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\u201cI was up against individual time trial world champion, Darren Hicks, who also represents Australia in the road race. Competition is always tough in our category,\u201d Ashby said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBecause of my disability, the time trial is always quite tough. From my accident, I have a deformed hand… plus I\u2019m fused in ten vertebrae, so I struggle to bend. I have a brain injury… so cornering is challenging.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m unable to get into a position that most other cyclists can, but I always do the best I can. The road race I\u2019m more suited to because I don\u2019t need to be as aerodynamic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ashby\u2019s been competing in the RoadNats for three years, following his accident. In 2020 he won the C2 road race and time trial.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s fantastic to have the Nationals in your own backyard. I train on the course regularly, which gives me an advantage, but having a home crowd yell your name in the four or five laps you go round is inspiring.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving the paracycling and able-bodied cycling integrated as part of the national scene is great. With our disabilities, we can\u2019t be as fast, but to be taken seriously is really important, which Cycling Australia does well,\u201d Ashby said.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
BALLARAT-Sebastopol Cycling Club had a strong para-cycling presence at last weekend\u2019s Australian Road National Championships in Buninyong. In Thursday\u2019s time trials, Reece-Emerson Van Beek won the men\u2019s deaf category, William Zammit placed second in the men\u2019s C3 section, and Christian Ashby finished second in the men\u2019s C2 category. On Saturday, the men\u2019s C3 road race […]<\/p>\n