Southland
The 70th edition of the SBS Bank Tour of Southland starts in Invercargill on Sunday November 1, with a prologue and eight stages across 920km of racing over seven days.
New Zealand's longest-running stage race begins on Gala St and runs until the following weekend. Celebrations started earlier, with a Legends on Tour dinner on October 30 bringing together 14 past champions including eight-time winner Brian Fowler, three-time winner Warwick Dalton, and two-time champions Jack Swart and Graeme Miller.
Tour of Southland race director Waine Harding paid credit to the volunteers backing up for a second time in 2026 — January's rescheduled event featured a number of storm-enforced course changes.
"We are really grateful for the many people who have given up their time for this event over the decades. We just couldn't have a race and we certainly wouldn't be celebrating 70 years without them," Harding said.
"A platinum celebration is pretty special because it represents something rare, strong and durable. There's no question this race has established an enduring bond with the Southland community and New Zealand cycling."
Seventeen teams and about 100 riders will take part, including McCarthy Homes-QCF and Team Brennan Racing from Australia. Racing returns to Queens Park and Gala St for the prologue after January's event was held on altered courses.
Cambridge's Matthew Wilson (Advanced Personnel) comes back from racing professional gravel and mountain bike series in the United States. He twice finished runner-up to Southland's Josh Burnett, and is aiming to move up a place on the final podium. Burnett's professional contract precludes him from chasing a fourth Southland title in the past five years, though he will be supporting from the team vans.
The peloton includes 2023 winner Dan Gardner, Zakk Patterson, Daniel Morton, Kiaan Watts and Ollie Jones. Newly-minted world championship silver medallist scratch racer Tom Sexton — a former stage winner, yellow jersey wearer and Sprint Ace champion — is primed for racing on his home roads as part of the New Zealand men's endurance track squad.
Former Sprint Ace and King of the Mountains winner George Jackson, Southland's Nick Kergozou (2025 Sprint Ace and multiple stage winner), Morton and Southlander Marshall Erwood could all feature during the week.
Organisers have made some course changes for 2026. Monday's 166km stage from Invercargill to Gore will skirt the Hokonuis and take in Waikaka before finishing next to East Gore School. Stage five from Invercargill to Lumsden will take in the White Hill windfarm for the first time, and the stage seven individual time trial has been moved to the outskirts of Winton.
Harding was pleased to have Southland's schools back in force after January's event.
"The riders really missed not being cheered on by all the schools we travel past during the week," Harding said.
"The support from schools, farm gates and businesses as the peloton goes past is a big part of why this race is talked about around the world."