Cycling: Tour of Southland director Bruce Ross stepping down after 50 years

This week marks the end of an era for the Tour of Southland.

Race director Bruce Ross is stepping aside, ending a remarkable run in charge of New Zealand's longest serving and most high profile cycle race.

After half a century of service, Bruce Ross is doing his "final lap" in charge of the Tour of Southland. 

For 35 of those years he's been the race director, having started as a judge in 1970.

Over the years he's had to deal with rain, hail and snow - weather so bad that some stages couldn't be completed. 

The race has featured the cream of home grown talent like Hayden Roulston, Jack Bauer, George Bennett and Tom Scully, as well as controversial riders like disqualified Tour de France winner Floyd Landis.

Now 67-years-old, it's Ross who's on his bike.

"I'm feeling great," Ross told Newshub. "End of an era I dare say but I'm looking forward to not organising everything and my bowls and other pastimes."

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Newshub.