Josh Burnett extended his lead on the final day to claim a historic win in the Tour of Southland becoming the first Southland rider to win the tour in 26 years.
Southland's Josh Burnett has become the first local rider since 1994 to win the Tour of Southland. Photo: supplied
The 22-year-old won the penultimate stage, a 13km individual time trial in Winton, and held on in the final 77km stage from Invercargill to Winton to claim the overall victory by 43 seconds from Australia's Carter Beetles.
While the pace was fast and furious in the crosswinds over the final stage, there was no denying Burnett a piece of history, with those same margins remaining to the finish.
"It's special, but I've said special probably a hundred times this week," Burnett said.
"I don't actually have the words for it yet. It's going to take a long time to sink in."
Ironically, the Southlander who last won the Tour of Southland, Doug Bath in 1994, also sold Burnett his first bike.
Bath was more than pleased to pass on the torch to the 22-year-old.
James Harvey won the final stage in a sprint finish.
Burnett held the yellow jersey and an 8 second lead heading into the final two stages.
