PAT Shaw has signed with Australia's premier domestic cycling outfit, Avanti Racing Team, ahead of the 2015 National Road Series.
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Shaw is already preparing for a big season in the blue and orange and has set his sights on the Herald Sun Tour in February.
The 28-year-old spent three years with Avanti, then-known as Genesys Wealth Advisers (from 2010-2012) and Huon Salmon-Genesys (in 2013), before an illness riddled 2014 riding for Satalyst Giant Racing.
However, a return to form over the past few months has tipped the experienced road captain towards another year in the saddle with the team he describes as "by far the most professional outfit in Australia".
"When I was healthy it was the best I've ever ridden I think I was one of the strongest in the (NRS) series," Shaw said.
"It's good to be getting back to a bigger team.
"Don't get me wrong, Satalyst will do great things next year, but it's good to return to Avanti where it's so familiar."
Shaw started this season brightly with a criterium sprint title at the Road National Championships, before tumbles in the Herald Sun Tour and Tour de Perth as well as a reaction to medication soon after Le Tour de Filipinas in April effectively ended any chance of him competing at peak fitness.
The New Zealand-based Avanti dominated the NRS standings in his absence, with Joseph Cooper taking home the elite men's championship, while the team itself won the teams aggregate ahead of Team Budget Forklifts.
Shaw also plans to contest the Ballarat-hosted Road National Championships in January and inaugural Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race before resting up for the proper NRS season.
"I'm probably as excited as I was back when I was 21 or 22, there's plenty of fire left in the belly," he said.
"My main objective is to do Herald Sun Tour.
"I feel pretty confident going back, it's a New Zealand registered team so there will be a lot of Kiwis on the team that I will help mentor."
Shaw has just returned to solo training after a two-week break with his family and will take part in an intense training camp with Avanti in three weeks time.
Financial pressures and family commitments almost ended his career in 2013, but Shaw is determined to keep riding for as long as possible.
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