Adam Van Koeverden.
ONTARIO -- Olympic and world champion Adam Van Koeverden in his natural habitat, kayaking on a pristine lake in Algonquin Park. September 26, 2011.
Randy Risling / Torstar
Oakville's Adam van Koeverden, 30, gives his take on his main competition for gold in the K1 1,000 at the London Olympics.
"It's a solid group of guys, (and) more racers than in previous years because everyone is focused solely on the 1,000 metres without the 500 metres as an option," says van Koeverden.
Max Hoff, Germany: "He just won the European championships. He's a good friend, a solid competitor, and a four-time world champion."
Rene Poulsen, Denmark: "He's a three-time World Cup champion and an Olympic silver medallist, so he's on everyone's radar. He recently finished second to Max at Euros, and he won the K4 with Denmark's flag-bearer Kim Wraae Knudsen."
Aleh Yurenia, Belarus: "A young-gun World Cup champion and first-time Olympian, he is one to watch for sure."
Eirik Veraas Larsen, Norway: "I don't think we've seen the last of (him)." He's won gold and silver in the last two Olympics in the 1,000.
Tim Brabants, Britain: "An old guy like me (at age 35)," Brabants is the defending champion at the distance.
Anders Gustafsson, Sweden: "He's my training partner, and he hasn't been off the podium in an international competition since 2008 or something like that. So he's a big gun, and I know he's fast because I train with him every day. ... There's plenty more (contenders), too."
-- Torstar News Services