A stellar Tour of Toowoomba resulted in the Avanti Racing captain finishing fifth in the general classification, one minute behind eventual victor Michael Schweizer.

While he lamented not being able to secure rights to the NRS jersey, missing out on a count back to Schweizer, Shaw believes he is as strong as ever.

“I’m stronger than I’ve ever been, but I’m heavier (65 kilograms) than I’ve ever been as well,” he said.

“I would have liked to have taken the NRS jersey.

“We were fairly undermanned in our team, with a few riders catching gastro, but to come away with a couple of podium places was good.

“After winning it (NRS overall) in 2010, it’s still nice to be up there for a guy not riding for general classification.”

Shaw has twice won the Tour of Toowoomba, but this year lost 53 seconds in a brutal opening day after working for Avanti teammate Joe Cooper.

However, Shaw got stronger as the tour progressed, finishing second in last Saturday’s road race and third in Sunday’s closing criterium.

The 29-year-old started the season with a bang, closing out the Tour De Perth and Adelaide Tour with respective fourth and fifth placings.

However, Shaw is downplaying any thoughts of another overall victory and is set to miss the final three rounds of the season as he and his wife prepare for another child.

“I won’t be doing the last three NRS series races,” he said.

“Top three overall is out of the question, but maybe top five (is achievable).”

Both Shaw and Schweizer lead the standings with 24 points each on the eve of the Battle on the Border, running from May 28 to 31.

Shaw expects teammate Patrick Bevin, third overall, to take control of the NRS jersey following the notoriously difficult Battle.

Shaw will then turn his attention to the Melbourne to Ballarat, an event he won in 2013.

michael.pollock@fairfaxmedia.com.au