Strong running Max Neumann wins CHALLENGE SHEPPARTON, Ellie Salthouse leads from start to finish

Sunday 11 April 2021

After a particularly strong race – and especially an impressive run – Max Neumann just won CHALLENGE SHEPPARTON. In the women’s race, it was top favorite Ellie Salthouse who led the race from start to finish, eventually winning and thus winning her fourth race in a row.

Despite a clear blue sky, the temperature at the start of CHALLENGE SHEPPARTON was a bit disappointing. With only six degrees, the pros did everything they could to stay warm before the early start, but fortunately they knew the temperature would become much more pleasant during the day. Besides the water temperature of Victoria Park Lake was fine with about 19 degrees and that seemed to suit especially Trent Thorpe and Josh Amberger. Both athletes took the lead immediately and saw their lead grow to just over a minute in the water. After 23:14 minutes they headed for T1 with a nice gap on the rest of the field.

On the bike, it was immediately Amberger who rode away from Thorpe, sending a clear message: ‘I’m going for the win’. And that’s exactly what he was going for, because he kept on pedalling as hard as possible, increasing his lead to about one minute. Behind Thorpe, who also continued to ride solo for what he was worth and hovered around a minute behind Amberger, a chasing group consisting of five athletes was formed.

One of the athletes in that group was Max Neumann, who made a move as the kilometers flew by and passed Thorpe. As a result, Neumann came second and at some point his split times were even faster than those of race leader Amberger. Still, it was Amberger who was the fastest biker of the day thanks to a bike time of 2:04:14hr, and therefore also got to start the half marathon first. The differences were small, however, as Neumann followed at a minute or so and behind him was the larger chasing group.

In the first few kilometers, it was Neumann and also Steve McKenna, who worked his way up to a third position, who began to make up time on Amberger. It wasn’t long before Neumann saw his high pace rewarded with an overtaking move on Amberger and becoming the new leader in the race.

Neumann’s fast pace eventually proved inimitable and kilometers were all completed at an average speed of 3:20 minutes per kilometer, resulting in a 1:10hr half marathon. After 3:42:37hr Neumann claimed victory. Behind Neumann it was still pretty exciting between Josh Amberger and Steve McKenna. The latter ran about four minutes faster, but ultimately came up just short of finishing second. Therefore it was Amberger claiming the second spot in the end, after 3:46:14hr. McKenna became third after 3:47:06hr.

Women’s race: Ellie Salthouse on fire
In the women’s race, a similar start to the men’s: two women, Ellie Salthouse and Grace Thek, took off immediately during the swim and built a lead of over a minute. With that lead they began – after being in the water for 27:11 minutes – their bike, followed by the rest of the women who naturally wanted to do everything in their power to close the gap as quickly as possible.

While Salthouse and Thek teamed up in the water, on the bike Salthouse decided to up the ante and so she quickly rode away from her pursuer. Salthouse’s lead grew quickly, although that also had to do with Thek struggling a little bit on the bike and saw, among others, Slater and Renee Kiley pass her. At the halfway point of the bike, Salthouse was in the lead and had a 1:15 minute advantage over Slater, 2 minutes over Kiley and 3:55 minutes over Thek.

In the end, it was Slater who set the fastest bike time (2:18:13hr), a really impressive effort. However, that could not change the fact that Salthouse was still the first female athlete heading into T2, although the difference between both ladies was minimal. In third place, Kiley returned to the transition area.

During the run, Salthouse was in complete control of the race and her victory was never in danger. Behind her, a lot of things happened, but it was mainly Thek who stood out. After a mediocre bike part, she came back strong during the run and even passed Kiley in the final phase and therefore got back on the podium again. However, Salthouse and Slater were not caught up and ended up finishing first and second. Salthouse did so after 4:09:13hr, Slater after 4:14:02hr. Behind Salthouse and Slater it was Thek crossing the finish line third after 4:15:32hr.

MALE PRO:
1 Max Neumann AUS 3:42:37
2 Josh Amberger AUS +3:37
3 Steven McKenna AUS +4:29
4 Mitchell Kibby AUS +5:39
5 Caleb Noble AUS +5:47

FEMALE PRO:
1 Ellie Salthouse AUS 4:09:13
2 Penny Slater AUS +4:49
3 Grace Thek AUS +6:19
4 Renee Kiley AUS +8:55
5 Laura Armstrong NZL +14:56

CHALLENGE Family (Photo: Chris Chronis)


