Ben Swift desires to win a race and is eyeing a return to the Tour de France in what might show to be the ultimate season of his lengthy profession.
The Ineos Grenadiers street captain has created a distinct segment function for himself on the Giro d’Italia the final three years, utilizing his flip of pace in 2024 to, amongst different issues, block eventual champion Tadej Pogačar at intermediate primes and help teammate Geraint Thomas to 3rd total.
Swift opened his 2025 marketing campaign in Australia, alongside Thomas, competing on the Tour Down Under, the place he completed fifth on stage one behind in-form pure sprinter Sam Welsford (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), after which the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.
“Pretty thrilling,” he mentioned of the 12 months forward.
“Looking at classics once more. I wish to get again into Grand Tour racing once more.
“Whatever it’s, you already know, in the direction of the tip of my profession, it is perhaps my final 12 months, it won’t be, you already know, I’m nonetheless having fun with it. So, I’d like to return to the Tour once more however clearly that’s exhausting to get into on this staff. We’ll see.”
While Ineos Grenadiers is a good distance from confirming its lineup for the Tour, Thomas additionally desires to return in his swansong 12 months. The 2018 champion has referenced supporting Carlos Rodriguez for the overall classification. Egan Bernal, who competed in France alongside Rodriguez final 12 months, additionally made headlines just lately, with biking followers frothing at a brand new Strava document he set in coaching on a legendary climb in Colombia.
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Swift has discovered further motivation within the staff’s shift away from an all-for-one and one-for-all deal with GC at Grand Tours to a extra attacking model, which additionally probably will increase his probabilities of going again to La Grande Boucle.
“I’m actually thriving on that,” he mentioned.
“I feel what I’ve proved within the Giro the final 4 or 5 years is that they know what I’m able to. It would simply be good to vary it up a bit bit, however regardless of the staff need, on the finish of the day, I’m right here for the staff to present my finest in each race.”
The late signing of Australian sprinter Caleb Ewan is one other indication of Ineos Grenadiers’ extra multifaceted orientation at Grand Tours, amid a proverbial arms race for climbers.
Swift says he received’t be on the “Caleb programme” however anticipates performing some races with the Grand Tour stage winner, who quietly break up with Jayco-Alula over the low season, having joined his ‘dwelling’ staff following an acrimonious exit from Lotto-Dstny.
“I feel what you noticed in Tour Down Under, we have been doing a very good job, we have been simply missing that pure, pure sprinter,” Swift mentioned. “Myself and Sam [Watson], we loved the sprints, we loved getting caught in, however we have been all the time going to be a little bit of a restrict in comparison with the actual pure, pure sprinters. So having Caleb on the again of there, it ought to hopefully open up extra doorways for the staff and simply to get extra wins for the staff.
“I feel for him as effectively he’s had a little bit of a tough time and I feel he’ll want this,” Swift continued. “And the way in which we’ve been driving, on and off the bike, we’ve had a good time right here and I feel we’ve obtained that staff unity, and he’ll match straight in.”
Swift’s first goal in Europe would be the spring classics, although, he’s diplomatic when requested about particular goals there and the season at giant.
“The days are gone the place I used to be focusing on San Remo and stuff like that,” he mentioned.
“Of course, if the chance got here, you’d like to take it, however we’ve obtained guys that may observe Pogi [Pogacar] and stuff like that on that Poggio now. I feel carry out one of the best I can and no matter that opens up.
“My private ambition I wish to win a race,” he continued. “That’s all the time the target yearly, wherever it’s.”