Hanne Desmet and Bart Swings came to tell their story of the Winter Games on Tuesday evening in De Afspraak on Canvas. When it came to the strong match in the mass start of Swings, the skater gave an insight into his tactical plan.
“I knew in advance that the Dutch (Sven Kramer and Jorrit Bergsma) would attack and they did that really well. They took turns with little time in between.”
“I had already agreed with my trainer before the game that I would go after every Dutchman. We wanted to go full for the win.”
“I soon noticed that if I didn’t close the gap myself each time, the Dutch would drive away. Only after the third or fourth time I started to wonder whether I would last, because of course I brought all the sprinters to the finish.”
“The Swings plan” had also taken this into account. He had to get the Dutch back and at the same time hurt the competition behind him. “Sometimes I close a gap by accelerating step by step.”
“Now I always reacted quickly and explosively, so they also had to bite their teeth behind me.”
Bart Swings is known as someone who is concerned with all the details. His studies as a civil engineer have often been mentioned in recent days with his golden achievement. That would give him greater analytical skills.
“Maybe”, Swings himself had some doubts. “I always have a tactical plan before the game. That gives me peace and confidence, because the circumstances are always hectic.”
“Whether my game turns out well or not, I always have the feeling that I got everything out of it.”
