Max Gawn

Every morning, when the cyclists prepare for the start of the stage, you can recognize some of them. Figures that are distinguished from the rest by some particularity or a certain familiar gesture. Although none of them is more unmistakable at the Saudi dawn than Max Gawn.

Gawn stands out thanks to his two meters and eight centimeters in height. A beacon in a sea of cyclists, amateurs and professionals, who look small beside him.

For some people, Max Gawn’s name is that of a true legend of his sport. ‘Gawny’ is one of the great Australian rules football stars of recent years. He has been a seven-time All-Australian and Player of the Year in his discipline in 2018.

“I love cycling, although I don’t normally get into the dirt that much. I do more road than mountain cycling,” explains the 32-year-old colossus. “I love adventure and I don’t get as many opportunities to ride races like this, so when they come up I always ask myself, ‘Why not?’”

For Gawn two things stand out above the rest of what he’s experienced so far in the NEOM Titan Desert Saudi Arabia: “The scenery and the food. I’m eating better than in a lot of fancy restaurants.” Two reasons to be here and to repeat another year: “We’ll see how much sand is left, but I’d almost say count me in 2025. Just almost…”