Defending champion Josh Burnett is set to return to the SBS Bank Tour of Southland, after the race was rescheduled following a powerful storm in late October that forced a regional state of emergency. The postponement means the iconic cycling event, usually held in early November, will now begin on Saturday, January 18.
The change in timing proved to be a fortunate twist for Burnett, who had originally been ruled out of the 2025 race due to a badly broken arm. The delay has given him time to recover and prepare for a potential third victory in the event he calls home.
Contractual and international racing rules mean Burnett will compete under the PowerNet team banner, rather than the NZ Cycling Project team with whom he previously won in 2022 and 2024.
Tour race director Waine Harding said, “With Josh heading to Europe to pursue a professional cycling career we thought it might be several years before we saw him racing in this part of the world again. It’s no secret how much this race means to him.”
He also acknowledged the community support that helped the event stay alive despite the date change. “We are really grateful that the majority of our teams, riders, sponsors and volunteers have continued to support the race despite the postponement.”
This January edition will see some notable changes. The usual city-centre street circuit has been shifted from Queens Park to Waikiwi, due to local infrastructure work. The altered route, along with the summer heat, is expected to make for a different kind of challenge for the riders.
The Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling Project team looks like one to watch, with top riders including George Jackson, James Gardner, and national team pursuit cyclists Marshall Erwood and Keegan Hornblow.
Matthew Wilson, who finished just under two minutes behind Burnett in 2024, returns with his Advanced Personnel Cycling team. Australian rider Samuel Jenner is also back, having placed third overall last year.
Top-level endurance riders Tom Sexton (IBuilt) and Nick Kergozou (Open Country TES) will also be on the start line, bringing extra power to the peloton.
Veteran rider Glenn Haden of Whanganui, fresh off setting a world one-hour record for riders over 40, will represent Coupland-Cycling Tom Racing Team.
The race continues to attract international interest, with riders from Australia, the UK and Canada. Among the Kiwi riders is Auckland’s Hunter Dalton, grandson of cycling legend Warwick Dalton, a three-time Southland winner in the 1950s and ’60s.
The 69th edition of the SBS Bank Tour of Southland runs from January 18 to 24, starting and finishing in Invercargill.