Interview: Team Sky's Ben Swift
Ben Swift had a banner year in 2011, the British Young Gun, took seven wins -
Swifty looks ahead to 2012 aiming to continue his progress with the Olympics a
big goal....
Ben Swift is a British professional road cyclist, who is currently riding for
British cycling outfit, Sky Pro Cycling. He was born in Rotherham, United
Kingdom on November, 5th, 1987, recently turning 24 years old. Swift is
approximately 143 pounds (65KG) and is measures 5 foot, nine inches. Swift
has recently signed a three year contract with team Sky Pro Cycling.
After signing his contract Swift commented, He said:
“I’m delighted with the way things have gone over the last two years and am over
the moon to have signed this new contract. The support the team have given me
both on and off the bike has been absolutely fantastic and I just hope I can
keep progressing now and win more bike races. We’re a really tight-knit group
here and I’m really looking forward to seeing us push on and grow as a team.”
Tour of Romandie Stage 5, 2011: Swifty Wins!
Photo © 2011 Fotoreporter
Sirotti
A talented all round rider with a dynamite sprint, 'Swifty' started in the
BMX ranks; he showed his grit early as a teenager winning 5 national
championships as a junior on the track.
Swift showed well as he switched to road possessing a fast finish. His first
pro experience came riding with the Barloworld squad as a stagiare in 2007.
During 2008 he raced for the British Cycling development team and won his first
UCI ranked race; the Coppa della Pace in Italy. Later that year he
finished 4th in the UCI U23 Championship road race. The effort was
rewarded with a two year pro contract (2009-11) with Katusha where he rode his
first Grand Tour, the Giro d'Italia finishing 132nd in his grand tour debut.
Swift's contract was picked up by Team Sky in 2010 and he delivered his first
result for the team opening his pro account at the three day Tour de Picardie,
winning a stage, the points and best young rider jerseys and the overall.
2011 Tour Down Under: Ben Swift off to a good start for the season winning 2
stages comes back to the podium for another round of his kisses from the misses
Photo © 2011 Jarrod
Partridge
2011 was a banner year for the 23 year old adding seven victories to his
palmares: opening his season with two stage victories and 3rd on the G.C.
at the Tour down Under (his first ProTour wins); sage 5 of the Vuelta a Castilla
y Leon; Stage 5 - Tour de Romandie; and stage 2 at the Tour of
California besting faste men Peter Sagan and Matthew Goss.
Swifty also rode his second grand tour at the tour de France finishing 137th
riding in support of the team after losing major time due to waiting for team
mate Wiggins crashed and was forced to abandon.
Luke Allingham-What do you like about team Sky Pro Cycling?
Ben Swift: I like the organization and the structure of the team, you know who
you need to go to if you need anything.
L.A.: Your goals and plans for the 2012 racing
season?
Ben Swift: I just want to keep the momentum going from this year I want to go
on and get some bigger wins but also the Olympics are a big, big aim.
Stage 5 win at Romandie: Ben Swift enjoys the Podium ceremonies.
Photo © 2011 Fotoreporter
Sirotti
L.A.: What is your interpretation of being a professional cyclist?
Ben Swift: I love it, it is my dream job and I can’t think of doing anything
else.
L.A.: -Who is your favorite professional cyclist of
all time?
Ben Swift: I use to have loads of favorite riders but I remember really liking
Robbie McEwen. I used to have a poster of him up on my wall. I just like the way
he use to race.
L.A.: Many teams/riders have said they're afraid of
the RadioShack-Leopard Trek merger, do you think it will be a dangerous team in
2012?
Ben Swift: For sure it is going to be a strong team, but there are a number of
strong teams out there now, We need to wait and see how they actually race
together next year before we can say if they are strong or not.
L.A.: How will you personally train during the off season?
How do you train during a typical week?
Ben Swift: This winter will be
slightly different, as I will be doing a lot on the track. But I will still be
putting in the hard yards out in the cold British winter.
L.A.: Do you have any hobbies that you do off the bike?
Ben Swift: have a old 4x4 Land Rover Disco that is good for a bit of fun
when I have some easy periods
L.A.: How did you get interested in cyclesport?
Ben Swift: My dad used to be a good cyclist, and he got me into it. I did my
first race when I was three and a half and I have been on my bike ever since.
L.A.: What is your favorite career win so far? Why?
Ben Swift: I think my stage of the Tour of Romandie this year, just because
of the terrain and how things planned out. We went in there with a plan and it
worked.
L.A.: What are yours thoughts on the current race
radio ban topic?
Ben Swift: I quite like it as it makes for really exciting racing. I think maybe
one of the guy could have a radio but not the team leader, maybe just one of the
workers. Because then it makes the team talk more and ride together, and you can
warn the team of any dangerous things coming up in the race.
Spring
Interview with Ben Swift by Imelda March
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