(By Kevin Monaghan - Sun. 28th June 2015)  As always for a national championships race, a strong field of riders, featuring the cream of Irish professional and amateur riders took to the line in Omagh. After a few early skirmishes, the telling breakaway eventually went clear in the second lap. This thirteen man group, which included Shaw and four of his team-mates, worked extremely hard together and as the laps were clocking up, so was their lead, which stretched at one point to over five minutes. Back in the bunch, the pros were left behind and sensing the danger they set about trying to reel in the breakaway. A strong ten man chase group, led by pro Brammier, went to work and got the breakaway back to within three minutes. However, this proved to be too little too late. By the time the breakaway were heading out of town on the last lap, Damien Shaw and young Eddie Dunbar had struck out for home, following a few earlier attempts by other breakaway riders. Such was the intensity of this attack, the duo built up over two minutes in the final lap. Shaw opted not to gamble on a sprint finish and with some very strong riding he dropped Dunbar with a couple of kilometres to go to take a well deserved solo victory in the centre of Omagh. Congratulations Damien on a very well deserved victory. Once again you've brought pride to Mullingar, Westmeath and to the sport of cycling with your successes and your honest style of riding. We hope everyone enjoys the dual celebrations in Mullingar tonight.  Damien Shaw powering through Omagh on his way to victory in the 2015 National Road Race Championships More pictures HERE (courtesy of Joe Duffy, Mullingar) |
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