His second consecutive title at Noosa would cap an outstanding year for the 24-year-old, after he won bronze in the teams relay at his first Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Royle will take on his Commonwealth teammates Ryan Bailie and Dan Wilson, who was second in the recent Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast last month.

After taking out last year's event, Royle is confident he can deliver a repeat performance on Sunday.

"I feel like my form is as good this year as last year," he said.

"I came off a bigger year than normal. But once I got back from North America, I've concentrated on some non-drafting training on the time trial bike and I'm in good form."

While Bailie and Wilson shape as Royle's biggest threats, recent Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie champion Brad Kahlefeldt and 2012 Noosa winner Peter Kerr will also be in the hunt.

In the women's event, home-town favourite and 2013 runner-up Ashleigh Gentle is the red-hot favourite following the withdrawal of defending champion Emma Moffatt, who has failed to overcome a calf strain.

Like Royle, Gentle is coming off a win at the Nepean Triathlon.

"I am really happy with my win in Nepean and I am certainly hoping to come away from Noosa with a positive result," she said.

"To win at Noosa means a great deal. It's an iconic event that is cherished by many Australian triathletes, especially us Queenslanders."

The women's field will also include Czech star Radka Vodickova, a wire-to-wire winner at Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie; Ironman Asia Pacific champion Caroline Steffen and reigning back-to-back Ironman Cairns champion Liz Blatchford.