Josh Burnett has sealed his second career Tour of Southland title to go with his 2022 victory, Burnett finishing safely in the peloton to take overall honours by almost two minutes.
It was his second title in the space of three years for the 24-year-old in the 68th edition of the event.
Burnett was third in the morning’s individual time trial in Winton, before his MitoQ-NZ Cycling teammates delivered him safely to Invercargill’s Queens Park over the final 77km stage in gale winds to punish the riders to collect the title.
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The win sees him join the likes of Warwick Dalton, Tino Tabak, Stephen Cox, Jack Swart, Brian Fowler, Gordon McCauley, Hayden Roulston and Aaron Gate.
“I definitely don’t hold my name up there with those guys in my own head so it feels surreal when you put me on that list,” said Burnett.
“I was just so focused on the one goal today, I’m going to enjoy this and I’m sure a few more stats and comparisons will come up but those guys had some pretty good careers and I’ve got a bit more to show for myself.”
Burnett’s winning margin was 1min 57sec from Hamilton’s Matthew Wilson, with Samuel Jenner third at 3 minutes 24 seconds.
In 2022 Burnett became the first Southlander to win their home tour since Doug Bath in 1994, and locals turned out to support him over the final stage, with signs and strategically placed hay bales lining the route from Winton to Invercargill.
“I’m just so grateful for all the support. Everyone here in Queens Park and all the signs and everything. You kind of realise what being a Southlander means, it’s such a tight-knit community and just how passionate everyone is about sport.
Burnett, who will join Spanish Pro Continental team Burgos BH next year, thanked his team for supporting him throughout the year as he looked to regain a professional contract after the demise of Black Spoke.
Australian rider Graeme Frislie won the bunch sprint in Gala St to claim the stage eight victory after Southlander Tom Sexton had earlier looked to go solo as the tour lapped Queens Park.
Fellow Australian Declan Trezise came home safely in the bunch to claim the under 23 classification, finishing fourth overall.
Burnett also won the King of the Mountain jersey, while Bailey O’Donnell was victorious in the Sprint Ace classification and PowerNet won the teams classification.
Southland’s Luke Macpherson won the over 35 classification, which was dedicated to the late Ken Lasenby, a beloved figure in New Zealand cycling.