Q & A: Ben Seneviratne (Full Gas Racing Team)

Ben Seneviratne (Full Gas Racing Team) takes the VeloUK Q & A and looks at his highlights of 2017 and the goals for 2017 and much more!

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Q & A: Ben Seneviratne (Full Gas Racing Team)

1. How did you get into cycle racing …
Ben: I used to watch cycling when I was a youngster and always dreamt to do what the professionals could do. I asked for a race bike for my birthday when I was much younger and have been hooked ever since.

2. What’s your favourite discipline in cycling?
Ben: I absolutely love crits! I am suited to them quite well as I am a punchy rider with a strong sprint. They are also super exciting especially the closing mile or two, surfing the wheels to get ready for the sprint.

3. What is the best thing about bike racing?
Ben: The best thing about bike racing is the thrill of it. Being inches from other riders, going at speeds you didn’t think were possible on two wheels and the excitement of giving it your everything for that victory.

4. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Ben: The highlight of my 2016 year was coming 2nd on GC at the Revolve 3 stage race – a race I had targeted from the start of the season in my race schedule. Also achieving my 1st category license despite having a season troubled with crashes and illness.

Winning at Berkhamsted GP

5. What was your favourite/most fun race of 2016
Ben: I really enjoyed the John and Dulcie Walker Memorial Road Race this year. The rolling course really suits me and I was going in with some good form. A break struggled to get away but established after 60km’s. I followed Matt Cronshaw of Madison Genesis’s wheel and managed to get in the break which was flat out the entire time. The break didn’t survive but was great fun to be pulling with some big riders.

6. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Ben: The Lincoln GP was by far the hardest race I’ve done. I knew it was going to be a tough day out but being caught behind a crash after 5k meant the chase back on was extremely hard, despite having Ian Bibby’s wheel to follow…

7. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Ben: I would say the myth of training more makes you faster. It does to an extent but I’d say training more specifically is what makes you faster in the long term.

8. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Ben: Hard choice but running Di2 electronic gears on my Specialized S-Works Venge definitely helps to make racing that little bit easier.

9. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Ben: I normally listen to music when warming up on the rollers. The music varies depending on what mood I’m in.

10. Will you stay in the UK to prepare for next season during the winter or get in a training camp or two abroad to get in some serious miles?
Ben: I have started preparation for the 2017 season in the UK. The team and I aim to fly out to Spain for a week or two early next year to get some altitude and base training in.

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11. When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Ben: I have already started my training for 2017. As I finished my season quite late this year I have started training for the up and coming season a bit later than usual. I make a conscious effort to put some long base miles in this time of year as you need a good grounding for when the intensity of training steps up. During most weeks I will also do one or two turbo sessions but nothing too hard. I also in-cooperate some strength and conditioning in the gym.

12. What are the goals for 2017?
Ben: My main goal for 2017 is to get my elite license. Mixing it up with the top riders in the UK excites me and when I achieve this goal I feel I will be rewarded for the hard work that I have put in over the years.

13. Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)
Ben: As I am at university still it means I can get out during the day when I don’t have lectures. A typical week at the moment will consist of a few base endurance rides during the week, one or two turbo effort sessions and then two endurance rides Saturday and Sunday depending on the weather.

During the winter I really like to do some cross training as it’s good for the body as well as the mind to mix things up. I normally go for a run or a swim both of which I’m awful at which normally motivates me to get back to riding, something I’m ‘ok’ at…

14. Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Ben: It’s better to wear too many layers and take them off than not to wear enough and freeze!

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