Ben Swift on Milan-San Remo: 'Second is the worst place'
British sprinter Ben Swift reflects on his second podium appearance in Milan-San Remo, after narrowly missing out


In the Milan-San Remo chaos today, a shot of black emerged under the Italian Sun in the form Sky's Ben Swift. His last-minute charge was enough to overtake many along Via Roma, but not Frenchman Arnaud Démare (FDJ). After third in 2014, he placed second.
In the sun-soaked Ligurian seaside town, Swift followed up his team's work and avoided the crash of Fernando Gaviria (Etixx–QuickStep) to record his highest ever place in a monument.
"I was third in 2014, 13th last year and second year," Swift said. "Obviously to get second is one of the worst places to get because you're so close to victory. But I'm kind of happy. I'm second to Arnaud Démare who's a brilliant sprinter. I think this shows that it's a race for me, with the results I've had in this race so hopefully I've got a few more years to keep trying."
The 28-year-old from England has raced Milan-San Remo three times already.
>>> Arnaud Démare wins Milan-San Remo, Ben Swift second
"I have to say Milan-San Remo, it's where I've had my best results and best suited to my characteristics," continued Swift.
"It's a good race. Obviously, it's always disappointing not to get the win but I think in the end after 300 kilometres we've got to be happy with how the race went. There's not much more I could have done there."
Sky covered every angle but lacked a bit of extra punch when a crash took out Geraint Thomas and Pete Kennaugh. Kennaugh returned, but Thomas took more time to re-start his race.
Ian Stannard followed an attack with Giovanni Visconti (Movistar) and the two rode alone from the Cipressa to the Poggio. Former World Champion Michal Kwiatkowski attacked near the top of the Poggio and escaped solo until an express train led by Fabian Cancellara (Trek-Segafredo) passed him in the final two kilometres.
"We knew that we didn't have the favourites for the race so we wanted to make it an aggressive race. Geraint Thomas crashed out so that cost us a lot of firepower and unfortunately Pete Kennaugh crashed as well, so it wasn't as aggressive as we would have liked it to have been but we were aggressive where we needed to be," Swift added.
>>> Five talking points from Milan-San Remo
"We had a super-strong team. Michal Kwiatkowski did a brilliant job there in the final, he put a lot of pressure on the guys to chase. I just tried to stay as relaxed as possible coming into that finish. Yeah, it is what it is."
In 2014, Swift placed third behind winner Alexander Kristoff and Fabian Cancellara
"I think it's a harder feeling really than in 2014. At the moment, I kind of feel… not flat, but not overjoyed, because second place is perhaps one of the worst places you can finish. But I'm happy to be back on the podium," Swift added.
"Everything was perfect. I stayed as hidden as possible, I didn't do anything. I think the only time you'd have seen me was in the last 200 metres, which was what I wanted. I played it really calm in the finish. Last year I was really nervous and I wasted a lot of energy and I paid for that."
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
Spoon Vars Disc road bike review - custom goodness with a premium price
Custom-made carbon road bike inspired by the Alps and with a lofty price tag to match
By Myles Warwood • Published
-
An e-bike battery causes yet another blaze and London Fire Brigade issues a safety warning: should we be worried about electric bikes?
London Fire Brigade reports 'incredibly concerning rise in incidents involving e-bikes and scooters'
By Hannah Bussey • Published
-
Ineos set to launch new Kenyan cycling academy with Eliud Kipchoge - the first man to run a marathon under two hours
The multinational chemicals company will work in partnership with Ineos Grenadiers and Eliud Kipchoge
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Tadej Pogačar will race at Milan-San Remo despite feeling sick: 'That won’t hold me back on Saturday'
The Slovenian isn't feeling "100 per cent" but doesn't expect this to negatively impact his race
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Caleb Ewan latest rider to withdraw from Milan-San Remo with illness
The Australian has picked up a stomach flu, joining Jasper Stuyven, Julian Alaphilippe and Sonny Colbrelli on the sick bed
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
How to watch Milan-San Remo 2022: Live stream the first Monument of the season
Don’t miss a moment of the action of the Italian Monument
By Ryan Dabbs • Published
-
Have you heard the one about why Australian track riders dye their hair blonde? Ineos Grenadiers's Luke Plapp reveals all as he seeks world track and road glory
The Ineos Grenadiers youngster is expected to be one of the peloton's strongest time triallists in the ensuing seasons
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Tom Pidcock and Geraint Thomas to make season debuts at Volta ao Algarve
David Gaudu, Remco Evenepoel and Tobias Foss will also race in Portugal from tomorrow
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Who is Kim Heiduk, Ineos Grenadiers' young German signed to bolster their sprint and Classics options?
The 21-year-old spent three years at the U23 team Lotto-Kern Haus
By Chris Marshall-Bell • Published
-
Surprise: Egan Bernal posts video of himself walking unaided following crash
Colombian has returned home for rehab after spending two weeks in hospital after his collision
By Adam Becket • Published