Oxford head coach Sean Bowden said he hasn’t lost any of his motivation for the Boat Race.

Sunday’s race, sponsored by Xchanging, is the 152nd in the series between Oxford and Cambridge.

"I want to win. I’m highly motivated to make my contribution as big as possible and to win the race," he said. "I think this race is fantastic and each years you see more and more in it to discover and learn about.

Bowden said weight is only part of the combination of factors that can impact on the race.

"Weight is only part of it. You can have big bad athletes and small good athletes. We look at the quality of the athletes. That’s the thing that’s going to make the difference in the end.

"I think both sides are well prepared to race on either station, and that’s the way it should be," said Bowden. "They are really experienced guys and it’s their job to deliver and make the best of every situation.

"We have to try to win the race on the first stroke and we have to be prepared to win it on the last one.

"There’s always pressure and I still get butterflies, but they’re not too bad, and I now get them flying in formation!" he added.