Following a thrilling stage win at Loir Et Cher last week, Mullingar native Damien Shaw will join his An Post Chain Reaction team mates for two crucial races. The first is the one day, Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic (1.2) on Sunday 23rd April in England, followed by Le Tour de Bretagne Cyclist (2.2) in France from Tuesday 25th April – Monday 1st May.
At the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, Shaw will race alongside Irish compatriot Sean McKenna and fellow teammates Premislav Kasperkiewicz (POL), Bas Tietema (NED), Jacob Scott (GBR), Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL).
The team head to Rutland in fine form, with Shaw, Scott and Kasperkiewicz all impressing their team manager, Kurt Bogaerts:
“The guys are all riding at a really good level. Damien’s win was a massive boost to the team and something we worked hard for. The Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic will be a different test. It is a technical race with spectacular off road sections which will suit a lot of the riders.”
Bogaerts touched on the importance of visiting the UK:
“This is a really nice UCI race. There are not so many of this type in Ireland and the UK so when there is the chance to compete we always try to go.”
Following the Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic, the team will move quickly on to France where they will compete for the first time in Le Tour de Bretagne Cyclist. The highly respected tour will see the team cycle through the Brittany region and will be aired live on Eurosport in France. With just under a month to go until An Post Rás, this will be an important test for the riders who will experience seven tough stages over varying distances.
Damien Shaw will be hoping to build on his success at Loir Et Cher and will be joined by Irish comrade Matthew Teggart and teammates Sean Mackinnon (CAN), Bas Tietema (NED), Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL) and Premislav Kasperkiewicz (POL).
Commenting on the race, Bogaerts believes this to be crucial for An Post Rás preparation:
“Bretagne will be a good way to see the level of the guys and should be a nice nice build up to An Post Rás. This will be our last big tour before we head to Ireland for the Rás in May.”
An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team in action at 2017 Rutland-Melton CiCLE Classic in Rutland, UK,
Sunday 23rd April:
Damien Shaw (IRE)
Sean McKenna (IRE)
Premislav Kasperkiewicz (POL)
Bas Tietema (NED)
Jacob Scott (GBR)
Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL)
An Post Chain Reaction Sean Kelly Racing Team in action at 2017 Le Tour de Bretagne Cyclist in France, Tuesday
25th April - Monday 1st May:
Damien Shaw (IRE)
Matthew Teggart (IRE)
Sean Mackinnon (CAN)
Bas Tietema (NED)
Massimo Vanderaerden (BEL)
Premislav Kasperkiewicz (POL)