Alex Gregory: British rower happy in men’s eight in World Cup

Alex Gregory (left) was part of Team GB's gold medal-winning coxless fours at London 2012

Britain's Alex Gregory is happy to race in the men's eight in the World Cup in Italy this weekend to help the team get all their boats into the Rio Olympics.

Gregory won gold in the coxless four at London 2012 but has switched to the eight to help them gain qualification.

Olympic places for 2016 will be earned at the World Championships in France between 30 August and 6 September.

"The primary goal is to make sure every boat is on the start line in Rio," Gregory told BBC Radio Gloucestershire.

"We found ourselves in this selection of crews, boats and classes and we are all very happy with it. The likelihood is this will be the boat, it's never ideal mid-season to change crews around significantly.

"Saying that you are never sure of your seat. At the moment the plan is to forge ahead to the World Championships. I like the challenge of these new boats and forming new crews."

There are two World Cup regattas between now and the World Championships - this weekend in Varese and then in Lucerne July 10-12.