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Proud Southland company Creation Signs – MitoQ have backed the region and Tour of Southland for many years, with this year sponsoring local cyclist and Tour of Southland winner Josh Burnett.
Burnett made history claiming victory as the first Southlander to win the Tour of Southland since 1994, and Creation Signs – MitoQ are beyond proud to share another milestone in history of driving success in the south.
Burnett said he was stoked by the win, but it had not come without challenges.
“It was a windy afternoon, but I was lucky to have a strong team of mates around me, and together we managed to bring the yellow jersey home,” he said.
On top of his victory, he also claimed the 13km Individual Time Trial around Winton. His team succeeded in winning the team classification, and fellow teammate George King, took out ‘King of the Mountain’ in this year’s Tour.
Burnett recalled watching the Tour as a five-year-old, so to win the title in his second year of entering the competition was surreal.
“It’s been a crazy day for sure. My job was to defend the yellow jersey, and I actually won the individual Time Trial which was a massive surprise for myself, and no doubt a few others.”
Burnett was grateful to his family, his team, and his sponsors, Creation Signs – MitoQ for their support.
“Thanks to my parents, it’s a pretty big commitment with all the time and money they’ve spent on cycling. Big thanks to my coach Matt Randall. He’s a really good friend of ours, and I wouldn’t be here without him. My team manager James Canny has helped me both on and off the bike over the past few years, and without our sponsors we would not be here.
“Last but definitely not least, my teammates. It’s pretty surreal to have my best mates riding with me,” Burnett said.
He also thanked the Southland community for their continual support.
“It’s crazy, there’s so many people I know out today, and there’s so much support. I don’t get to race at home very often, but when I do it’s a special feeling for sure. I love this race and think it is mainly because of the community, so I am very grateful,” he said.
Creation Signs manager Riki Shuttleworth said he wanted to celebrate the team’s success and efforts.
“It’s hard to put it into words as it’s hard not to get a little bit emotional about it all, but it’s really cool to see a young Southland cyclist doing really well. We are incredibly proud to back Southland, we back many sports teams and individuals, businesses and the arts but I have to be honest this is really special to me personally’,” Shuttleworth said.
The local business had supported team manager James Canny and his team since the beginning and was grateful to play a small part in their success.
“We’ve been supporting the New Zealand cycling project for 10 years and we have always loved James’ philosophy, his passion and commitment to creating a path for up-and-coming riders to progress and are proud to continue supporting him with his initiative.”
Team manager James Canny said this year’s team was certainly special. They were lucky enough to have five ultra-talented young lads and former NZ Road Champ Jimmy Williamson as the battle-hardened-veteran passing on knowledge.
“Josh’s win marks six years almost to the day since we managed to win Tour of Southland with Aaron Gate and look where he is now. Suffice to say, Josh has a very bright future in cycling, and we are stoked to play a part in that journey,” Canny said.