Pat Shaw left in awe of Chris Froome in Jayco Herald Sun Tour

PAT Shaw has experienced more extremes than most on the Jayco Herald Sun Cycling Tour. Until, that is, the arrival of Chris Froome.

Britain’s Chris Froome of Team Sky wearing the King of the mountains jersey smiles before stage two of the 2016 Herald Sun Tour cycling race, Yarra Glen to Moe, in Victoria on February 5, 2016. AFP PHOTO / MAL FAIRCLOUGH -- IMAGE STRICTLY RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE --

PAT Shaw has experienced more extremes than most on the Jayco Herald Sun Cycling Tour.

From the 2005 crash which left him with multiple injuries to the sustained success with Avanti IsoWhey, the accomplished Ballarat all-rounder had pretty much seen it all.

Until, that is, the arrival of Chris Froome.

Shaw, 29, is respected among the peloton for his tactical intelligence, a priceless capacity to instantly sum up situations before capitalising in chaotic situations.

So when the opportunity came on the opening stage of the Tour from Healesville, Shaw ensured he and his teammates were exactly where they should have been — right on the wheel of Team Sky.

And then Froome and his World Tour colleagues, including race favourite Peter Kennaugh, gave the field a masterclass.

“We were positioned right behind them (Sky) on a climb and we had four or five guys right behind them,” Shaw said.

“But the sheer acceleration of Crhis Froome is exceptional and that’s why he wins the Tour de France. That’s why he’s such a great rider.

“Team Sky is not a tactically difficult team to read. What they are is extremely talented and obviously well-tuned. They execute really well.

“The thing I admire about them so much is that they generally get it right. What I also admire about Chris Froome is that he’s also such a nice and genuine person so it’s pretty easy to see him do well.”

In a purple patch of form this summer with success in the Mitchelton Bay Classic series and a high placing at the Australian Championships, Shaw was stunned by the massive crowds in regional Victoria.

It is the Froome factor, along with abiding interest in Orica-GreenEDGE and 14 other teams from diverse backgrounds.

Chris Froome signs autographs on before stage three of the Jayco Herald Sun Tour.

“These starting towns, there’s a lot of people at the starts,” Shaw said. “There’s no doubt Chris Froome is drawing people in, but also the coverage is immensely greater and that’s a great thing.

“It’s promoting not only the country towns that we’re visiting but also cycling in Victoria, which is good.

“During the races, he (Froome) sticks around his team, but I caught him a couple of times at the accommodation and he’s more than happy to say hello to anyone. He always says ‘Good morning’ and, for a guy who’s done the things he’s done, that speaks volumes.”

Shaw attributes some of his achievements, which included a win over gun sprinter Caleb Ewan in the Portarlington criterium, to a new nutrition regimen.

The veteran typically consumes three IsoWhey Sports bars, two gels and three 600ml bidons to ensure he is properly hydrated and fed with sufficient energy to compete with men such as Froome.

The approach also includes pre-race and post-race mixes.

“I’ve found it absolutely amazing,” he said, revealing he starts most stages weighing 66kg. I probably lose about a kilogram during the race but that’s taking in a much IsoWhey nutrition and hydration as I can.”