Max Neumann took a fantastic victory at Challenge Shepparton. After a dominating run performance Max broke the tape in a time of 3:42:37. The first victory of the season for both Neumann and the BMC Pro Triathlon Team. Josh Amberger (AUS; 3:46:14) and Steven McKenna (AUS; 3:47:06) joined Neumann on the podium.
Superb allround performance
The day started with a solid swim for Max Neumann exiting the water in 4th place, with a one minute deficit over the leading duo. In the opening stages of the bike, Max settled well inside a big chase group battling for 3rd place. The two leaders kept extending their lead in the first half of the bike. Over the halfway mark of the bike leg, Neumann found an extra gear and broke away from the group to go after 2nd place. It didn’t take long before Max was able to take over control of that 2nd position. Neumann managed to keep the difference between him and race leader Amberger around the 2-minute mark. Eventually, the BMC-athlete racked his bike in 2nd place 2’20 down on the lead. Right from the start, Max got into a blisterig pace and started to reduce his deficit in the first kilometers of the run. At the 5k mark of the closing half marathon the gap had been reduced to 30 seconds. Neumann kept his rhythm high and made the pass for the lead a few kilometers later. From that point onwards Max kept well in control of the race and continued to extend his lead. With the second fastest run split of the day (1:10:23), Max broke the tape in a time of 3:42:37 to take his first victory of the season.
Afterwards a very satisfied Neumann relected on his performance: "It was a cold and windy day at Challenge Shepparton and happy to be able to get my first win in nearly 6 months after a long break from racing. 6 degree air temperature made for a cold morning. I had a good swim in the main pack and than settled into the flat course on the bike. Amberger had good legs and after the first lap on the bike I knew I had to go after him. I got away from main pack and started the run in 2nd place 2min back. I had good legs on the run and was able to take the win in with my quickest half marathon run to date. Next on the cards is Ironman Cairns in 8 weeks time".
