Last night, Aaron Royle became the 2012 GE Canary Wharf Triathlon Champion after beating off strong competition from Jarrod Shoemaker and Aaron Harris to secure a deserved victory in nail-biting finish, just one month before the Olympics heads to London’s East End.
Royle took the crown after an exciting sprint finish in which Beijing Olympian Shoemaker pushed him every step of the way down the home straight.
Royle came through the first heat in style in first place that set him up nicely for a tilt at the title in the final. As the crowds gathered at Canary Wharf, Royle carried his early form into the decider and put in an incredible performance to claim the champion’s trophy.
Australian Royle, who took the title formerly held by compatriot Brendan Sexton, said: “These sort of races are always going to produce something very exciting. It’s exciting for the crowds here but it’s hard work for us, but also a fun race because it’s different and very fast.
“Although I led most of the way it’s hard up at the front and I certainly wasn’t comfortable on the way round, I had to work hard. At the end, I knew someone was coming but I was too scared to look behind to see who it was.
“Along the back straight I was a little bit worried that if they caught me there, I might not be able to hold on but once I got to that top corner, I was going to give it everything to make sure I could hold them off.
“The atmosphere has been great, this is my second year here, last year I got fourth and had a blast but to come back this year and win has topped it off.”
Second-placed Shoemaker, who recorded a disappointing time of 17.16mins in a shortened heat, said: “I had an awful first heat, I was on my own for a lot of it but I said to myself that it was just a warm-up. In the race, I wanted to go for it, have fun and be smart and it worked out great, the end was so close.
“I knew I was catching him (Aaron) but I knew he would go for it, so it was a lot of fun.
“This race is unbelievable, there is such a great atmosphere and where else can you do something like this?”
Third-placed Harris, who took the 2011 British Triathlon Super Series title, said: “The swim was okay, but there was no way I could have caught up with those three guys, as they are really good swimmers and they worked really well on the bike. Towards the end, I was confident I could catch them when I turned the corner, I thought not this again with another Australian ahead of me.”
Elite competitors will now look ahead to the last two races of the season, the GE Strathclyde Park Triathlon on 2nd September and then the Virgin Active London Triathlon on 23rd September as the race to be crowned 2012 British Triathlon Super Series Champion enters the home straight.
For more information about the British Triathlon Super Series, visit www.britishtriathlonsuperseries.com
