Aaron Royle usually trains with an all-star cast.
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A member of Joel Filliol's elite triathlon squad, the 30-year-old spends the bulk of his year on the road in Europe alongside the likes of World Champions Mario Mola, Katie Zaferes and Jacob Birtwhistle.
But when COVID-19 hit, the group went their separate ways.
For Royle that meant a return to the Australia. After a short spell in Newcastle, Royle has shifted to the Illawarra, a region he spent 12 years living and training before he relocated to Europe.
"At the start, we had the rules around how many people you could train with, so originally I was doing a lot by myself," Royle said. "Now we can get out in small groups and train together.
"My fiancee, Non Stanford, is a British Olympian, so I do quite a bit with her, Barbara Riveros, a Chilean Olympian is also in Wollongong, Max Stapley is here as well. Normally I have a training group full time... it's been good doing a bit by myself and then fitting in with others when I can as well."
The shutdown came at a frustrating time for Royle, the triathlete building towards his peak in an Olympic year.
Optimism remains he will return to racing in September, however that is uncertain at this stage.
Royle concedes motivation has fluctuated throughout the past couple of months, but an underlying love for the sport has helped him remain focused.
"It's about doing what you enjoy.
"I enjoy keeping active anyway. Even if it wasn't my profession, I'd have a full-time job, but I'd still be active, so that's a big part of it.
"So I'm motivated to exercise anyway, but it's important to know you don't have to be motivated all the time. If you're not that motivated at times, it's okay, you can't stay motivated year round.
"So instead of focusing on an event that isn't going to happen, if you do what you enjoy and you realise it's okay not to be super motivated, it's a lot easier to keep training."
The rescheduled Olympics will mark the first time a mixed triathlon relay has been contested at the Games, an event the Australians have excelled in recent years.
Royle and Birtwhistle are the leading male contenders to contest the relay and while they may have to wait another year to vie for gold, Royle remains focused on the ultimate prize.
"I'm really motivated by the relay. It's an Olympic event, Australia has been on the podium at the World Championships the last five years and I've been lucky to be part of that the last two.
"Qualifying and making sure I'm in the relay won't be easy, but it's my goal.
"It will be a strong team that will be very competitive for a medal."
