Damien Shaw is a relative newcomer to the sport of cycling but looks to have his mind made up about moving away from it next year - assuming he ticks that one last box. Above, winning in Kilkenny on Sunday (Picture courtesy John Coleman – DC Images)
By Brian Canty
Damien Shaw has admitted next year might be his last racing at a high level and had he won a stage of the An Post Rás recently, he’s not even sure if he would continue beyond 2015.
The Mullingar man, now 30 years of age, said a lack of competition outside of the big events at home is one of the reasons he’s contemplating taking a step back.
“I’m coming to a stage in my life where I'd like to buy a house and things like that,” he reasoned.
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“I wasn’t thinking about doing too much after next year.
“It would have been nice to win a Rás stage this year but that’ll have to be done next year instead,” he added.
“I’m a very driven person, I train extremely hard and when I put my mind to something I do what I can to achieve it.”
Shaw took up the bike seriously in 2010 and has won most of the big ones on the calendar.
Shaw on the attack in the Rás the week before last. He went into the event with a fractured shoulder after a racing crash in the build-up. But it didn't seem to hold him back as he took three podium finishes; taking the runner-up slot on stages 6 and 7 and coming third on stage 8 (Photo: Paul Mohan - Sportsfile)
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His wins include established events like the Kerry Group Rás Mumhan, the Tour of Ulster, the Shay Elliott Memorial, Cycleways Cup among many others.
However, he and others like him on the domestic scene who are not U23 riders have the misfortune of competing in a time when no Irish teams are selected for races.
Last Sunday, he won the Deenside Cup from Sean McKenna (Aquablue) by a massive margin and while he was keen not to sound condescending said: “Where do the challenges come from?
“You’re talking about Rás stage wins and some of the big stuff in England appeals to me. But what else?
“I don’t think there’s much to fear over there but what are you doing (if you win)?
“You’re riding to get results that don’t pay much and you’re forgotten after a month?
“You give up six months of your life to do stuff for yourself, which is important I suppose but… I guess it depends on how much value you put into your own effort.
“I know how well I train and when I see the rewards it’s justified, but not at the expense of other stuff in your life.
“The bike is not everything.”
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