Paul Bennett says he is relishing the chance to show the public what he can do as the world champion prepares for the British Indoor Rowing Championships at the Lee Valley VeloPark.

With time ticking down to Rio 2016, the country’s rowers are gearing up for a monumental year that will see them try to earn their spot at the biggest show of all.

For Bennett it is a chance to add to his two World Championship gold medals from 2014 and 2015 and try and make his Olympic bow.

And Bennett will line up with teammates and members of the public alike on rowing machines this Saturday in a bid to claim the national indoor title – with the double world champion eager to strut his stuff in front of a home crowd.

“The British Indoor Championships is an amazing opportunity to be rowing in front of the public,” said Bennett, who has been working with SAS to create a Perfect Rowing Programme which highlights the intense daily routine that Olympic athletes go through in the gym. 

"The machine is where we spend a lot of time training but we are closed off for a long time so to have members of the public there will be amazing."

“It’s pretty unusual to be in public and say this is what I am capable of. I’d like to be up there competing with the top guys at the moment and we are all within touching distance of British records."

“For me it’s hugely important and in the back of my mind I have an idea of what kind of speed I should be doing."

“Where we are at the moment we have a ridiculously strong British rowing squad and we are moving in the right direction which is really positive."

“But alternatively it could be a case of let’s get going a little bit because we only have nine months here but I am full of confidence at the moment.”

Paul Bennett was speaking on behalf of SAS – the leader in analytics software and services. SAS is the Official Analytics Partner of British Rowing and the GB Rowing Team at www.sas.com