Over 8,000 athletes lined up this weekend for Asia\u2019s largest long distance at Challenge Taiwan in Taitung and the return of pro racing to the event. Caleb Noble and Amelia Watkinson took out top honours in 3:45:17 and 4:03:40 respectively, both leading from the gun.<\/p>\n
In the men\u2019s race, Australia\u2019s Caleb Noble exited Flowing Lake in 24:40 neck and neck with fellow countryman Jack Sosinski with local triathlon hero Tuan Chang 21 seconds down in third. Noble and Sosinski continued neck and neck up throughout the first half of the out-and-back course at speeds averaging 44kph and knowing there was a strong tailwind on the way back, thoughts did turn to a potential course record. However, Noble dropped his chain with just a couple of kilometres to go. Sosinski rode away but was no match for Noble\u2019s power on the bike and he was soon recaught. With temperatures and humidity rising, the two lead men exited T2 together, but within 5km, Noble had a one minute lead over Sosinski, which he continued to extend to take the win in 3:45:17, just 15 seconds shy of Jan Frodeno\u2019s 2018 course record. Sosinski crossed the line in 3:48:31 while hometown hero, Tuan Chang rounded out the men\u2019s podium in 3:53:40.<\/p>\n
\u201cTaiwan\u2019s awesome, everyone is so welcoming, especially the triathlon community here,\u201d said Noble. \u201cThe bike was awesome but getting off, it was really hot – those run conditions are brutal and I kept saying to myself just hang on, hang on. I\u2019m always getting seconds and thirds so it feels really good to get a win.\u201d (text continues after video)<\/em><\/p>\n