Embedded Files
Post date: Feb 20, 2017 1:46:44 PM
(By Shay O'Toole - Sun. 19th February 2107)
Having completed a very tough first year in the professional ranks, Damien Shaw has decided to accept an offer from An Post Chainreaction and return for a second year in Europe.
Without doubt the step up was immense and in his own words, the difference between riding at home in A1 races and riding in the pro ranks was akin to going straight from “kindergarten to university”. However, despite early season illness last year Damien participated in several races in Belgium and France and gave stand out performances in the Ras and the 2.1 ranked Tour of Britain. He also competed for Ireland in the US at the prestigious Philadelphia Classic and in Brittany, France at the European Road Race Championships, an event won by current World Champion, Peter Sagan of Slovakia.
After a winter of reflection and hard training Shaw is now ready for another long season with his Irish registered Continental team and has only recently returned from a pre-season training camp in the south of Spain. He was scheduled to ride his first race of the new season next week in Portugal but, due to injury, he will now skip this opener and concentrate on regaining full fitness before returning to competition in Belgium in March.
One of Damien’s main goals for the 2017 season is the An Post Rás and with the route unveiled just last week, he will be fully focused on returning to Ireland in top shape for the start on May 21st. No doubt, all Irish cycling fans will be keeping a keen eye on the former National Champion during “Rás” week and on behalf of all Lakeside Wheelers members, we wish him all the best for the coming year.
Damien Shaw (An Post Chainreaction) looking relaxed before Stage 3 of the 2016 Tour of Britain
Report abuse