Brit James Shaw prepares to make WorldTour debut at Tour Down Under
Lotto-Soudal's new signing James Shaw is to ride his first WorldTour race at the Tour Down Under next week.
Britain's James Shaw, who this season is the fifth youngest rider in the WorldTour, has admitted to nerves ahead of his professional debut for Lotto-Soudal at next week's Santos Tour Down Under.
The 20-year-old was promoted from Lotto-Soudal's U23 squad in the off-season after a successful spell as a stagiaire, where he impressed the WorldTour team's staff enough to earn himself a first professional contract.
Shaw has been selected for the first WorldTour race of the season and though he is nervous about turning pedals for the first time in a race as a pro, the Derbyshire rider is relishing the opportunity.
"Although I’m really nervous for my first WorldTour race, I hope to come out as a stronger and better bike rider," he said.
>>> 11 things to look out for at the Tour Down Under
"I’m lucky to have a wealth of experience around me, with riders like Lars Bak and Thomas De Gendt who are more than willing to share their knowledge.
"I’m starting a new and big adventure, but the fact that I’m surrounded by such a nice team will dampen the shock.”
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Previously a Dave Rayner Fund rider, Shaw and his teammates have been riding sections of the Tour Down Under course while based in Adelaide.
The essential guide to the 2017 Tour Down Under
"We did a recon of a few of next week’s courses. We rode the last fifty kilometres of the second stage and went to see the start and finish of stage four," he said. "Those recons made me even more excited to race next week."
Shaw took four weeks off the bike after coming back from racing at the Road World Championships in Qatar in the U23 road race, before returning to Belgium to start his winter training.
This is his first time in Australia and, with snow storms across Europe, the weather and wildlife has been a welcome change to his usual surroundings.
"As far as the weather is concerned it’s a huge difference with the cold in Europe at the moment," he added.
>>> Tour Down Under preview: Who can claim 2017’s first WorldTour victory?
"It’s a weird feeling having high temperatures in January; that doesn’t seem right. But it’s not too hot yet. Thursday was the first time the temperature rose above thirty degrees.
“During our spare time we already had some time to look around here in Adelaide. I bought a postcard to send home to my parents. Adelaide is a beautiful city and not too crowded. You are close to the beach and hills. It’s wonderful to enjoy a coffee under the sun during our training rides.
"During one of our trainings Rafael Valls pointed out a koala who was chilling in a tree. It was exciting to see such an animal in its natural habitat.”
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
A freelance sports journalist and podcaster, you'll mostly find Chris's byline attached to news scoops, profile interviews and long reads across a variety of different publications. He has been writing regularly for Cycling Weekly since 2013. In 2024 he released a seven-part podcast documentary, Ghost in the Machine, about motor doping in cycling.
Previously a ski, hiking and cycling guide in the Canadian Rockies and Spanish Pyrenees, he almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains. He lives in Valencia, Spain.
-
I'm not into cake stops - but - I made an exception to rate five British delicacies in one ride
Of all the cakes named after places in the north-west of England, which is the tastiest? Simon Warren sets out to sample them all in a single epic ride
By Simon Warren Published
-
The Rugby Flyer flies again: the story of the first sub-hour '25' time trial
How one record-breaking bike – and the memory of the man who rode it – live on
By James Shrubsall Published
-
French pro cyclist suffering with memory loss after Tour Down Under crash
‘I have no memory of the crash’ says Rudy Molard of Groupama FDJ after incident in Australia
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I don't know if I'll be at this team or in cycling next year': Julian Alaphilippe on the Giro d'Italia, finding his form, and his relationship with Patrick Lefevere
Frenchman will focus on the Classics and then the Giro d'Italia in his contract year at Quick-Step
By Adam Becket Published
-
There is so much hope for British cycling, despite the domestic scene’s troubles
Stevie Williams’ victory at the Tour Down Under was just the latest breakthrough ride by a Briton, although there might not be a home UCI stage race to perform at soon
By Adam Becket Published
-
Oscar Onley, Isaac del Toro proud but disappointed as both miss out on Tour Down Under victory
Scot finishes fourth, Mexican second, as breakthrough weeks end in dismay
By Adam Becket Published
-
'Underestimated' no more: Stevie Williams powers to victory at Tour Down Under
The 27-year-old from Aberystwyth conquered Mount Lofty on Sunday to take overall victory in Australia, his first WorldTour GC win
By Adam Becket Published
-
Stevie Williams 'over the moon' to be in lead at Tour Down Under ahead of 'tough' final stage
The 27-year-old leads the Australian race on count-back, and is hoping to triumph overall on Sunday
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘He’s worked it out’: Oscar Onley meets his high expectations with Willunga Hill stage win at Tour Down Under
The 21-year-old Scot has shown his potential before, but a first win, at WorldTour level too, proved it
By Adam Becket Published
-
Willunga Hill set to shake up Tour Down Under, with GC battle shrouded in mystery
Two climbing stages follow four days of largely flat racing in South Australia, so the weekend will decide the race
By Adam Becket Published