Ryan O’Keefe to race in the Melbourne to Warrnambool on Saturday

A dual AFL premiership star is pursuing a new sporting love and an event this weekend in Victoria might be his toughest challenge yet.

Former Sydney Swan Ryan O'Keefe will compete in the Melbourne to Warrnambool on Saturday. Picture: AAP Image/Dean Lewins

Norm Smith Medallist Ryan O’Keefe has made a remarkable switch in professional sport and will compete against some of Australia’s best cyclists in an endurance race this weekend.

The 2005 and 2012 Sydney premiership star will compete in Australia’s longest one day cycling road race, the Melbourne to Warrnambool.

O’Keefe, 44, took up cycling after his AFL retirement in 2014 and in December competed in the Tour of Bright, in Victoria’s northeast.

He’s also ridden the same path as those in the Tour Down Under.

“I’ve been a very keen cyclist for a long time, even when I was playing footy, but when I retired I took it up pretty seriously,” O’Keefe said.

“I’ve raced and competed in many events across the country.

“The Melbourne to Warrnambool is one of the most iconic races in Australia and it’s always been something I wanted to do.”

He said he had been inspired by a family member.

“It’s always been on my bucket list because my grandfather (Des) did it,” O’Keefe said.

“He was a dairy farmer out from Winslow, the back of Warrnambool, I’ve heard stories he was the first Warrnambool rider (to compete).”

Ryan O'Keefe is the only Sydney Swan in history to win a Norm Smith Medal. Photo: Michael Willson/AFL Media

O’Keefe said he’s been training 15-20 hours a week to prepare for the event.

He added it’s helped fill the void left behind following his AFL exit.

“You spend your whole life being a professional athlete, for me I don’t know how you can switch that off in one day,” he said.

“I was fortunate I came out of the game and the body was feeling good, and I love cycling, so I just needed another competitive outlet, another sport to put my efforts in.

“I went straight over and applied the same principles, training hard, nutrition the whole sort of thing.

“Because I love it and enjoy it, it’s been great and I’ve enjoyed the aspect of training and the social aspect of cycling and the ability to push yourself and challenge yourself in challenges like Saturday.”

O’Keefe isn’t aiming to make up the numbers in the 269.7km trek as he prepares to compete in the 35-44 age category.

“There’s a few of us rolling around in that,” he said.

“We’ll all try our best and we’re all super competitive, that competitive nature never goes out. “

We all want to win and do the best you can and try and hang on to those young pros.

“At the end of day we enjoy it and love it and it’s a sense of achievement (to finish) so we’ll help each other out.”

O’Keefe said he’ll not only have a few friends in the peloton helping him to the finish line, his family will also be at Warrnambool to cheer him home.

“To roll into Warrnambool and have some family there it’s always good after a long day,” he said.

The race starts at 8am from Avalon Airport.

Originally published as Ryan O’Keefe to race in the Melbourne to Warrnambool on Saturday