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16 things we learned from tonight's Road to Rio documentary

Let us know what you thought of this week’s episode.

RTÉ’S ROAD TO Rio documentary continued tonight, with appearances from Rob Heffernan, cyclist Martyn Irvine and Ireland’s 49er class sailing team, Matt McGovern and Ryan Seaton.

Just like the previous two weeks, it delivered, and it has added to our excitement for the games on top of this week’s additions to Team Ireland.

Here are a few of the standout moments and quotes that grabbed our attention.

1) There’s a lot more to 49er class sailing than you think

One person steers with the tiller and controls the tactics, the other controls the sails and speed. “It’s crazy, things get out of control”- And that’s just the sailing part, the gym work is another story.

Ryan Seaton and Matt McGovern Tom Gruitt Tom Gruitt

2) “The reason we sail with each other is because we trust each other and we know we’re not gonna let each other down, and if we do, we’re gonna try and sort it out”

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3) Martyn Irvine left his job as a car mechanic and started cycling at the age of 17

Martyn Irvine on his way to finishing second Guy Swarbrick Guy Swarbrick

4) His world title in 2013 was Ireland’s first gold medal in world track cycling for 117 years

Martyn Irvine celebrates with his gold medal Guy Swarbrick Guy Swarbrick

5) He moved to Mallorca for the cycling facilities and his wife Grace put her career on hold to support him

wife

6) Track cycling training consists of racing in packs after a motorbike

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7) “Cycling’s unhealthy, people think cycling’s great for you – not track cycling, it’s a brutal thing”

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8) “The thrill of whipping round the bank – going from 30k an hour to 50k an hour – it’s a buzz, it’s a bit of a rush”

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9) “My birthday will be go home and have a recovery shake, probably stretch and go to bed”

The dream 30th birthday for Matt McGovern.

bday

10) “I’ve got an Olympic tattoo on my back, I’ve got to make sure I prove to people that I’m good enough”

Behind Ryan Seaton’s messing and joking, he is a serious person at times.

ryan

11) The amount of equipment track cyclists keep behind the scenes is unimaginable

bikeeee

12) “When things are going well, you forget what you did to get good”

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13) “I think we’ll go for another one like, another two or three after Rio. We’ll have a lot of hours to fill during the day!!!”

bikeeee

14) “I like maybe the progress, hurting myself, seeing the numbers go up, get fitter, faster”

That doesn’t look like something people normally like, Martyn.

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15) We said it last week, but the 50km walk is one HELL of a tough event.

“When you look around the course and see fellas being carted off in ambulances and fellas colllapsing – anything can happen in 50K”

bikeeee

16) “If you’re driven enough you’ll get something out of it, I’m actual proof. If I’ve left any sort of a legacy it’s that hard work pays off eventually. Perseverance wins in the long run”

bikeeee

All non-INPHO images via RTE.

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LAST WEEK: 15 things we learned from the second episode of RTÉ’s Road to Rio documentary