Race leader Josh Burnett is using cycling's Tour of Southland as a catalyst for his season abroad

The defending champion's claimed a stage four win for the third time in a row, after an 112-kilometre trek up The Remarkables.

Burnett says the tour is beneficial, regardless of his pursuit for a third title.



This morning's stage five has started, stretching 166 kilometres from Invercargill to Lumsden.