Why this road racing para-cyclist paired up with a sport scientist

By Dr Ryan Worn

This January, when Christian Ashby readies himself to roll down the start ramp at the Federation University Road National Championships, many thoughts will be racing through his mind.

A former state- and national-level triathlete, Ashby’s life changed on Good Friday in 2016, when he was the victim in a hit-and-run that resulted in him undergoing 15 lifesaving operations and a six-month stint in hospital, where he learnt to talk, walk, and eat again.

The list of injuries included a cracked skull, 15 broken ribs, a broken pelvis, a broken femur, a compound fracture of the tibia and fibula, a broken scapula and collarbone, six unstable vertebral fractures, a fractured left hand, a fractured sternum, a broken patella, and a shattered acetabulum (hip joint).

His journey back to functionality was long and arduous, but Ashby’s love of cycling never waned.

He began riding again for rehabilitation, not racing, and got stronger and fitter with every pedal stroke. Eventually, after a discussion with Ballarat physiotherapist Peter Steggall, Ashby was drawn back to bike racing, this time competing in the C2 para-cycling category.

In 2022, Ashby finished third in the Para Men’s C2 national championship time trial.

In preparation for the 2023 Road Nationals, Ashby has been working with Federation University lecturer and sports scientist Dr Ryan Worn. They’ve improved his performance by optimising his time trial positioning through biomechanical analysis and better management of training load.

“Due to my injuries, I have had trouble getting into a customised aero position, and last year, I approached Ryan asking for his assistance. We have since been working in the Federation University physiology labs on testing what position is best for me to produce maximum power in the best possible aerodynamic position,” Ashby said.

“Through using pedal force and joint motion sensors, we have tweaked my crank, handlebar, cleat, and aero bar positioning on the bike. By doing power and oxygen consumption tests in varying positions and with different joint angles of motions, we could come up with a more efficient position than I have previously been riding with.”

This year, the pair hope to extend this testing and employ the use of new aero-sensor technologies and muscle activation analysis to further optimise the trade-off between aerodynamics and power production.

Ashby hopes the hard work and aero testing he has been doing will pay off as he heads into the final weeks of training before next month’s race.

Christian Ashby (left) finished third in the 2022 Para Men's C2 Time Trial

“My goals for the 2023 Road Nationals are to go as well as I physically can, and to improve on last year’s result. My preparation has been good in training, and this year Ryan has increased my specific high-intensity training and reduced the time spent on long, slow rides”.

This has led to power personal bests across the board, which he hopes to convert into race-day performance.

Time will tell whether the plan has paid off on Tuesday, January 10, when he rolls down the time trial ramp in his quest to finish on the podium again. The Federation and Ballarat cycling communities will be cheering Ashby on as he continues his pursuit to be the best athlete that he can be.

His drive, commitment and inspiration should be bottled and shared this festive season.

Dr Ryan Worn is a lecturer in the Exercise Science Discipline at Federation University and a cycling tragic.

This article is part of a series by Federation University experts in the lead-up to the 2023 Federation University Road National Championships, which will be held in Ballarat and Buninyong from January 6-10. For more information, visit the Road Nationals website.

The 2022 AusCycling Road Racing National Championships is proudly supported by the City of Ballarat, Federation University, and Visit Victoria.

Images: Con Chronis