Max Neumann and Renata Bucher take final TreX round, while Neumann and fellow Queenslander Louise Betts claim overall series crown…

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Aaron S. Lee

SYDNEY—Less than a week after making the announcement that Australia has been granted the 2016 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships, event organiser In2Adventure was busy hosting the final TreX Cross Triathlon race of the season, which concluded in Queensland on Saturday, May 23.

Still in celebration mode following the historic announcement to bring the world championships to the Snowy Mountains in November next year, In2Adventure put on a spectacular weekend that saw Max Neumann (AUS) and Renata Bucher (SUI) take out the final round, while Neumann and fellow Queenslander Louise Betts claimed the overall series crown.

The race was held on the first day of the Queensland Cross Triathlon Championships MultiSport Weekend at Wildeco Camp, which is based in the spectacular Sunshine Coast Hinterland. The opening long course championship featured a 1500m swim, a 28km mountain bike and a 10km trail run, as well as a $10,000 prize purse for the overall series champions.

For Neumann, who had suffered a shoulder injury just over a month ago, the race’s postponement following a freak flood in early May allowed a perfect opportunity to heal, while Bucher, who was away racing in Malaysia, was able to finish her season with a win and a second place overall in the series behind race runner-up Betts.

Renata, who took a 30-second lead in the swim over Betts, led from start to finish.

“It was a beautiful event and a race for the heart,” said Bucher, who now returns to her home in Switzerland to prepare for the world championships in Sardinia, Italy in October. “The crew of TreX got the ITU off-road triathlon worlds just a couple of days before and I was so happy about it.

“It’s just amazing what you can reach, if you work hard for it and surround yourself with good people.”

Like Bucher, Neumann led the entire race. The 19-year-old crossed the line (2:24:22) well ahead of state rivals George Tamblyn (2:33:00) and Brodie Gardner (2:34:46). Neumann’s win secured him the overall title ahead of Gardner and Tamblyn, who finished second and third respectively in the series.

“The race went great for me,” said the 2014 Australian Cross Triathlon National Champion. “I hadn’t run in a couple of weeks so I knew that I needed to make as much time as I could on the swim and bike and just cruise the run and look after my injury.

“I am super-happy to come away with the win and the series crown, and I am really looking forward to the worlds here in Australia in 2016.”

The 27-year-old Betts finished second on the day (2:57:18), but was able to hang on to the overall series lead over race winner Bucher and fellow Aussie Connie Silvestri (QLD), who finished third on the day (3:03:43).

“It was so fantastic to have such a strong field contesting the Queensland Championships and such a thrill to see Max and Renata take out the event,” said race director Simon Lazenby. “Both winners took a strong hold on the race from start to finish and it was such a thrill to see such tremendous performances across the board on the exciting new course here on the Sunshine Coast on the day.”

In2Adventure event director Robyn Lazenby agreed.

“Seeing our reigning Australian Champion Max Neumann and relative newcomer to the sport this season Louise Betts atop the podium for the 2014/15 TreX Series Championships was a real thrill,” added Robyn Lazenby. “It has been such a challenging season with races throughout Australia which each presented their own unique challenge to contenders.

“To be standing on top of the series championship podium means that you have to have a strong mix in all elements of off road and have the skill and maturity to adapt to the unique conditions, challenges and hurt that each race presented.

“These are two of Australia’s very best athletes and we are so proud to call them our series champions and look forward to 2016 as they take on the world at the ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships in the Snowy Mountains,” she concluded.

Also over the weekend, Bucher and Australian Damien Collins took out the Dirt Mistress and Dirt Master titles after their cumulative times were added to Sunday’s (May 24) 8km trail run and 45km mountain bike race.

“It was my first Dirt Mistress title and I am super happy about it,” Bucher told In2Adventure after the race. “I believe in hard work and that will help you reach your big goals as an athlete, as a coach or as an organization.”

About TreX:

For seven years TreX has positioned itself as the pinnacle of the cross – or off-road – triathlon racing series in Asia-Pacific. Presented by the premier outdoor adventure event specialists In2Adventure, TreX consists of a reservoir swim, mountain bike and trail run. While each TreX event features an open category with industry-leading prize purses, the TreX Cross Triathlon national series invites participation from all ages and skill levels. For more information visit TreX here

About In2Adventure:

In2Adventure are Asia-Pacific’s premier adventure event specialists, and the proud host of the 2016 ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships. With a full calendar of national events scheduled throughout Australia, including adventure races, cross triathlon, XC Mountain Bike, trail runs and corporate events, In2Adventure fully embraces all things ‘off road’ and ‘off the beaten track’ and offers a unique, individual experience for all ages and skill levels. For more information visit In2Adventure here

Upcoming Events (2016):

–       ITU World Cross Triathlon Championships – Lake Crackenback, NSW, 19/20 November 2016

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Photo Credit: Courtesy In2Adventure

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Media Queries

Aaron S. Lee

Media Manager | Public Relations

+61 415 763 293

Aaron@in2adventure.com.au