TROWBRIDGE international sprinter Danny Talbot has escaped the gloom of the British winter to continue his preparations for the 2015 season in South Africa, writes KEVIN FAHEY.

The 23-year-old has travelled with coach Dan Cossins to an official Great Britain training camp in the wine heartlands of Stellenbosch for a couple of weeks of intensive work under the African sun.

“Danny is running very well and coping with the extra load of the 400m work,” said Cossins.

“Early indications are he’ll be competitive with the best 400m runners indoors.”

The experiment with the quarter mile, held over two laps indoors, was agreed between Talbot and Cossins to bring some extra variety to the 200m specialist’s normal indoor season.

Last winter, Talbot concentrated solely on the 60m and brought down his personal best to 6.62secs, which later in the summer translated into PBs over both 100m (10.14secs) and the 200m (20.36secs).

He also secured his first UK senior title over 200m.

But this winter, Cossins was keen for Talbot to work on his strength and endurance so hence the decision to test himself over 400m, which ultimately, the coach believes will be his best distance.

“Danny will open his season with a 60m in Dusseldorf (January 29) and then will race his first 400m in the Birmingham Games (February 7),” added Cossins.

Ultimately, the target this summer will be to qualify to run the 200m and 4x100m relay at the 15th World Championships in China at the end of August.

Last year, Talbot was selected for the British team to compete at the inaugural World Relay Championships in the Bahamas and then helped England finish second in the Commonwealth Games.

He was seventh in the individual 200m but was knocked out in the semi finals of the Europeans.