LONDON 2012: Gregory admits Hodge and Reed are favourites to return to the men's four

By Sportsbeat staff

ALEX Gregory admits he expects Great Britain's world champion men's rowing four to be broken up in Olympic year - but he's determined to be part of the new-look quartet.

COMING BACK: After failing to beat Kiwi rivals Hamish Bond and Eric Murray, losing 14 straight races, Olympic champions Pete Reed and Andy Triggs Hodge are expected to return to the men's four for Olympic year (Getty Images) 

Gregory, Ric Egington, Matt Langridge and Tom James were unbeaten last year but taskmaster British coach Jurgen Grobler will not respect past achievements as he prepares to finalise his flagship boat.

Great Britain have won the men's four at the last three Games and reigning Olympic champions Peter Reed and Andy Triggs Hodge, who have been rowing as a pair for the past three years, are expected to return to the fold.

British rowing holds a trials meeting at the Olympic venue in early March, with athletes competing in pairs against each other and the clock.

Grobler will then make his big call - with five-time Olympic champion Sir Steve Redgrave already suggesting Triggs Hodge and Reed, who have lost 14 consecutive times to Kiwi rivals Hamish Bond and Eric Murray in the pair, must get two of the four seats.

"Jurgen doesn't tell us his inner feelings and thoughts but I suppose the indication is Andy and Pete will come into it," admitted Gregory, who will row with Alex Partridge at the trials.

"At the moment it seems the four will be the lead boat and that's what I want to be in. I want to be coached by Jurgen for the Olympics because of the fantastic record of success he has.

"It's the boat for Britain, we have the best history in it and a run of three successive Olympic golds. To win a fourth one in London would be something everyone wants to be a part of.

"Last year we had a perfect year. We won every race we did with a great crew and all got on really well. It was most enjoyable year of rowing I've had but I'm realistic and I knew what might happen.

"After the World Championship the slate is wiped clean and we have to prove ourselves again. It certainly won't be a surprise if the crew is different. I've just got to prove to Jurgen that I can be in the top boat."

Gregory was a reserve for the Beijing Games but has won two world titles since in Poznan and Bled.

He will shortly travel to a team training camp in Portugal before returning for the all-important trials on Dorney Lake, where the final just happens to coincide with his 28th birthday. Reed and Triggs Hodge will race together, having won the event last year, while James and Edgington will be another rival partnership.

"It's easy to race against Australia or Germany as you don't know the people but it's hard to race against your friends and team-mates in the trials," added Gregory, during a conference call organised by the British Olympic Association. 

"I find this the hardest time of year but as a group we are very supportive of each other because I think we respect each other enough.

"We've got a huge history of success and we've got a training programme that really works. I've seen a progression over the last four years since I was spare in Beijing. I've got better and better and more consistent."

© Sportsbeat 2012