CONSTANTINE Louloudis believes his Boat Race experience has put him in good stead for an assault on Olympic gold.

The 24-year-old, alongside Leander Club’s Alex Gregory, as well as Mohamed Sbihi and George Nash, is hoping to help Great Britain’s men’s four to a fifth victory in a row.

They got off to a flying start in Rio yesterday, convincingly winning the third heat by more than four seconds to book their place in tomorrow’s semi-finals.

Louloudis would be following the likes of Sir Steve Redgrave and Sir Matt Pinsent in winning gold in the four.

And, according to the former Oxford University Boat Club president, the memories gained from four Boat Race victories will help him deal with the pressure in Brazil.

The former Summer Fields School, Oxford, pupil, said: “The Boat Race is an experience in handling high pressure because in a multi-lane race you can escape the focus and come second or third.

“In the Boat Race you are going to win or lose, be elated or distraught.

“There is no better thing than to have that experience under your belt when you step up to the Olympic final and are faced with the fact four years of hard work boils down to a few minutes.

“The experience of four boat races will help the nerves a little bit.”

He added: “There are going to be some tough moments where you are going to have to calm yourself down and remember the things you have taught yourself to do over the years.”

Rio is Louloudis’ second Games after he won bronze in the eight at London 2012.

Having already overcome the obstacle of competing at his first Olympics, which was also only his second senior regatta in a Great Britain vest, he feels more prepared.

The London-born rower said: “I remember seeing loads of faces of the world’s best rowers and thinking ‘oh my God they are competing in the same race as me’ and it bowled me over a little bit.

“I now see myself on a par, I have a right to be there and to go for a win.”