By Paul O’Donovan
Mullingar cyclist Damien Shaw has hit the headlines once again, this time for his exceptional performances in the An Post Rás around Ireland.
Shaw proved yet again that he is one of the leading amateur cyclists in the country when he left many professionals behind him as he finished strongly on the last three days of the eight-day event.
Shaw, a former cyclist with the Lakeside Wheelers, and now a member of the Louth Asea team, earned three podium finishes on the last weekend of the Rás. Shaw finished second on Friday in Drogheda, second on Saturday in Ballinamore and third on Sunday in Skerries in what was described as a phenomenal achievement by the Mullingar man.
Austrian Lukas Postlberger of Tirol Cycling took overall victory at the An Post Rás, but it was Shaw, who had a steady but quiet start to the week’s cycling, who claimed the limelight on the Irish front.
Speaking after finishing second on Friday’s stage Shaw said, “With the fitness I have had this week I didn’t think I had the jump to attack so I was hoping for a steadier run-in. I’ve been keeping a low profile all week with the aim of coming out and giving it a dig one day, but to go from struggling all week to be in the top two was a turnaround”.
The Mullingar fireman also managed a very impressive second place on Saturday’s stage but Shaw proved it was no fluke by gaining another podium finish on the final stage around Skerries in Dublin. Considering Shaw is an amateur and many of the cyclists are seasoned professionals, the Mullingar man produced another sensational ride on Sunday. Shaw spent the last lap and a half staying in contact with leaders Aidis Kruopis (An Post Chain Reaction) and Davide Vigano (Team IDEA Conad) before finishing third. Shaw attacked in the final kilometre but was caught and out sprinted in the final race to the line.
“I just put my head down and never stopped believing I could get up to them. I saw the bunch coming behind and I thought I’d take my chances leading it out. I wouldn’t normally win a sprint on a Sunday race so I knew I wasn’t going to win against a couple of WorldTour riders. I’m very pleased with third place and the three podium finishes, but I would swap all three finishes for one win. One win would have been remembered more than three placings,” said a very proud Shaw.
We have no doubt that if you continue to produce top form Damien that a stage win, and indeed success in more high profile races awaits this phenomenal talent from Mullingar. Well done Damien on another great achievement.
Also well-done to Stuart Cox of Lakeside Wheelers who rode with the Meath Martin Donnelly/Fast Shipping team in the An Post Rás 2015.
