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Post date: Jul 01, 2013 9:35:1 PM
On Sunday last Damien Shaw (riding with Aquablue race team) wrote himself into the Irish history books yet again by claiming the bronze medal in the Elite National Road championships on Sunday June 23rd last. The race was held over the same course that the vets race was ran on the previous day but this time the riders had to complete the lap no less than twelve times totalling over 170km.
On the last lap it became apparent that these three were going to fight it out for the medals. Brammeier used all his experience and outwitted his two companions and took his fourth title in a row followed closely by Lavery and the Damien in third. Well done Damien from all in Lakeside Wheelers on a brilliant achievement.
The racing was hectic from the start, in very thought conditions (only forty six riders finished!), with all of the top Irish riders across the country pitting their wits against all the Irish pros (with the exception of Dan Martin & Nicholas Roche) that come back to Ireland to try and get their hands on the coveted national jersey. As early as the first lap Matt Brammeier (defending Champion & chasing his fourth title in a row) Philip Deignan & Philip Lavery got away in a very strong break and got a large gap on the rest of the field.
Although this break did not stay away for the day it had a big bearing on the race as it made the pace very high from the start with in turn caused the race to split to pieces. With many different groups on the road some managed to merge together and eventually catch the two leaders, Deignan had now crashed out. With only a number of laps remaining, Damien instigated the winning break of the day and was joined by Brammeier, Lavery & Conor Dunne who couldn’t handle the pace and dropped back to the chasers.
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