Britain’s James Shaw’s report on his brilliant 5th place in the Under 23 Liege-Bastogne-Liege
Rider Report: James Shaw at Leige-Bastogne-Leige
Brought to you by James coach, Trainsharp.
James Shaw yet again showed he is one of the most promising Under 23 riders in the world with a superb 5th place in the Under 23 edition of the world famous Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
James writes … My season started out with some promising performances starting with 6th in Brussels Opwijk and then Tour de Normandie finishing 10th overall and 4th Under 25. These performances meant I was feeling confident going into Liege Bastogne Liege (Under 23 Edition).
The race was an aim of mine as it’s such an iconic race with the pro race being the oldest race on the pro calendar starting in 1892. The Under 23 race includes the famous climbs such as ‘La Redoute’ and ‘Cote du San Nicolas’. I did a recce of the last 100km of the race with my team and it added a bit more confidence as I felt the parcour suited me.
In a way it reminded me of my home training ground Derbyshire. It was a tough terrain with terrible weather and usually these conditions favour my riding style.
Above; entering the final lap on the Velodrome in Liege. (photo credit Anne Renoutte)
Race day – 8:30am breakfast
Having had a fairly long lie in, ideal on race days, I woke up to poor weather conditions in South Belgium. Knowing it was going to be a long day out (176km), I had a big breakfast starting with race day porridge, cheese and jam sandwich, bowl of rice and plenty of typically French coffee.
Race start – 12:15
Just as the race started, ironically the heavens opened. In hindsight, I made a poor judgment on clothing having started in only my race suit, no extras. We started the race with a strong race plan, tactically sound so we just needed to execute it perfectly.
A break of 12 went up the road with a team mate, Emiel Plankaert included. It gained a maximim of five minuteS however began to split towards the finish. I saw the danger of the break staying away so jumped my group and bridged the gap. Unfortunately I reacted too late and only joined the front group with 3km to go. At this point, the 1st and 2nd place riders were already up the road so I was now racing for 3rd.
At the velodrome with just a lap and a half to go, I could see that everyone was very fatigued and in the sprint, I was forced to go early but just didn’t have the legs to hold them off, so finished 5th. Overall I am happy with my performance in the race and happy with the form going into Tour de Bretagne starting on 25th April.
500 meters to go thinking about opening up the sprint. (photo credit Bede Geoghegan Hart)
RESULT:
5. James Shaw, Lotto Soudal
13. Jake Kelly, Wiggins
19. Tao Geoghegen Hart, Axeon
25. Scott Davies, Wiggins
45. Dan Pearson, Wiggins
79. Michael Thompson, Wiggins
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Sponsor Feature: Food at CHS Ciclismo (Spain)
- NEWS! Max Walker joins EF Education-EasyPost
- World Tour win for Ethan Vernon
- CX Result: Scottish Cyclocross Series 2
- Louise Sutton signs for Euskaltel Euskadi Team
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series #3
- HC Result: Sid Valley CC Hill Climb
- TT Result: Chelmer CC GP Des Gentlemen
- HC Result: BEC CC Hill Climb
- CX Result: Welsh Cyclo-Cross League Rd 3
- CX Result: North West Cyclocross League 4
- HC Result: Scottish Hill Climb Championships 2024
- CX Result: SWCX 3 (Devon)
- HC Result: Lancashire Road Club Hill Climb
- CX Result: Lincolnshire Cyclo Cross League 3
- CX Result: Central CycloCross League 5
- CX Result: Houghton Cycling Club Hill Climb
- HC Result: Bolsover And District CC Hill Climb
- HC Result: Catford CC Hill Climb
- CX Result: Western CX Round 4 (Upton Cheyney)
- CX Result: CXNE League 2024 Rd 4
- CX Result: Leicestershire Cyclo Cross League Rd 2
- HC Result: Severn RC Hill Climb
- CX Result: Shimano Lazer West Midlands Cyclocross League Round 5
- CX Result: Wessex Cyclocross League Round 5 (Southampton)
- HC Result: Tickhill Velo Club Hill Climb
- CX Result: Yorkshire Points CX League 2
- HC Result: East Sussex CA Hill Climb
- HC Result: Huddersfield Star Whs Hill Climb
- HC Result: Beachy Head Cycling Club Hill Climb
- HC Result: Rutland CC Hill Climb (Mam Nick)
- CX Result: Central CX League 4
- CX Result: South West CX League 2
- HC Result: Drighlington Bicycle Club Hill Climb
- Sponsored Feature: Renting your own private retreat in Spain
- HC Result: Welsh CA Hill Climb Champs
- STARTLIST: Scottish National Hill Climb Championships 2024
- BMCR Result: Chairman’s Race (Oct 6)
- HC Result: Fibrax Wrexham RC Hill Climb
- CX Result: Lincolnshire Cyclo-cross League 2
Other News on VeloUK
- NEWS! Max Walker joins EF Education-EasyPost
- World Tour win for Ethan Vernon
- Louise Sutton signs for Euskaltel Euskadi Team
- STARTLIST: Scottish National Hill Climb Championships 2024
- Rider News: Ben Marsh off to France to race
- Report/Result: World Gravel Championships
- This Weekend (Oct 5/6): National Trophy Cyclocross Round 1
- IOM 2024 YOUTH LEAGUE FINAL OVERALL
- Holiday Rentals: Escape to Casa Guadalest (Spain)
- Sponsor News: Custom Clothing from Santini
- News: Ribble launches the Allroad Ti – Crafted for More
- NEWS: The Pedal Club Lunch — September with Jez Cox
- Ultimate Cycling Experience at CHS Ciclismo
- Worlds: Great Britain Riders for 2024 Road Worlds
- Rider Report: Alistair Gardner wins two Kermesses
- EVENTS: Portmore Classic (29th of September, Dorset)
- STARTLIST: National Youth (GHS) Championship Final
- Tour of Britain: Provisional Startlist
- Sunday: Jef Schils Memorial (National B)
- This Weekend: RTTC National 10 mile Championship
- Q&A: Killian O’Brien – third in the Junior Tour of Wales
- TOM PIDCOCK CONFIRMED FOR LLOYDS BANK TOUR OF BRITAIN MEN
- Startlist: 42nd Junior Tour of Wales
- Startlist: 360 North West Youth Tour
- Tour of Britain: Evenepoel/Alaphilippe To Race National Tour
- GB Juniors for Track Worlds in China
- THIS WEEKEND: CYCLOCROSS (Leicestershire)
- Startlist: Men’s National B (Worcestershire)
- Startlists: Fenwicks Tour of Mendip 2024
- Startlists: 19th Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix Road Races
- Men’s Tour of Britain News: Teams for 2024 Race
- Men’s Tour of Britain Route Revealed (Stages 5 & 6)
- NEWS: Women’s UCI Drops Team to Close
- Startlist: Youth and Junior Track Championships 2024
- Startlist: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship (Women/JuniorsYouth)
- Startlists: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship (Men)
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024