Greg Searle glad GB rowing selection battle is over

Great Britain rower Greg Searle is glad the battle for selection is over and the squad can focus on competition.

The 40-year-old from Chertsey has been named in the men's eight for the World Cup in Serbia this week.

He told BBC Sport: "It's been a tough selection period and there's been lots of head-to-head competition.

"I feel for some of the guys who haven't made it but we're now complete. Nothing is nailed down but we've got real direction and determination."

The Molesey Boat Club member, a coxed pairs world and Olympic champion in the 1990s, added: "We're looking for what's going to make this thing go fast at the Olympics, rather than trying to prove your seat and your worth.

"Now we're all on the same side and looking at the other countries, where the real opposition lies."

This weekend's World Cup event in Belgrade is the first of two such events before the Olympic squads are announced on 6 June and Searle knows they are crucial in the build-up to the Games.

"The World Cup series is really good preparation for us," he continued. "We'll use each race to learn, build and prepare ourselves to race as well as we can in London.

"There's a bit of pressure in the crew because we know we're not finalised until later in the year and we have to perform well enough.

"But we also know we've got a long-term view."

There will be BBC coverage of the World Cup regatta in Belgrade this weekend (4-6 May).