World record cyclist Mark Beaumont has been confirmed as a member of the 12-man rowing team who are to attempt to break the record for rowing across the North Atlantic Ocean in June 2009.

The Edinburgh based ultra-endurance athlete successfully completed his record breaking circumnavigation of the world earlier this year, cycling 100 miles a day, for 195 days.

However, for his next expedition, Beaumont is shifting away from the individuality of cycling around the world into a team environment, which hopes to break the world record for rowing across the North Atlantic from New York to Falmouth.

The 25-year-old athlete was chosen from a group of 35 ultra-endurance athletes, who all participated in a number of courses to test their physical and mental strength for the gruelling challenge of ocean rowing.

“It was a tough challenge, quite a few guys dropped out entirely and you’re just trying to find the guys who are not only gym-fit but also the people who have psychologically got it.” Beaumont told In The Winning Zone.

He continued: “It’s a great relief to hear that I’m definitely included in the squad. It’s my next big expedition in a team which will be really interesting, I can’t wait.”

Although he has been battling against a foot injury, Beaumont is ready for the challenge which lies ahead. “I’ve had two months off due to breaking my foot but to come through the selection process is amazing and I can now begin to ramp up the training now that my injury has fully healed.”