It wasn’t long ago that James Shaw was sitting at home, spending nights on Linkedin sending CVs to a variety of professional cycling teams as he looked to keep his career in the sport alive. At just 23, the British rider had been dropped by Lotto-Dstny and was unsure as to what lay in store for him.
Fast forward five years, and the Nottinghamshire born rider has made his Tour de France debut and was at the sharp end of the action on stage six, the second of two huge mountain stages in the Pyrenees.
Shaw was part of a large breakaway that included the likes of Julian Alaphilippe (Soudal-Quick Step) and Wout van Aert (Jumbo-Visma) and hung with them as they as they climbed the infamous Col d'Aspin and Col du Tourmalet.
Speaking to Cycling Weekly in Mont de Marsan, Shaw said that his performance in the Pyrenees made him feel like he belonged at the Tour.
"It was a big day out," he said. "I think it was big in terms of physically demanding, but also big in terms of a stepping stone day in the Tour. I feel like now I know and understand where I'm at with my form and my condition. I'm going to look forward to a few more days like that to come in the second and third week." Shaw was right in the thick of the action when Jonas Vingegaard (Jumbo-Visma) and Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) attacked out of the group of favourites, swiftly joining him and his breakaway m ducation Can companions up the road.
"I mean as far as seeing it live goes, it was a front row seat," Shaw joked.
"Sitting behind potentially the two greatest Grand Tour
Dauphiné breakthrough
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike