In with the pros: Damien Shaw puts in an effort on a frantic first day in the pro peloton with An Post-Chainreaction in France (Photo: An Post Chainreaction)
By Brian Canty
An Post Chainreaction debutant Damien Shaw endured a tough day at the office but limited his losses on the opening day of the five-day Etoile de Besseges (UCI 2.1) stage race in southern France on Wednesday.
The 31-year old Irishman had been off the bike for a number of days in the last week and so found the going tough.
He said he was in “survival mode” for much of the 156-kilometre stage that started in Bellegarde and finished in Beaucaire.
“It’s a different ball game,” the Mullingar man said in reference to racing in the pro peloton compared to domestic amateur events.
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“I was in survival mode all day. The legs just weren’t great as I was off the bike a few days last week and had no bike at all. But I’ve no excuses, I’ll get better.”
To be fair to Shaw, he required a bike change midway through the stage after getting caught up in a very minor crash.
Frenchman Bryan Coquard (Direct Energie) led home a front group of 94 riders, with Shaw crossing the line 1:14 down in 118th.
“It’s pretty stressful – even when you’re sitting at the back,” continued the Irish national champion.
“I just need a few more days in my legs and I’ll be okay.”
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Connor McConvey looked strong on his first race back in the fold at An Post-Chainreaction.
Fellow Irishman Connor McConvey fared better and was in the group sprinting for the win.
He managed to do his job for teammate Nicolas Vereecken who took 10th in the sprint.
“There were crosswinds all day so the race kept splitting and coming back,” the Belfast man said.
“I felt decent, I was in the front fighting for most of the day. I could have been better but I could have been a lot worse too.”
The race continues tomorrow with a 153-kilometre stage from Nimes to Mejannes le Clap and there’s just one category two climb at 110 kilometres.
For a race report on the opening stage in France, please follow this link.
Let the games begin: An Post-Chainreaction being presented at the start of stage 1. National champion Damien Shaw is not in this shot.
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