Jeremy Royer, the 23-year-old skier from the Chamrousse Ski Club (Belledonne mountain range near Grenoble), is the new recruit for Team Nordic Expérience.

After years of racing in traditional cross-country skiing, Royer finally chose to dedicate himself entirely to long-distance skiing. Jeremy talks with ProXCskiing about his journey, the reasons behind his choice, and his ambitions for the coming season.

Jeremy, you were on the junior French ski team. When and why did you finally choose to focus on long-distance skiing? 

“It’s a very current choice. I chose to focus on the long-distance races last year. Even when I was racing on the traditional tour, there were some long-distance races I liked to do during the winter. Now I focus on Ski Classics because I find the tour very attractive.”

Last winter winter you won Le Marathon de Bessans and La Foulée Blanche. You have also raced a few Ski Classics events, such as La Diagonela, where you finished 36th. What are your ambitions for this coming season?

“I would love to do a full Ski Classics season and get into the top 20 or better as many times as possible.”

In the last few years, you have been training with Team Vercors Isère, another French team. Why did you finally choose to join Team Nordic Expérience?

“I spent three great years with Team Vercors Isère, which allowed me to build my project for my first three years as a senior. But I reached a stage where my project was no longer in line with Team Vercors Isère but fitted perfectly with Team Nordic Expérience. So, I chose to change team to go as far as possible in my long-distance project.”

What will be the most significant changes in your training this year? Do you already know your new teammates?

“I think the biggest change will be in the volume of double poling training. I’ll have to do a lot of kilometers in double poling to be able to handle the races.”

“For the team, I already know them all, more or less. I have already raced against them in France, and I am looking forward to sharing training camps and races with the team. My first training camp with them will be on July 10th in Prémanon, in the Jura mountains.” 

ProXCskiing also talked with Pro Team Director Maxime Grenard about Jeremy Royer. 

“We know Jeremy well! He has been focusing on double poling for a few years now. We had him on a couple of Ski Classics last winter, and it was natural that he joined us,” and continues:

“He is still young, and with more experience, I am sure he can go and play up front regularly like Thomas. I am very happy that he has decided to take the step and join us. I can’t wait to see him with the other athletes in the first training camps and races,” concludes Maxime Grenard.