"Josh is going to be a real star," warned Hoppe, who acts as the youngster's mentor. "He won't only become a professional, he'll be a top one, and he's just going to get better and better.

"Until Wednesday, I had hopes of getting my course record back but Josh has put it not only out of my reach but everyone else's as well. And he probably won't reach his peak for another 10 years yet so he's going to go a lot quicker.

"That was a phenomenal time and I don't think there's anyone locally who will get anywhere near it.

"What was particularly impressive was that he did it in his first outing on the course this year. Usually people get faster with every race during the series and I'm convinced if he did the next race this Wednesday he'd go even faster."

Daniels is being tipped as a future Olympian – for 2016, although London in 2012 can not be ruled out – and Hoppe insists only the amazing talent in depth in Britain can stand in his way.

Hoppe added: "If Josh represented any other country I'd put money on him competing in London in four years time.

" The only thing that could stop him is the fact Britain is going through a 'Coe, Ovett, Cram-type era' in triathlon.

"We are by far the number one nation in the world and Josh is the second best Under 18 in that nation.

"Tom Bishop is the best Under 18 in Britain and is a great talent but even he's not out of Josh's reach now.

"Josh has natural ability in the swim, he hammers it on the bike and he's turned the run – which used to be a weakness – into a strength.

"When Pete Galpin, who is recognised as one of the best runners in this area, broke the course record last year his run split was 19.12 – exactly the same as when I broke the record – and yet Josh did 19.19 on Wednesday.

"It's very difficult to try and catch Josh because he's aggressive on the bike and when you find yourself two or three minutes behind him going into the run it's soul destroying, as I found out earlier this year.

"I was very proud of my 49.10 course record and even when Pete did 49.02 last year I had hopes of getting it back but Josh has put it out of reach.

"I certainly can't get it back and I don't think Matt will either."

Gunby has won European silver and world bronze medals this year but Hoppe (below) can not see him challenging Daniels' new mark.

He added: "I think Matt could maybe do 48.30. I was talking to him about the record recently and he's the same as me, he's not a time triallist.

"But Josh is so mentally tough that he can keep pushing himself without needing anyone else around him.

"Josh and Matt are two young athletes who are achieving great things at a very young age.

" They have the potential to achieve so much over the coming years and it's a very exciting time for the sport in this area."