, we ask that schools please confirm their entries and their commitment to attending the event by 5pm Friday 10^th September at the latest by emailing schools@cyclingnewzealand.nz. As entries are oversubscribed, it is important you advise us if wish to withdraw.  

• SKODA South Island Track Championships: 12 - 13 October – Invercargill

A final decision for this event will be made (in conjunction with Cycling Southland) on Monday 20^th September (with our decision to be communicated on Tuesday 21^st September).

The event is unable to be held within the current Alert Level 2 guidelines so could only proceed if, on 20 September, we had certainty that the host region (Southland) would be in Alert Level 1 at the time of the event (or had certainty that a change in Alert Level 2 guidelines would allow an event of its size to proceed).

A postponement date for this event is not possible. If the event is cancelled, the event will continue to be delivered by the organiser in 2022.

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If you are intending to enter if the events go ahead, we ask that you enter your riders ahead of our decision dates – so we are making our decisions with the most accurate information available (payment is not required at the time of entry).

On behalf of the Schools Cycling Executive, we wanted to extend our thoughts to all those riders who are looking to participate in an event in the next few months and we understand our decisions have an impact on you which are not taken lightly.  To our organisers, who have and continue to put so much time into organising the events, we appreciate your continued support in these times of uncertainty.