Eventual Tour of Southland 2024 winner Josh Burnett, centre, starts the climb on stage four with Daniel Whitehouse, right, and Elliot Schultz. 6 November, 2024. Photo: Photosport
Cycling's Tour of Southland, which was postponed because of last Thursday's devastating storm, will now be held early next year.
The seven-day tour had been scheduled to start this Sunday, but organisers postponed the event because of the disruption from the storm.
It will now be held from 18-24 January.
Severe winds knocked out power, water and communications in many parts of Southland and South Otago, and caused widespread damage, with contractors warning there could be a 16-month wait to clear thousands of trees felled by the winds on farms.
The decision to postpone the tour was made on Monday, with Southland under a state of emergency.
Cycling Southland president Julian Ineson said the Tour of Southland committee had worked tirelessly to reschedule the 69th edition of the race.
"A number of factors were taken into account; including accommodation availability, the international cycling calendar, other major Southland events, and traffic management planning, all of which needed to align to make the event viable," he said in a statement.
The organisation wanted to provide clarity for teams, sponsors and volunteers as early as possible.
Tour director Waine Harding said he was pleased the tour would proceed in January.
"I'm delighted we've been able to find a pathway forward that supports riders, teams, and the wider Southland community."
Racing will begin with the New Zealand Criterium Championships on Saturday, 17 January, around the streets of Invercargill.
The postponement means the race will be held twice next year, with the 70th anniversary event scheduled for next November.
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