Greg Swinand has revealed details of a massive training load on the eve of the Vets' National Road Race Championships. Pictured here by Sean Rowe winning the Newbridge GP in March after getting clear in a three-man winning move with team mates Anthony Walsh (left) and Sean McKenna (right).
By Brian Canty
Reigning national vets' time-trial champion, Greg Swinand believes Keith Gater is the “red-hot favourite” for tomorrow’s eagerly-anticipated nationals road race in Multyfarnham, Co Westmeath.
Swinand, who holds five Irish titles across a range of disciplines, is expected to be right in the mix and having come second to Hugh Mulhearne last year, the big UCD CC man does not lack the will to win again.
“No, there's certainly no lack of motivation,” the Canadian-born Irishman said.
“You need so many things to go right for you on the day that’s it’s very hard to call. But, for sure I want to win."
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Swinand said while he expected smaller field to turn out than is down to start, because the race was rescheduled from its original June date, he believes it will be just as tough.
"The main characters are all there, except for Martin O’Loughlin. You're never confident about winning a bike race.
"So much can happen; tactics mishaps, accidents, anything. And this is Irish amateur racing; you’ve to factor in the weather, roads, fewer team tactics. But I guess that’s what makes the whole thing so interesting.”
Swinand in the yellow jersey at the Tour of Ulster this year; he took the lead by winning stage 1 alone in great style after 100 miles (Photo: Marian Lamb - Cycling Ulster)
Asked who the main men are to watch he named Keith Gater of Aquablue as "the hot favourite", having won or been runner-up in his last three races, though most would apply that tag to Swinand himself.
"But you can’t forget Hugh Mulhearne," said Swinand.
"He's the defending champion and he won the scratch race last weekend at the vets' track championships. And there's also some dark horses; as Des Woods from Newry is just one.
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“But Gater is the man to beat. He’s very good. When Damien Shaw attacked in Laragh last Sunday only he and Sean McKenna could go with him."
Swinand had suffered a puncture at that point and so could not respond, with Gater going on to attack the other two in the move and win the race on his own.
Swinand has been consistent right throughout the season and as well as holding the yellow
jersey in the Tour of Ulster after winning the 100-mile opening stage, he won the Stamullen GP solo in April and the Deenside Cup in swashbuckling fashion in early June.
And he has no intention of stopping after this weekend as he will target the individual pursuit at the Masters World Track Championships.
So, what’s the secret to being so consistent throughout the year?
“Simple, correct training and not getting sick or injured," he said.
"I've been on the bike almost 35 years non-stop and really watch what I do. I take my training seriously and don’t do it for the sake it; I haven’t the time.
"So my training weeks vary wildly, depending on what my goals are. For the track, for example, and in the time-trial and the individual pursuit, I’ll maybe do 10 or 12 hours because not that many hours are actually needed.
"But a big thing for me is the commute to work when I’m racking up road miles. So in the spring I go the long way to work in Dublin from Wicklow over the Sally Gap once a week. That makes it five hours in one day.
"In the spring when there are no races I’ll rack up around 20 plus hours a week. There’s no magic formula unfortunately.”
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