A BUSINESS tycoon and successful sportsman has died suddenly on a training cycle ride.

Julian Jenkinson, was a former British Ironman record holder and property tycoon and was known for his athletic prowess and real estate business.

The 49-year-old is known as one of the longest record holders in the country, having dominated the triathlon world and keeping his title for 13 years.

He lived in the New Forest with his wife of just six months Erica.

Avid cyclist and triathlete Chris Ray competed against Julian and said: "Julian was a very special person who was genuine, unpretentious and let his talent in triathlon and cycling do his talking.”

Julian pursued his passion for cycling since the age of 19 and travelled the world as a triathlete before gaining the world record for British Iron distance in 1995, holding the title until 2008.

He was a major figure in the region, with links to the Southampton Triathlon Club, New Forest Running Club, Tri UK and taking part in races across America and raced across the world, including in Lanzarote, Hawaii, Spain and France.

As well as his career as one of the country's biggest triathletes, Julian was also known across the South for his real estate business, Studentnofee Property with a portfolio of more than 200 homes for students and residents in the region.