MAX Whitlock will look to deliver a performance in France today which could help secure his place at London 2012.

The South Essex club gymnast is part of a Great Britain team going for glory at the European Championships in Montpellier.

Whitlock, 19, Huntingdon’s Louis Smith, 23, Southport’s Daniel Purvis, 21, Earls’ Kristian Thomas, 23, and Hinckley’s Ruslan Panteyleymonov, 28, are hoping to secure the five spots at the London Games, which will be announced on July 4.

Whitlock, who trains at the Basildon Sporting Village, admits he is close to achieving a once-in-lifetime opportunity.

“It’s really hard to say, but if I do a good job at this tournament it will give me a massive chance, especially if I get into the finals I want to get into and hit my targets,” he said.

“But to be honest we have an amazing squad. There are 14 of us all fighting for five places so it’s going to be so tough.

“But to be in the five-man squad at this stage is as good as I can be doing at the moment, and I just hope I’m still in that top five when the decision for the Olympics is made.”

Today’s action will see the team bidding to qualify for Saturday’s team final and the individual gymnasts for Sunday’s single apparatus finals.

Whitlock said the British team’s main competition is likely to come from Germany, Russia and Ukraine, while one of the main obstacles to his own hopes for individual pommel gold will come from GB teammate and Olympic bronze medallist Smith.

Whitlock said: “He’s a great pommel worker and if he goes clean he’s going to be the one to beat.

“But in recent times I think I am getting up to his level.

“I’ve got my starting score nice and high now, so if I have a solid routine I can compete with all the top guys.”

South Essex’s Brinn Bevan, 14, has also been selected for the junior competition in France, and Antony Wise, 16, has travelled as first reserve.