ZAC Purchase conquered all in front of him on his way to a Beijing 2008 gold but four-time Olympic champion Matthew Pinsent is urging the rower to forget about titles in the run-up to London.

The 25-year-old ex-King’s School Worcester pupil, alongside Mark Hunter in the lightweight double scull, was unstoppable in 2008, going the season unbeaten and topping the World Cup standings before rounding it all off with gold in China.

Purchase did not stop there, claiming gold in Karapiro at last year’s World Championships, only for a virus to strike him down in his stride.

The duo surprisingly finishing fourth in the opening World Cup event in May in Munich, Germany. But Pinsent insists there is no reason to panic with Purchase failing to climb the podium, willing him to look at the bigger picture with London 2012 on the horizon.

“Zac is obviously the defending Olympic and world champion but they just need to get a solid season, they don’t have to win,” said Pinsent.

“I think they just need to set themselves up for 2012 and a run-in that hopefully will be injury and illness-free.

“I know Zac and Mark won everything in the run-up to the Olympic gold in 2008 but I don’t think they necessarily need to get caught up in trying to repeat that over the next year.

“I really didn’t expect them to win in 2010 in Karapiro, and they did and it was great, but they’ve got to realise that other people look at them and think, ‘We’re going to beat them’.

“So I don’t think they have to win this year. I think a good, solid performance all season and then step it up in time for London.”

Purchase is closing on full fitness after the virus, missing both the Lucerne World Cup leg, which starts today, and the Henley Regatta.

Adam Freeman-Pask joined Hunter at the events and Pinsent is calling for more of the same, asking Purchase to not rush back and risk his Olympic defence. Pinsent added: “When you’re injured or ill, that is as much a mental test as it is a physical one. I know that Zac will be desperate to get back.

“He’ll feel time is running through his fingers but the biggest trap waiting for someone is to come back too soon.

“You train too hard when you’re back and then the injury or the illness continues.

“But he’s experienced and knows what he is doing so I don’t expect it to be a problem, fingers crossed.”

GANT and Leander Club are pleased to announce the launch of a new partnership to support ‘Join Leander’s Journey’, their campaign to develop the international athletes of the future.