Ineos Grenadiers' Ben Swift has no plans to retire at end of 2023 season, sets Grand Tour goal - 'Why stop?'

ByEurosport

Published 01/03/2023 at 09:50 GMT

Ineos Grenadiers rider Ben Swift has been a professional cyclist since 2009, and aged 35 is considered one of the veterans in his team. Swift, who has taken on a mentor role for the younger riders in the team, insists he has no plans to retire anytime soon. The former Team Sky rider also reveals he has the ambition to make his fifth appearance at a Giro d'Italia this year.

Ineos Grenadiers' Ben Swift says he does not have any plans to retire at the end of the season.

Swift is one of the senior members of the team, and as well as acting in a support role for the team's stars, he is hoping to continue to play his part.

“I’m still loving it, to be honest. Like I said to my family, if you’re willing to keep going and you’re still capable, why stop?” Swift told Cyclingnews.

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“If I was really getting my head kicked in and not enjoying it, that’d be different. But you can’t just have a team full of younger, inexperienced guys, you also need people who’ve been around a bit, like me.

“Maybe I’m not developing anymore as a rider. But I am still moving forward, and with these new training techniques and the way everything is getting more professional, I think you can keep going. And in my case, I think I will, at least up until I’m 37. I’m still up for it.”

Swift has become a mentor for the younger Ineos Grenadiers riders and has clarified what the role involves.

“People get confused with the terminology of mentorship. It’s all not about dictating and ‘do this’ and ‘do that'," he said.

"Even if sometimes that’s necessary because younger riders are not going to know everything. It’s more about leading by example, showing the way that we race as Grenadiers, and keeping those habits up.

"And me just being me, with my level as a professional, that helps me do it too.

“I had guys like Matt Hayman and Bernie Eisel looking after me without anybody saying anything.

“So while some progression comes naturally, it’s more about passing my experience on in that way, too.”

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As well as being a mentor, Swift says his personal ambition is to race at this year's Giro d'Italia as Ineos aim to win their first Grand Tour since 2021.

"I had a good start to the year, so I want to get into that Giro d’Italia team and support the squad there. All the guys for there are already doing really well," he said.

“It’s the same as every year. I want to get the best out of myself and for the team.

"If I get any results along the way, then brilliant but then I’ve got the chance to work with a full array of riders, from young guys to sprints with Elia.

“I think being versatile like that is good, but I’m also getting stronger and more resilient."

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