ON THE SPOT... Liam Killeen (From Malvern Gazette)

ON THE SPOT... Liam Killeen

1:10pm Friday 1st August 2008 in Local By Mark Stanford

MALVERN will have a representative at next month's Olympics in Beijing in the form of mountain biking superstar Liam Killeen.

Living in the town since he was 11, Killeen was inspired to get on his bike after watching the Malvern Classix at Eastnor when he was a boy.

Since then the 25-year-old has competed at events across the globe, including the 2004 Athens Olympics.

But his career highlight came two years ago at the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne where he won a gold medal.

Read as Killeen reveals his emotions on the podium, his hopes for Beijing and what makes Malvern special to him.

1- How is your training going for the Beijing Olympics? What does training entail on a weekly basis?

My training over the last few weeks has gone really well.

I've just come back from the World Championships in Italy, where I finished 4th. This was the best in terms of preparation due to me coming through the field after starting from 78th position.

I feel like things are coming together in this next chunk of the season, including the Olympics.

My training varies from the time of the year and my travel programme. On average, I spend between 15-18 hours of riding per week. With probably at least one rest day.

Rest and recovery is as important as high intensity work.

2- Are you confident of medal success in Beijing?

I was 5th in Athens four years ago, so I'm confident I can have a top five in Beijing. It's all about a bit of luck and good form on the day which could give me a medal.

People only think its four weeks to go until the Olympics but it could make a big difference in a week to 10 days in training and the ability to perform at your best.

So, I'm confident that I can make a steady, progressive curve to the Olympics for the end of August.

3- When did you start mountain biking? What are your first memories of it?

My first experience of biking was in the early 1990s. I was about 12 and I went to Eastnor to watch the Malvern Classic, that was my first memory, where my attention was first drawn to mountain biking. I got myself a mountain bike and entered local races.

It really appealed to me; training, travelling round the country, going to races. It was exciting and I've stuck with it.

I started racing internationally when I was a junior. I progressed from the juniors to participate in European Championships and become the Commonwealth Games champion.

4- What have been your career highlights so far?

Winning gold in Melbourne stands out obviously.

Another highlight was getting a top-10 in a World Cup, first as an elite rider when I was 19.

Hopefully, there will be another highlight in winning gold in Beijing.

5- What were your emotions when you stood on the podium in Melbourne about to receive your Commonwealth gold medal?

I was confident I was going to have a good race.

Everything went well leading up to the Melbourne race. It was really a relief, I had my bit of luck.

I can't really remember how I felt. I remember being happy and that it was good for England as Ollie was second. It was a good day for English mountain biking.

I thought 'I can't believe it's actually happened'. It's very satisfying. You can only prepare, focus and make it happen.

It makes up for all of the training, all the races that have not gone so well, I was going through the usual emotions of racing on that day.

6- If you could play another sport professionally, what would it be and why? What other job would you be doing?

I think it would have to be an individual sport. I've always liked cross-country running. It has a similar thing to cycling- it's an individual effort and endurance sport, off-road in the countryside. I enjoy watching athletics. I watch other sports but never imagine myself being involved at a high level.

My dad's a guitarist, I have always thought I could have done that apart from racing. When I was younger I thought of going down the musician route.

I'm into Blues and Rock music. I like listening to the Black Crowes, Led Zeppelin, Primal Scream, Guns 'N' Roses. I sometimes ride my my iPod on- it's something to focus on whilst I'm training.

7- Why is it important for you to still live in Malvern?

Malvern is a really good place to ride a mountain bike.

It's a really fantastic training environment for a cyclist. Lots of rolling hills, challenging roads and lanes. The Malvern hills are great to ride in.

If you're prepared to train on your own its OK, I travel to a lot of races. I'm not home for many extended periods.

I like being somewhere I know well. I know the route I want to take to do a ride. That comes from growing up in the same place. Malvern is in a great, central location.

8- Away from the track, what do you like to get up to?

I'm into my home, I spend a lot of time in the garden, growing vegetables. I like to play some guitar, do some cooking.

9- How would you sum up your career so far?

It's gone pretty well so far.

I've been racing for over 10 years now. A good progression from watching at Eastnor, through the juniors, then the under-23s eliete category.

I feel I'm only halfway through my cycling career. I can go on to my mid 30s. I will be 30 when the Olympics come to London in 2012.

10- What are the career goals left for you to achieve?

Still to be competing at a top level in 2012.

People probably think its only about the Olympics but there are always World Cups, World Championships and European Championships to compete at. They are all important races that mean at least as much as winning a medal.