Redgrave backs Triggs Hodge and Reed to return to four

By Gerard Meagher, Sportsbeat

SIR Steve Redgrave has backed Andy Triggs-Hodge and Peter Reed's return to the coxless four and expects the duo to help Great Britain's flagship crew defend their Olympic crown in London.

RIGHT DECISION: Sir Steve Redgrave believes Andy Triggs Hodge and Peter Reed are right to move back into the four (Getty Images)

Throughout 2009, Triggs-Hodge and Reed turned their attentions to the pair and made a flying start by collecting World Cup gold in Banyoles last May.

But from then on they consistently came out second best to New Zealand pair Eric Murray and Hamish Bond and were forced to settle for silver at the World Championships last August.

In 2008, the duo, along with Steve Williams and Tom James overcame tumultuous preparations to claim gold in Beijing but with Williams and James both taking extended breaks from the water, that four was disbanded.

But while Williams has retired, Triggs Hodge, Reed and James have both signalled their intentions to return to the four and five-time Olympic champion Redgrave believes they have made the right decision.

"I think it's very likely that Andy and Pete will move back into the four. They wanted to make it in the pair and they're an outstanding pair, there's no question about that," he said.

"And they came across two New Zealanders who were pretty outstanding.

"New Zealand as a country were expected to do well last year. There was a lot of frustration from them having underperformed at the Beijing Olympics.

"They were out to prove a point, whereas for our guys, it's all about London 2012. World Championships are important but not that important.

"Could they make it as a pair? Yes they could do. But have they got more chance of gold at London in the four? Yes."

While the return of James, Triggs-Hodge and Reed will no doubt strengthen the four, those who stepped into the breach in 2009 were Great Britain's only gold medal winners at the World Championships in Poland last August.  

The new-look quartet consisted of Rick Egington, Alex Partridge, Matt Langridge - all silver medallists in the eight in Beijing - and Alex Gregory, two of whom will most probably make the transition to the pair next year.

And Redgrave believes that while the four will be among the favourites for gold in London, he is not so sure about those who make the step down to the pair.

"The thing is that if you put the two best athletes back into the four, then the four is likely to be more of a potential gold medal winning boat," he added.

"But then the two guys that come out of the boat, will they make it as a potential champion pair? Probably not.

"So as a country I think we might not possibly do quite as well but there is a much better chance of getting gold."