Mark Aldred is delighted to be able to carry on the London Rowing Club tradition of competing in Great Britain’s lightweight four in the European Championships.

The 27-year-old, while racing in the lightweight pair, won double gold and a bronze in last year’s World Cup, and now he is keen for more success in the bigger boat.

“Last season was my first in the squad,” he said.

“I’ve had a taste of success in the big events and there’s two more steps, so that does drive me on.

“I’m very excited – I’ve never been to a European Championships before and I haven’t rowed in the lightweight four at Olympic boat class before.

“Four boat races are notoriously very close because we’re all the same size, so that will be something to relish and I’m expecting to be in quite a few close races.”

Aldred completed his first season with the GB team last year, but has been a member at the London Rowing Club since 2009. “It’s good to keep up the London presence in the lightweight four, we’ve had a bit of a history over the past few years of athletes in the boat.

“It’s good for the club and its good to have representation in different categories – light men, light women [Imogen Walsh], and the women with Jess [Eddie] – it’s good to have a bit of a spread.”

Aldred will row with Chris Bartley and the Chambers brothers, Peter and Richard.