Campbell confident he can better Drysdale at Worlds

GREAT Britain's Alan Campbell is confident he can overhaul reigning champion Mahe Drysdale at next month's World Rowing Championships in Poland. 

WORK TO DO: Alan Campbell believes time in on his side as he bids to become the world's number one sculler

Drysdale was crowned world champion in 2005, 2006 and 2007 but could only win bronze in Beijing after being struck down with a virus - with Campbell finishing fifth.

The Northern Irishman won this year's season-opening World Cup regatta in Barcelona, with Drysdale absent, but the New Zealander returned to action to claim victory in Munich.

And it was Drysdale who came out on top again at the Henley Royal Regatta, inflicting Campbell's first singles defeat in 12 races in the Diamond Challenge Sculls final.

But Campbell - who will sit-out the final World Cup regatta in Lucerne this weekend to continue his world championship preparations - insists he can chip away at 30-year-old Drysdale's dominance.

"I'm confident that Mahe is beatable but he's in fantastic form. He is the man to beat and he's really come out and set the standard," said Campbell.

"In some ways he's stronger than he was before the Olympic Games, having already won three World Championships then.

"He is the man to aim for and he is the man to beat but I think it puts a lot of pressure on him.

"We've got to find a way of beating him and I'm confident I can improve and will get stronger.

"I'm only 26, I'll be 29 in London, and hopefully age will play into it as well."

GEORGE SCOTT