Rio-bound triathlete Aaron Royle could very well have the famous Nepean Triathlon named after him in future years after he won his third straight title last Sunday.
Held at the Sydney International Regatta Centre, the 25-year-old dominated the famous local event from start to finish with a winning time of 1:28:55.
Speaking with the Weekender after the race, the Newcastle-born triathlete said this year’s victory was by far his finest.
“The race was good, it was probably one of my better ones out of the three,” he said.
“Just to go from start to finish by yourself makes it that bit more rewarding, and to do it in such a dominant fashion was nice as well.”
Royle believes the reason he is so good at Australia’s oldest triathlon is because the race suits him so well.
“It certainly plays to my strengths and I just seem to have a good run every time I’m there,” he said.
“The Nepean Triathlon is normally late in our season and I’ve been able to hold good form at the right time.”
Meanwhile, the female winner of this year’s Nepean Triathlon was experienced triathlete and 2008 Olympic bronze medallist Emma Moffatt.
The 31-year-old took out her second Nepean Triathlon in three years with a winning time of 1:35:30.
Moffatt said it was great to return to the race after having to withdraw last year with a torn calf.
“It had been a couple of years since I last raced there but I felt pretty good this year and I’m very happy to come away with the win,” she said.
“It was a little bit on the crisp side to start the day but warmed up nicely by the run leg… it was almost perfect conditions.”
1400 competitors entered this year’s 34th Nepean Triathlon, which held a total prize pool of $76,500 – the richest in Australia. The prize money attracts some of the sport’s top competitors.
Both Royle and Moffatt hope to return next year to defend their titles.
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.