Damien Shaw says it will be a proud moment for him when he rolls out of Dublin Castle on May 22nd for the opening stage of the An Post Rás. The first day of this year's race takes the riders to his home county of Westmeath and a finish in the town of Multyfarnham.
By Brian Canty
Reigning national elite road race champion Damien Shaw has said he’s relishing the prospect of rolling out for stage two of this year’s An Post Rás outside his front door.
The 31-year old An Post Chainreaction man will most likely lead the team’s assault on the general classification and aim for a stage win, something he came close to doing several times last year.
Following yesterday’s route announcement which saw the opening stage finish in the village of Multyfarnham in Westmeath, Shaw was licking his lips at the thought of that.
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Though he ‘only’ managed seventh in the nationals when they were based in the Westmeath town in 2014, he knows the roads well and knows what to expect.
“It’ll definitely be a special moment for me racing out of Dublin Castle en route to my home county,” he said.
“It’s a great achievement by my first club, Lakeside Wheelers Mullingar, to be hosting a stage finish of the Rás just two years after hosting the nationals.
“The club is really on a high and I have to salute their efforts in wanting to bring top-level racing back there in May.
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“The opening stage is always chaotic with everyone fresh and motivated but it’s an eight-day race so we can’t get too carried away, no matter how much I’d like to win there.
“I'm not allowing myself even consider such thoughts for now.
“The following day then will be just as special. Rolling out from Mullingar en route for Charleville will mean a lot to me.
“I hope to get plenty support there, it’ll be a proud moment and one I’m looking forward to it.
“I can't even remember what happened in Charleville two years ago because I didn't win.
“I know I got beaten in the gallop by a Baku guy but I was a relative nobody then.
“This year I’ll have the national champion’s jersey on me so I need to be a little bit cuter with me energy and when to use it.”
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