Search
shop

Every second counts – Neumann calls Busselton win ‘bittersweet’

'On the IRONMAN side I don’t think I could have asked for much better,' said Max Neumann of his long-course campaign
News Director
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Max Neumann admitted there was a tinge of disappointment about just missing out on a course record as he reflected on his victory at GWM IRONMAN Western Australia, the ideal way to round off a successful season.

The Brisbane-based athlete crossed the line almost five and a half minutes ahead of Steve McKenna with defending champion Matt Burton a further five minutes behind in third, but was a single second outside Alistair Brownlee’s best mark in Busselton.

Advertisement

‘It is what it is’

Neumann was at the front of the field all day, with his victory following his win at IRONMAN Asia-Pacific Championship in Cairns in June and his fourth at the IRONMAN World Championship in Hawaii in October.

“It’s bittersweet to miss the record by one second,” he said. “But to finish the year with another win here in Australia is special and means a lot, I enjoy racing here against the best Aussies and am very lucky to be able to do this.”

Neumann got word of how close he was to Brownlee’s time in the final stages of the run, with the 27-year old sprinting down the finish chute at the end of the marathon.

“It was about eight minutes left, we had about two kilometres to go, so I did some quick maths and I thought the last thing I want to do is bury myself and end up in the medical tent,” he said. “I knocked it down in the last k and sprinted up the finish line and missed it by one second, it is what it is.”

Max Neumann sprinting for the line at GWM IRONMAN Western Australia - Photo Korupt Vision
Neumann sprints for the line [Photo credit: Korupt Vision]

Upward progression

Looking at the first two parts of the race he added: “The swim was nice and choppy and the conditions were actually quite hard – the bike felt like we had a headwind the entire way with the crosswind there. But all us top three rode solo – I don’t think I’ve ever been in a race where that’s happened in my entire career, it was as fair as they come and it was just whoever had the better run legs and luckily today I still had some freshness in the legs and came home with the win.”

And on his year as a whole, Neumann reckoned: “On the IRONMAN side I don’t think I could have asked for much better, I mean missing out on the podium in Kona sucks a bit but the three guys ahead of me are probably the best three athletes the world has ever seen.”

Jonathan Turner
Written by
Jonathan Turner
Jonathan Turner is News Director for both TRI247 and RUN247, and is accustomed to big-name interviews, breaking news stories and providing unrivalled coverage for endurance sports.  
Discover more
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
FORM Smart Swim 2 PRO lens close up
FORM Smart Swim Pro 2 Goggles review: can these high tech goggles actually help you to train smarter and swim faster?
Premium‘The difference from triathlon is so big – there’s no comparison’: Maya Kingma on life in the Women’s WorldTour peloton
Laura Siddall Challenge Roth 2025 finish line
PremiumLaura Siddall: 10 things I’ve learned from my professional triathlon career
TRIFIT VORTEX tri suit
The small but mighty tri brand you NEED to know about: Why TRI-FIT are on a mission to disrupt the triathlon apparel scene
latest News
Kristian Grue wins Norseman 2025
Grue and Skala conquer ‘Zombie Hill’ and the world’s TOUGHEST triathlon in record-breaking style
Hayden Wilde happy T100 Singapore 2025
Hayden Wilde – is he BACK for T100 London after injury nightmare?
Sam Laidlow run Roundhay Park IRONMAN Leeds 2025
‘I’m ready for it’ – Sam Laidlow on why triathlon is hitting new heights in 2025 ahead of IRONMAN World Champs
Alistair Brownlee Olympics Triathlon London 2012 Podium Gold
Olympic icon Alistair Brownlee reveals most British thing ever when it comes to fuelling recovery
Lionel Sanders IRONMAN 70.3 Oceanside 2025 celebration finish line
Lionel Sanders provides BIG update on triathlon comeback
triathlon on your terms
Never miss out with our triathlon alerts & digest. Get a dose of adventure & inspiration with Boundless.
The 247 Group

The home of endurance sports

TRI247-LOGO_Primary-Black_RGB-1

CHOOSE YOUR MEMBERSHIP TO BECOME PART OF SOMETHING EPIC

We’re on a mission to elevate the world of endurance sport, becoming your go-to resource for expert training tips and inspiration, unbiased reporting and creating a platform for grassroots voices. But we can’t do it without you on board! Choose a TRI247+ membership option below and become part of something epic.

£7.95/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

100+ new articles/month

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

£47.95/year
£95.40/year

50% Discount

100+ new articles/month

Unlimited access. No ads. A whole library of tips, advice and inspiration at your finger tips, and the chance to shape the future of triathlon journalism.

You’ll also gain access to our other premium websites:

Have an account? Sign in

Share to...