Damien Shaw believes his new deal with Renault is further proof that Irish cycling, including domestic racing, is on the corporate map (Photo: Sirotti)
Life just keeps getting better for national elite road race champion and An Post-ChainReaction rider Damien Shaw.
Just 24 hours before winning his third straight Cycleways Cup on Sunday, the Mullingar man was presented with a brand new Renault Kadjar at the Belvedere House and Gardens after being named a brand ambassador for the company for 2016.
Shaw was one of three sportspeople presented with the ‘Kadjar’ model car along with leading ultra-athlete Gerry Duffy as well as Irish triathlete Carolyn Hayes.
“It's great to get a bit of recognition for what I’ve done,” said Shaw of the new deal.
“It shows cycling is on the map a bit more than before because when I was agreeing this deal with Renault I was still a domestic rider so it shows how far cycling has come.
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Damien Shaw, centre, has landed a new deal with Renault via one of the biggest dealerships in the Republic.
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“It takes a bit of pressure off me and it's great to have big support from a local company like O’Brien’s Garage in Mullingar; they’ve been really good to me.
“I also have Raymond Byrne in Sligo helping me; giving me rubs and generally looking after me like that.
“It's a lonely sport at times but having people in my corner makes it easier.
“I know when I'll be dying in Belgium this weekend these people will be clung to their seats hoping I do something and I'll be hoping the same - for them as much as me.”
Shaw said while he was looking forward to competing with An Post-Chainreaction in the Three Days of West Flanders this weekend, he felt slightly below par.
“I’m not myself but I’m not making excuses,” he said.
“I’m a bit below my best, maybe it’s just fatigue because I’ve done a lot of training; I train as much as I can when I can. There are some big hitters starting on Friday but so what?
“I’m just loving it, it’s a class experience so I’m just trying to adapt and learn what I can; it’s deadly that I’ve got this opportunity.”
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