Matt Hanson produced one of the all-time great triathlon runs to take second place and $70,000 in the PTO 2020 Championship at CHALLENGEDAYTONA®, the most lucrative race in the sport’s history.
The 35-year-old American’s stunning 57:22 split over four 4.5km laps of the Daytona International Speedway® – the best time of the day – saw him storm up the field from 22nd place after the race’s 2km swim and 80km bike ride.
Norway’s Gustav Iden claimed victory in 3:05:06, but Matt was less than a minute behind in 3:05:57 and it was his run that had people talking afterwards.
“Yeah, the last lap was definitely a bit of a blur,” he said. “I think I started the last lap in eighth or ninth and ended up second – it was an important lap for sure.”
Matt felt his outstanding run had been coming all season, but he also pronounced himself happy with his swim and ride.
“I’ve been waiting for my run to show up all year and I picked a good day to have a good day I guess,” he said. “I biked really well and I was pretty happy with where I came off the water to set up the day.”
Here is the gear he used to get him to the finish line fast:
Swim
Goggles: Zone 3
Wetsuit: Quintana Roo Hydro six
Speedsuit: Quintana Roo Hydro speed
Trisuit: Own way apparel
Bike
Bike frame: Quintana Roo PR six 2
Frame size: 54
Aero Bars: Drag 2 Zero
Front wheel: HED Vanquish 9
Rear Wheel: HED Vanquish disc
Front tyre: Veloflex 23mm
Rear tyre: Veloflex 23mm
Tyre and Tube type: Clincher
Component Groupset: Shimano + SLF motion
Power meter: Rotor
Head unit / Computer: Garmin
Crank length: 170mm
Helmet: Kask Bambino Pro Evo
Pedals: Speed Play
Cycling shoes: Bont Vaypor S
Cleat System: Speed Play
Eyewear: Helmet Visor
Gearing: 55/42
Saddle: ISM PN 3.0
Hydration System: Profile Aeria
Run
Shoes: ON running Cloud boom
Sports Watch: Garmin
Eyewear: Koo Open Cube
Headwear: First Endurance Visor
