HE WAS a sporting legend with a business empire looking after hundreds of home owners.

Today tributes have been paid to a former British Ironman record holder, property tycoon and beloved friend.

Julian Jenkinson has been described as "one of the good ones" and a "genuine, true gent with a heart of gold."

Now people across the county have paid their respects to the 49-year-old who died after becoming unwell while on a training cycle ride in the New Forest on Saturday.

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

Friends have said Julian was inspiring, professional and always concerned about other people and news of his death has come as "a complete shock".

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

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.

His competitors have said that even after 30 years of racing he was still at the top of his game.

Avid cyclist and triathlete Chris Ray competed against Julian for more than 10 years and at the top of their careers they were considered rivals, competing together in the National, European and World Championships as well as for Team GB.

The 49-year-old from Taunton said: "Julian was a very special person who was genuine, unpretentious and let his talent in triathlon and cycling do his talking. He most definitely 'walked the walk' and his smile - win or lose - was infectious.

Daily Echo:

"He died doing what he loved best, he was such a genuine guy, always cared about everyone and was very down-to-earth, it's a massive shock and my heart goes out to his family. We became good friends and it's a massive loss."

Richard Lies from cycling firm RaceNewForest said: “My wife Joanne and I have known Jules for a very long time. He was already a top triathlete when I met him.

"He was an inspiration. He did not suffer fools easily. He was really important in making the sport mainstream.”

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.

Friends have also said Julian gained his doctorate after studying biochemistry at the University of Southampton.

Roger Bell, chairman of the Southern Landlords Association, said: “I am absolutely shocked by his death. He was a great guy. He will be a very, very big loss to the community because of his ability. I was only just with him on Monday evening, what terrible news.”

Tri UK owner Ali Boon worked with Julian throughout his time as a British Ironman record holder, sponsoring him for races.

She said: "It's devastating, he was a genuinely nice guy, one of the good ones. It's a real shock he was young and healthy, but if he was going to go, what better way than cycling, something he loved of much that he pursued it for most of his life.

"He was such a professional, he lived his sport and was very well respected by everyone I have very fond memories of travelling to Hawaii and seeing him competing in a full body suit in the sweltering heat so that he could put ice in the suit to stay cool, he was very clever and always coming up with ways to improve, it was inspirational and I can't believe he is gone."

Dave Savage from Savage Sports added: "I can't think of too many people who have put more into sport in this region. He was British champ for a long, long time and renowned for his biking skills, he will be sorely missed. I was racing around the same time as him but not in the same distances but I always followed him through his career, he was the best GB triathlete, held the record for years, he was widely recognised as brilliant and in top form throughout, he was a true gentleman and my thoughts go out to his family."

Philip Graves, the youngest ever winner of the Ironman competition, took to Twitter to pay tribute calling Julian an inspiration.