Very different injury news for An Post’s Shaw and Hennebry
Sean Kelly and Damien Shaw; the Mullingar man and team mate Conor Hennebry have received very different injury news.
There’s mixed news for two of Ireland’s top riders Damien Shaw and Conor Hennebry on the injury front.
Shaw has been out injured for some time but comes back into the bunch tomorrow at home in the VisitNenagh Classic.
However, just as he is getting back into the saddle again, An Post-Chainreaction team mate Conor Hennebry has been sidelined with injury.
He has returned to Ireland to recover from a knee complaint. But hopefully with some treatment and rest he can be back at it as soon as possible.
For Shaw, having looked so lean and ready to go at his team training camp in Spain in the early season, the last couple of months have been frustrating.
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A training crash at home left him with a broken rib and wrist. They are both very nasty injuries on their own, but combined they would floor any rider.
And so it has proven for Shaw who has now missed the first 1½ months of the new campaign.
However, there are many months of the 2017 season to come, especially in the pro bunch. And his first step into the competitive forum comes in Tipperary tomorrow.
The VisitNenagh Classic has established itself as one of the best and most coveted races on the Irish scene in just a few short years.
Eoin Morton winning the VisitNenagh Classic last year. He is back to defend his title (Photo: Sean Rowe)
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An Post-Chainreaction manager Kurt Bogaerts said while he was disappointed for Waterford’s Hennebry, he is delighted Mullingar man Shaw is ready for action again.
“Conor is already back on the bike but he is unable to compete,” said Bogaerts.
“We hope to have him ready for the next stage race in Loir et Cher in a couple of week’s time.
“On a better note, it is great to have Damien Shaw back - he will join us in training next week with the aim to have him competing in an international race in France in mid April.”
Tomorrow’s race will provide a tough challenge for Shaw, with 169km of testing roads facing the field. And with the event the second round of the National Road Series the start list will be one of quality and the competition intense.
Last year’s winner Eoin Morton (UCD CC-FitzCycles.ie) went on to have a brilliant season, with a Rás stage win the jewel in the crown.
And Morton believes the race is great preparation for the Rás.
“It’s key to have races leading into the Ras of this length, there’s only really this and the Shay Elliot,” he said.
“There’s in the region of 2,000m of climbing in this race, and it races through the town centre twice; more of that please, I say.”
Morton rates his chances
On his own chances of a repeat win this time around, he said:
“The form is okay. I had a little bit of a sickness a week ago and I don’t know where I’ll lie.
“I’ll not be panicking about it though; I’m more worried about making the right decisions, and getting in the break.
“There’s a few guys in incredible form right now; Matteo Cigala and the Aqua Blue Academy. Conn McDunphy - it’s amazing how well he’s going.
"And Damien Shaw is always one to watch, regardless of whether he’s coming back from injury or not."
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