Another tour, another long list of thanks

The tour heads to Crown Range. Photo by James Jubb

Cycling Southland’s 2012 PowerNet Tour of Southland is in the books and what a race.

By now you will have read of Mike Northey’s incredible come-from-behind victory over the final 30 kilometres of our seven day race. One of the real joys of working in the sporting sector is getting an up close look at incredible moments like this and being able to witness the drama, the elation and the bitter disappointment that played out between Winton and Invercargill on Saturday afternoon.

So often in road races, the result is more or less locked down and the final stage can be something of an anti-climatic doddle to the line. Not so on Saturday where riders told me afterwards the 79 kilometre final stage was the hardest they have ever ridden. The pace went on right from the start and to quote Jerry Stock, who provided commentary during Cue TV’s wonderful coverage of the event, riders were “kicking stones up struggle street” right from the get-go.

It was a dramatic end to another brilliant event and one which was another huge success. International cycling hasn’t has the best of months with the scars from the Lance Armstrong saga still very fresh. While that represents the worst of cycling, what we witnessed over the past week is the best. We are incredibly thankful for the spectacle we were treated to and the way in which the 2012 Tour field conducted itself on and off the bike.

Thanks goes out to our incredible volunteers, our 2012 media contingent and to our fantastic funders and sponsors who make it all possible. No list is complete without Bruce, Pam and the Ross family. Most won’t realize what an undertaking this event is and how consuming in time and energy it becomes. We owe you all another huge debt of gratitude.

2012 was also notable as PowerNet’s last as major sponsor of the event. Prospects for the future are positive and, as with any change, it provides opportunity, but our first job is to recognize PowerNet’s phenomenal contribution to this iconic Southland event.

I am not over-stating the case to say the event would not be where it is today without PowerNet. Their input has been so much more than a writing of a cheque. Their financial contribution has been significant, but the way in which their team, headed by the incredible Lyn Daly, has embraced the event and made it their own is where our real fortune has been.

The PowerNet name will forever be associated with the Tour of Southland and whatever the future holds for the event and wherever it takes us, it is on the back of their twelve years of outstanding support.

Now the focus returns to the track. Next up are the Oceania Track Championships in Adelaide later this month and, closer to home, the Southland Track Champs are in December, building up to the Track Nationals in late January.

Before then, hopefully, you will forgive us if we take a couple of days off.