Tour of Southland

🚴 Team Sponsor Opportunity 🚴

Be part of the 70th SBS Bank Tour of Southland!

We have riders ready to race and are looking for businesses keen to get involved as team sponsors for this iconic event.

A great opportunity to support our riders, promote your business and be part of something pretty special.

Spaces are limited – get in touch with us to find out more!

𝟕𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐁𝐒 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐂𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐜 𝐌𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞

24/6/2026 - One of the most significant milestones in New Zealand cycling history will be celebrated in November when the SBS Bank Tour of Southland marks its 70th edition.

As Australasia's longest-running multi-stage cycling event, the Tour has become one of New Zealand's most highly-regarded sporting events, attracting generations of riders, volunteers, sponsors, and supporters since the inaugural race was held in 1956.

The milestone comes less than a year after organisers successfully delivered the rescheduled 69th edition in January 2026.

This followed the unprecedented decision to postpone the event due to a major weather emergency affecting Southland and surrounding regions. While the circumstances presented significant challenges, the event's successful delivery highlighted the resilience and determination that have characterised the Tour throughout its 70-year history.

Cycling Southland president Julian Ineson said reaching the 70th edition was a remarkable achievement and an opportunity to celebrate both the history and future of the event.

"Reaching 70 editions is an incredible milestone and a testament to the dedication of the volunteers, sponsors, communities, riders, and supporters who have contributed to the Tour over many decades," Ineson said.

SBS Bank was proud to be supporting the race’s landmark event, SBS Bank CEO Mark McLean said.

“This will be our 15th consecutive year backing the event, which reflects our deep commitment to Southland and to an occasion that brings our communities together like no other."

Tour Director Waine Harding was also excited about delivering what will be his second event in less than 12 months.

"Following the challenges that resulted in the 69th edition being rescheduled to January, we are excited to return to our traditional November timeslot and deliver a celebration worthy of this historic occasion."

To mark the milestone, organisers are incorporating a number of throwbacks and historical elements throughout the week, celebrating the people and stories that have shaped the Tour since 1956.

Among those returning to Southland will be Tour legend Brian Fowler, whose record eight victories remain one of the most remarkable achievements in the event's history. He will be joined by a number of past champions who helped establish the Tour's reputation as one of the Southern Hemisphere's premier cycling events.

As part of the celebrations, the public will have opportunities to meet former champions through a series of events, including the special "Legends on Tour" evening on Friday 30th October, where cycling fans will be able to hear first-hand stories and memories from some of the greatest riders to have competed in the race. "The Tour has always been about more than just the racing," Ineson said.

"It is about the people, the stories, and the communities that have helped make it one of New Zealand's most iconic sporting events. Bringing former champions back to Southland allows us to celebrate that history and share it with a new generation of cycling fans."

While honouring the past, organisers are also focused on ensuring the racing remains as competitive and challenging as ever. A comprehensive review of the race route has resulted in several changes designed to further test riders across the week.

Details of the course will be announced in the coming months, but organisers have confirmed competitors can expect a demanding week of racing across some of Southland's most iconic roads and landscapes.

Interest in the event is already building, with enquiries received from teams and riders throughout New Zealand and overseas, highlighting the enduring reputation of the SBS Bank Tour of Southland, Harding said.

"There is significant excitement around the cycling community for this edition. The prestige of winning the 70th SBS Bank Tour of Southland is not lost on riders. We are seeing considerable interest from both domestic and international competitors who want the opportunity to be part of this historic event and compete for one of the most respected titles in Australasian cycling."

The 70th edition of the SBS Bank Tour of Southland runs from November 1 to 7.

https://www.tourofsouthland.com/

SBS Bank

𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔 𝐒𝐁𝐒 𝐁𝐚𝐧𝐤 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐥𝐚𝐧𝐝 – 𝟕𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐄𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

Celebrating 70 Years of the Tour of Southland 🚴‍♂️

1–7 November 2026

Entries open 1 July 2026

𝐴 𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒𝑠𝑡𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑓 𝑁𝑒𝑤 𝑍𝑒𝑎𝑙𝑎𝑛𝑑’𝑠 𝑖𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑖𝑐 𝑟𝑜𝑎𝑑 𝑟𝑎𝑐𝑒

It’s hard to believe it’s already been a week since the SBS Bank Tour of Southland concluded. What an incredible few days of racing, community spirit, and unforgettable moments right across the Southland region.

We’ve loved seeing the week through your eyes - if you snapped any highlights, special memories, or roadside moments, please drop them in the comments below.

: Our 2025 Tour winner Josh Burnett takes us inside the peloton for last week's race.

The Roar Podcast: Ft Josh Burnett A Southland sports podcast.

