OLYMPIC bronze medallist Tom Ransley admitted his rowing return to Eton Dorney this weekend will be tinged with sadness.

The 27-year-old competed at London 2012 under the York City Rowing Club banner, but he has since joined Henley-based Leander Club.

The latest regatta in the Samsung World Cup series will be held on the Olympic lake, starting today, with Ransley taking up his regular seat in the Great Britain eights boat.

The University of York graduate said: “I’m a bit sad going to Dorney for the first time not representing York City Rowing Club.

“I always aimed to get the club Olympic representation and, now that I’ve done that, I’m enjoying rowing for a club that I can actually visit on a daily basis.

“But I am officially a life time member of York City Rowing Club and they’re always my true club.”

Ransley added that he was “looking forward” to racing at Eton Dorney in a new-look eight, which features North Yorkshire-born Olympic gold medallist Andrew Triggs Hodge, along with Oliver Cook, Dan Ritchie, James Foad, Mohamed Sbihi, Will Satch and Pete Reed, plus cox Phelan Hill.

The eights race in the heats today, while the repechage tomorrow will decide the line-up for Sunday’s final.