Reigning Australian Cross Triathlon Champion Max Neumann and Leela Hancox take top honours at the Queensland Enduro

Mother nature turned on her charm on Saturday for near-perfect race conditions as Leela Hancox (QLD) and reigning Australian Cross Triathlon Champion Max Neumann (QLD) took top honours at the Queensland Enduro to kick off the 2015/16 TreX season calendar on Saturday.

Queenslander Drew Box led out of the water at the start with Ricky Smith in second, followed by Neumann in third. Box retired with an existing injury during the first bike leg and at the end of the 10 kilometre mountain bike ride. Brodie Gardner (QLD) was first onto the run with Neumann and Surf Ironmn champion Guy Andrews third. After the 4km run Neumann was first into the water for the second swim with Gardner second and Andrews third “the same order as the final podium.

Very happy to get the off-road tri season under away with second today in round one of the In2Adventure Tre-X season,” said Gardner. “Congrats to Max Neumann for the win and demonstrating why he’s the reigning Australian champ and to Guy Andrews for rounding out the podium.

“For me, glad to see the hard work is paying off in the pool to come out of the swim with only minimal ground to make up which enabled me to take an early lead on the bike.

“Unfortunately Max was to strong on the first run and held the lead for the rest of the race.”

In the elite women, Hancox, who raced her first off-road triathlon, held off fellow Queenslander Lucy Shewell.

The extremely popular Enduro format challenges long course competitors to take on the tough Murrenbong route, and after a heart pumping 350-metre swim, 10-kilometre mountain bike and 4-kilometre trail run, it’s back in the water to do it all again. The event also included a one-lap Sprint (350m/10km/4km), Junior (150m/4km/1km) and Teaser (150m/4km/1km) course.

With the 2015 X-Tri world champs being held in Sardinia, Italy (26-28 September), the In2Adventure team will immediately travel overseas following the weekend’s racing to represent Australia and entice amateur and professional athletes from all over the world to race Down Under next year.

In2Adventure recently launched its Pathway Partners programme to help local athletes and coaches connect and reach their individual goals of representing Australia at next year’s world champs. The TreX Series will be hosting three state qualifiers, including the Victorian Championships (28-29 November) in Bendigo, the Australian Championships (27-28 February) in the Snowy Mountains (NSW) and the Queensland Championships (16-17 April) on the Sunshine Coast.

About the Pathway Partner program:

As part of our Pathway Partners Program, In2Adventure is in the process of connecting with clubs, coaches and squads throughout Australia who will be hosting training and development programs aimed at helping competitors to qualify for the World X-Tri Champs in 2016.

If you are a coach, club, squad or trainer who offers training for cross triathlon including mountain biking, trail running or swimming and are interested in becoming a pathway partner you can download full information and application forms using the links below.

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 elite category with industry-leading prize purses, including $50,000 for the 2016 ITU World Cross Triathlon Championships, the TreX Cross Triathlon national series invites participation from all ages and skill levels.

About In2Adventure:

In2Adventure is Asia-Pacific’s premier adventure event specialists. 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.

Upcoming Events (2015/16):

• Queensland Enduro “Murrenbong, QLD, 19 September 2015
• Victorian Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) “Bendigo, VIC, 28-29 November 2015
• Snowies MTB Festival “Snowy Mountains, NSW, 12-14 February 2016
• Australian Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) “Snowy Mountains, NSW, 27-28 February 2016
• Queensland Cross Triathlon Championships (2016 Worlds Qualifier) “Sunshine Coast, QLD, 16-17 April 2016
• ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships “Lake Crackenback Resort & Spa, Snowy Mountains, NSW, 18-20 November 2016

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