The 24-year-old produced a strong final day in the 68th edition of the SBS Bank-sponsored Southland tour to add his name to an elite list of riders who have won the event multiple times.
Burnett was third in the morning’s individual time trial in Winton, before his Creation Signs-MitoQ-NZ Cycling team-mates delivered him safely to Invercargill’s Queens Park over the final 77km stage in gale winds on Saturday to collect the title.
The win elevates him into a multi-title club alongside 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,’’ Burnett said.
‘‘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 rider Matthew Wilson. Australian rider Samuel Jenner was third at 3min 24sec.
Just like in 2022, when Burnett became the first Southlander to win his home tour since Doug Bath in 1994, 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.
‘‘It was weird. It was almost less pressure from 2022 with the drought and the Doug Bath thing and a bit more pressure because a lot of people expected the same thing.
‘‘A lot more riders were watching me so I had to be a lot more selective with when I went and what I did, but I had such a strong team and I basically sat on the back and climbed when I needed to and followed when I needed to.’’
‘‘They all sacrificed so much for me this week but there’s been plenty of times this year when we’ve ridden for different guys and a big part of this team is everyone getting their opportunities because it’s a development team.’’
Australian rider Graeme Frislie (Quality Foods Southland) 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 (Transport Engineering Southland-Deep South) 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 (Holmes Solutions) won 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.
- Nathan Burdon
