The SBS Bank Tour of Southland will run twice in 2026 following postponement due to the weather-related State of Emergency impacting the region.
The cycling tour's organisers announced the new dates for the 69th edition of the race, now taking place from January 18-24, 2026.
The event's committee factored in "accommodation availability, the international cycling calendar, other major Southland events, and traffic management planning", that "needed to align to make the event viable".
This year's race was originally expected to commence on Sunday, November 2, but was pushed back following a deluge of wintery weather in the Southern region, including extreme winds and late-season snows.
Chief executive of the event sponsor, SBS Bank, Mark McLean acknowledged the difficulties faced by the region. "Many households in the region are still impacted by the recent weather event."
He also encouraged any "impacted SBS Members to reach out for support from the bank".
Tour director Waine Harding said he was "delighted" that the tour had been able to go forwards, adding that the rescheduled event "supports riders, teams, and the wider Southland community".
The 70th edition of the event will bookend the year, scheduled for November 2026.
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