Search
shop

Royle ready to keep evolving as middle distance profile grows

Aaron Royle is quickly becoming a serious threat over the middle distance.
Staff Reporter
Last updated -
Get the ultimate guide to destination racing

Despite having only switched his attention to middle distance racing less than a year ago, Australian Aaron Royle continues to impress following his transition from the short course scene as he finished second at The Championship.

The two time Olympian was beaten only be an exceptional Mathis Margirier on Sunday, as the Aussie held off German star Frederic Funk and fast finishing veteran, Pieter Heemeryck, in a thrilling final 5km.

Having finished on the podium last year at a PTO Tour event in Edmonton, this past weekend’s result is another step in the right direction as the PTO World #9 looks to establish himself as one of the best middle distance racers in the world.

Advertisement

“It was pretty much survival”

Dissecting the race after finishing, Royle candidly summed up the effort it took to stay in contention for the podium throughout the day, sharing that the intensity was on from the start.

“It was really tough, it was a really hard race from pretty much the start. Both Fred and Mathis were pushing really hard on the bike and I had to go pretty deep just to stay in there.”

Having come off the bike with Margirier, Funk and Brit Tom Bishop, with three minutes to the chasers, Royle went with eventual winner Margirier for the first two laps, before losing contact and running solo for the best part of 15 kilometres.

“I tried to run with Mathis for the first two laps or so, and felt okay, but knew I couldn’t keep that pace up without completely exploding, so I tried to settle into my own rhythm a little.

“That was okay until about 3-4km to go and then that’s where the wheels really came off, it was pretty much survival to the finish line after that.”

Aaron Royle, The Championship 2023 run (finish)
Photo: Bartłomiej Zborowski/Activ’Images

“I need to keep evolving”

Giving his thoughts on what it would take to now keep the momentum going and turning these podium finishes into wins, Royle said that with such strong strength-in-depth, it is hard to just be competitive, but that improving more on the bike is his best bet.

“The level is increasing, year-on-year or almost race-on-race at the moment and with the investment from the PTO, the 100km format a relatively similar distance to a 70.3 so a lot of people are targeting that and getting good at that specific distance.

“I think I need to keep evolving and keep adapting, but ultimately I need to get better, because I am there on the swim, can keep up on the bike, but it is just taking too much out of my run.

“I think building some bike strength, getting more adapted to that effort on the bike, which won’t happen overnight, as I spent a lot of time trying to get my biking to this point, is key, so that I can then start to run to my potential.” 

Aaron Royle, The Championship 2023 bike
Photo: Bartłomiej Zborowski/Activ’Images
Tomos Land
Written by
Tomos Land
Tomos Land is a triathlon & running journalist whose expertise lies in the professional world of short course & long distance triathlon, though he also boasts an extensive knowledge of ultra-running.
Discover more
tri-fit vortex tri suit review
TRI-FIT VORTEX tri suit review – race day approved performance
Maja Stage Nielsen Kat Matthews Jocelyn McCauley IRONMAN Texas 2023 podium photo credit IRONMAN
PremiumRacing to keep up: Is social media making us train harder?
Cadomotus chronos aero triathlon cycling shoes
The triathlon cycling shoe that promises a 10-watt saving: Cadomotus Chronos Aero triathlon cycling shoes review
Wahoo ELEMNT RIVAL
PremiumTraining to heart rate vs power on the bike
Caroline Pohle Lena Meissner ironman 703 jonkoping sprint 2025
PremiumHow to pace a triathlon to leave it all out there WITHOUT blowing up
latest News
Tim Don Supertri Toronto 2025
Tim Don: Watch out for Jonny Brownlee bounce back and Fanni Szalai at Supertri Chicago
Morgan Pearson run T100 San Francisco 2025
Morgan Pearson born to run – ‘maybe I’m the T100 X Factor with a lot to prove’
Georgia Taylor Brown smiles Supertri Toronto 2025
‘It might take a miracle but I’ll give it my best shot’ – can GTB repeat Supertri Chicago win?
Sam Renouf CEO of the PTO
T100 Valencia replacement announced as PTO chief acknowledges “challenges” with 2025 calendar
ironman hamburg 2025 podium laura philipp kat matthews solveig lovseth
Matthews and Løvseth clash again in star-studded IRONMAN 70.3 Zell am See
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.

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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

All plans include a 7-day free trial

£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...