Coming Triathlon Events View all

Frysman

Reaklif, Warns, Netherlands

Laponia Triathlon

Gällivare, Sweden

Stone Extreme

Lago d'Iseo / Passo Paradiso, Italy

Swedeman Xtreme

Östernoren, Sweden

Odyssey

St Neots, United Kingdom

Challenge Roth

Roth, Germany

Altriman

les Angles, Pyrenees, France

eagleXman

Assergi, Italy

TriBourne 226

Eastbourne, United Kingdom

Kaike triathlon

Yonago, Tottori, Japan

Ironman Vitoria Gasteiz

Vitoria Gasteiz, Spain

Ironman Lake Placid

Lake Placid, United States

Ironman Leeds

Leeds, United Kingdom

Ironman Canada Ottawa

Ottowa, Canada

Ironman Kalmar Sweden

Kalmar, Sweden

Ironman Copenhagen

Copenhagen, Denmark

Ironman Tallinn

Tallinn, Estonia

Ironman Switzerland

Thun, Switzerland

Ironman Wisconsin

Madison, Wisconsin, United States

Ironman Japan South Hokkaido

Hokkaido, Japan

Tri Tour El Pont de Suert

El Pont de Suert, Spain

La Tour Geneve

Geneve, Switzerland

Garmin Tri Tour Elblag

Elblag, Poland

Great White North

Hubbles Lake, Alberta, Canada

Outlaw Half Holkham

Holkham Hall, Norfolk, United Kingdom

Oravaman

Zuberec, Slovakia

Cotswold Classic

Ashton Keynes, United Kingdom

Door Country Half

Egg Harbor, WI, United States

Garmin Tri Tour Sycow

Sycow, Poland

Sourdough Triathlon

Chatanika, Alaska, United States

70.3 Muskoka

Huntsville, Ontario, Canada

70.3 Jonkoping

Jönköping, Sweden

70.3 Muncie

Muncie, Indiana, United States

70.3 Luxembourg

Remich, Luxembourg

70.3 Swansea

Swansea, Wales, United Kingdom

70.3 Musselman

Geneva NY, United States

70.3 Ohio

Sandusky, United States

70.3 Oregon

Salem OR, United States

70.3 Ecuador

Manta, Ecuador

70.3 Boise

Boise Idaho, United States

Triathlon News & Media Blogs View all

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

IRONMAN Announces New Performance-Based Age-Group Qualification System for World Championships

Wednesday 02 Jul 2025 [Triathlon News]

IRONMAN, the global leader in triathlon, today announced a new performance-based age group qualification system for its IRONMAN World Championship® and IRONMAN® 70.3® World Championship events, beginning with the 2026 qualifying cycle. Based on extensive research, testing, and feedback from athletes, the new qualifying system is designed to reward athletes based entirely on how competitive they are relative to their age group and gender. more

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Marten van Riel & Jess Learmonth Win 70.3 Nice France

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

Van Riel's Dominance: Marten Van Riel controlled the men's race from the swim, building a significant lead on the bike and maintaining it through the run. This win also qualified him for the IRONMAN 70.3 World Championship in Marbella. Michele Bortolamedi (ITA) finished second, and Jens Emil Sloth Nielsen (DEN) took third. more

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Kristian Blummenfelt (NOR) Claims Second European Title at Thrilling 21st Edition IRONMAN Frankfurt

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

The IRONMAN European Championship for professional men took place in Frankfurt today, making the 11th race of the IRONMAN Pro Series. In a nail-biting race right up to the bitter end, it was Norwegian Kristian Blummenfelt who took the tape, claiming his second straight win in Frankfurt, and second regional IRONMAN Championship title this year. more

Kaindland & Jansen Win CHALLENGE Kaiserwinkl Walchsee

Kaindland & Jansen Win CHALLENGE Kaiserwinkl Walchsee

Sunday 29 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

A tough and hot day of racing in the Austrian Alps saw career-defining wins for Austrian Olympian, Tjebbe Kaindl, and Laura Jansen (GER) as they both took their first professional wins over the middle distance in 3:46:19 and 4:15:15 respectively. The pro women kicked the day off with Therese Feuersinger (AUT) dominating the swim in 24:13, posting the fastest swim split of the day, more

IRONMAN Pro Series Frankfurt MPRO Start List

IRONMAN Pro Series Frankfurt MPRO Start List

Friday 27 Jun 2025 [Triathlon News]

On 29 June, the city of Frankfurt, Germany will host the men’s IRONMAN® European Championship triathlon. As one of the oldest and most prestigious races on the circuit, the city will once again welcome a world class professional field, made up of three IRONMAN World Champions, the full 2024 IRONMAN World Championship podium, and last year’s IRONMAN Frankfurt European Championship podium. more

Facebook


YouTube


Sign up for FREE NEWSLETTER:

We will never share your email address or spam you.