GORDON BENSON
The 2016 Rio-Olympian Rio Olympian answers yyour Qs on the use of pilots, his bike sessions and, erm, custard…
“I enjoy motor-pacing sessions the most. You’re able to get a really good drag from the scooter and focus on your pedalling and position at high speeds”
Looking back on Rio now, what sticks out most in your mind? JAKE RICHARDS, VIA EMAIL
For me, Rio was an amazing stepping stone and a life goal of becoming an Olympian is now completed. But I came back with a burning desire to return and do so much more. While I hated how the race turned out for me [he DNF’d after a bike crash], it was amazing to be part of Team GB, who really delivered.
Do you think there’s still a place for a pilot athlete in the GB men’s team at top-level competition? KATIE BEECHES, VIA EMAIL
I think there’s a time and a place for pilot athletes. For me, it was a great opportunity but it’s not something we should use every race. I believe in targeting medals at the Olympics, so doing everything to support that in the Games makes sense to me. Ideally Team GB would have three medal-potential athletes come Tokyo, but if not the pilot door will be very much open.
What’s your favourite bike session and why? LIAM HOULDEN, VIA EMAIL
On the bike, I’m mainly better at the shorter, sharper stuff, but I’d say I enjoy motor-pacing sessions the most. You’re able to get a really good drag from the scooter and focus on your pedallingpe and position at speeds no orth of 50km/h.
What do you do to prepare for and recover fromfro a heavy bike session? PA AUL ORSON, VIA EMAIL
Prior to a heavy bike session, I try y and get a good hour horizontal with my feet up and look for something relatively laxing on Spotify. I fuel well for the session but eat differently depending on the session and then drink a can of Red Bull just before heading out, so the caffeine hits just after the warm-up as we get going. To recover, I sometimes do a bit of foam rolling and stretching but I also replenish my salts and calcium lost within the session.
What’s your guiltiest pleasure food-wise? JONATHAN MASON, VIA EMAIL
Hmm, anything in custard.
Which races do you have planned this year? MATT BOLTON, VIA EMAIL
Red Bull Neptune Steps [an open-water challenge that sees participants swimming through 420m of cold water and climbing 18m over eight canal lock gates] will be something new and completely different for me to kickstart the season. From there, I’m keen to get back into racing at the front so I plan to start this year with some European Cups, followed by a World Cup in Chengdu, then dropping back into the World Series in Yokohama and following the WTS from there. I definitely want to race Leeds WTS, and Blenheim is in my plans too. It’d be great to come back from there as National Champ.
How different do you think the WTS will be this year without Jorgensen, Jenkins, maybe Gomez and the Brownlees…? ALISON GRAYSON, VIA EMAIL
I’m sure a few big names missing from the WTS won’t go unnoticed but, for me, little will change. I’ve got my head down training at the moment and it should pay off when I race, you can only race against those on the start line. I guess it might be a window of opportunity though, so I’ll try and capitalise on it when I can.