A spectacular climb up the Remarkables has given Invercagill rider Josh Burnett a stage win on his debut in the Tour of Southland.
The 21 year old Burnett won the 101km fourth stage from Mossburn to the top of the Remarkables by 16 seconds ahead of tour leader Michael Vink of Christchurch who extended his hold on the yellow jersey out to 1 minute 43 seconds.
Burnett has been following his home tour since he was five years old but even during a practice ride of the Remarkables a couple of weeks ago he never dreamed he could win a stage on debut.
"The whole race is so special to people from Southland, I just can't quite believe that I've done it," he said.
Invercargill's Josh Burnett celebrates his first stage win on the Tour of Southland. Photo: Harry Talbot/Tour of Southland
"My parents have been helping out with this race since I was five years old and when you go to an Invercargill primary school you know all about the Tour of Southland. Coming around the corner I knew I couldn't take a guy as classy as Vink to the corner so I just had to go for it and I managed to hold on."
A national cyclocross and under 23 mountainbike champion, Burnett was able to ride away from Vink and Max Meffan who was third.
Earlier in the stage a breakaway of 19 riders kept the peloton on task but was too widely represented to be given much freedom.
When they were captured in the shadows of Queenstown's breathtaking Remarkables mountain range, only a small group emerged to challenge for the stage, with Burnett making his move at the midway point and holding his nerve to the finish.
Looking to claim a third Southland crown in the space of four years, Vink's disappointment at missing out on a stage win was tempered by the fact he was able to take significant time out of all his main rivals.
"It's such a tough climb - the stage is quite short but it's a hard run through the Devil's Staircase and then a steep climb to the finish. It's a stage where you can't really hide and it's usually won by the best guy and the best guy won today," he said.
"It would have been really nice to finish off with a stage win for the boys but you've got to think bigger picture. I've got good legs, which is the key thing. Josh was better, but in terms of the GC we are still on track."
"Often when you've got a big lead or you show your cards early it can go against you a wee bit and everyone works against you. You expect that and you've got to take it as a compliment, it's the right thing to do and the race is on, it's exciting and that's good."
Thursday's stage five, is a 154km trip from Invercargill finishing with the Bluff Hill climb.
-RNZ