What a phenomenal conclusion to an outstanding SBS Bank Tour of Southland. The 69th edition of this iconic race has again delivered some exceptional racing across our stunning province. A huge thanks to the organisers, sponsors, officials, riders and our amazing volunteers for producing such an amazing event.
We'll be back in November with the 70th edition, but until then, enjoy the final day's racing in the McConachie Shearing ITT in Winton and the Ascot Park Hotel Stage 8 from Winton to Invercargill.

SBS Bank Tour of Southalnd 2025* Stages 7&8 All the action from the final day of racing in the SBS Bank Tour of Southland, including the:* McConachie Shearing ITT in Winton* Ascot Park Hotel Stage 8 fr...

Burnett wins third SBS Bank Tour of Southland title
24/1/2025: Josh Burnett has become just the sixth rider to win three or more SBS Bank Tour of Southland titles after surviving a frenetic final day today.
Burnett (PowerNet) started the day with a 19sec lead over Cambridge’s Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel Cycling Team), but an outstanding individual time trial by Wilson in the morning saw him take the stage victory and cut the lead to just 10sec heading into the final 77km stage from Winton to Invercargill.
The fast and furious stage was lashed by wind and rain throughout, with Wilson making a bold attack on the penultimate lap of the tour’s Waikiwi circuit finish before the two frontrunners finished safely in the bunch to repeat the one-two finish they recorded in 2024.
The final stage was won by Southland’s Nick Kergozou, the second time he has won the finale.
Burnett’s name now joins the likes of Warwick Dalton, Tino Tabak, Brian Fowler, Hayden Roulston and Michael Vink as riders who have won New Zealand’s most prestigious stage race three or more times.
It almost didn’t happen, with Burnett originally ruled out of the November event by a badly broken arm and only coming back into the equation when an extreme weather event meant the 2025 edition was postponed until January.
“I was just planning on helping the Mito-Q boys out and cleaning their bikes. To get this opportunity, I’m super grateful to PowerNet, it’s such a well-run team. Both on and off the bike we’ve had such a good time this week. It’s a massive credit to Aaron (Sinclair) who has put this team together for the past few years. All I’ve had to think about is riding my bike.”
Burnett, who also won the King of the Mountain classification, paid credit to his team mates, who were challenged throughout the week, particularly after losing team captain Ollie Jones to a crash on Tuesday.
“For sure there were some expectations on my shoulders all week but I think it was mainly transferred onto my team mates, making them ride the front for three days, so a big shout out to those boys because without them I wouldn’t have had the chance to contest the stages or be in contention.”
Burnett highlighted the battle he had with Wilson for the second Southland tour in a row. The pair sparred throughout the week, especially with one-two finishes on both the Remarkables and Bluff Hill finishes. Daniel Whitehouse (Quality Food Southland/Gough Brothers) was third overall at 1min 38sec.
“Massive credit to Matt because he is super strong and I’m sure he’s going to win a Southland one day, that’s for sure.”
To get the chance to return from riding for his Spanish professional team, Burgos Burpellet BH, and win his home race was something special, Burnett said.
“It definitely hasn’t sunk in. I was just taking it day by day and I’m just really proud to be from this region,” he said.
“There’s no other bike race in the world where I get this amount of support so I’ve got to lap it up where I can. In Spain I can’t even read the signs so when I’m here I make the most of it.”
Meanwhile, Kergozou (Open Country-TES) was proud to win the final stage and claim his fourth Sprint Ace title in his ninth Southland tour.
“I’m ecstatic with that. Matt Wilson was putting it in the gutter pretty hard. He was throwing it all out there and I knew I just had to follow to keep the sprint jersey alive.”
Timaru’s Noah Hollamby (Onya Bike) completed an outstanding debut Tour of Southland, winning the under 23 jersey and finishing fourth overall. Australian Ben Dyball (Macaulay Ford-Good Tech Team) was the leading over 35 rider and fifth overall.
Macaulay Ford-Good Tech Team won the teams classification, while Christchurch’s James Krzanich (Lattitude Cycling Team) was named the Most Combative rider for the final stage and the tour overall.

Here is your stage and overall jersey winners after the Ascot Park Hotel Stage 8 of the - the Bank Tour of Southland.
Stage winner: Nicholas Kergozou De La Boessiere (Open Country TES)
Orange: Josh Burnett (PowerNet )
Harcourts Sprint: Nicholas Kergozou De La Boessiere (Open Country TES)
Jesco KOM: Josh Burnett (PowerNet)
Henderson Construction U23: Noah Hollamby (Onya Bike - 1.5m)
Geraldine Cheese O35: Ben Dyball (Macaulay Ford & Good Tech Team Cycling Team)
Wensley’s team: Macaulay Ford - Goodtech Team
McLeay Jewellers Most Combative: James Krzanich (Latitude Cycling)
First Southlander on Stage 8: Nicholas Kergozou De La Boessiere (Open Country TES)