FORMER local, Tynan Shannon, continues to tick off achievements on his cycling journey with the 22-year-old enjoying a few days off after a busy couple of weeks.

Shannon got the call-up to compete in the Tour Down Under in Adelaide last month and performed well, finishing the final stage 63rd out of 112, 12 minutes and 58 seconds behind the winner.

The three-stage event also gave Shannon the best chance to compare himself against the country’s best riders.

He said he didn’t have high expectations going into the event and just wanted to use it as a learning experience.

“I knew I wasn’t going to be super competitive, judging by the calibre of people going to compete,” Shannon said.

“I just wanted to soak up the experience racing against some of the world’s best riders.

“I got plenty of experience out of it and did well.”

The increase in intensity along with tough weather conditions added to what was an already tough proposition for the 22-year-old, but Shannon remained resilient and acclimatized as the stages rolled on.

“It was pretty hot and humid, so the weather did take its toll particularly on the first stage,” he said.

“As the day went on, I almost felt better and more comfortable in the bunch.

“I thoroughly enjoyed it and as the days went on, I felt better.”

Riding for Velofit Australia, Shannon said the team’s feedback following the final stage was positive with the possibility of more opportunities going forward.

“The team was pretty happy to be honest,” he said.

“We went to the tour trying to get a few results, it didn’t quite pan out that way, but they were quite happy with the way I rode and I think they were impressed with my team-first mindset.”

Shannon, who is now based in Geelong and in his final year of his exercise sport science and business management double degree, didn’t stay off the book too long, joining Hamilton Cycling Club members, Wayne Aitken, Jack Aitken and Dean McLaren for A Big Ride last Friday.

The fundaiser involved riding from Warrnambool to Melbourne and Shannon said it was great to be involved in the good cause.

“I think we ended up raising $114,000,” he said.

“We raised a lot of money for schools around the Warrnambool district and raising awareness for mental health.

“It was about 300km from Warrnambool to Melbourne then on Saturday I rode back from Geelong to Warrnambool to pick my car up.

“It was good having a few people there I knew.

“There might have been around 20 people in our group.”

Shannon’s attention has now turned to his next tour, which gets underway this weekend.

“I will be riding the Tour of Gippsland next which is on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, and then I will be doing the Melbourne to Warrnambool again,” he said.

“I have got a couple of good opportunities coming up which I am excited about.”

Spending 15-20 hours a week training and riding at least six days a week is a big commitment for the student, but he is hoping the commitment pays off with a chance to compete overseas in his sight.

“For this year, it is just trying to get plenty of racing under my belt around Australia,” Shannon said.

“Then hopefully in the future I will be able to get across to Europe or Asia and have a go over there.”