Ashton Lambie is one of this year's revelations 2018. Gravel specialist for many years, his talent came to light last August, when he breaks the world record in the individual pursuit after only two years of track training. He is now a member of the British formation HUUB Wattbikes, which rivals the best national selections in the world cup. I had the pleasure of speaking with Ashton about his background and his ambitions. Back on his atypical career
Cycling Times : Can you briefly introduce ?
Ashton Lambie : I grew up in Lincoln, Nebraska, before going to Hastings University. I met my wife there, and we moved to Lawrence, in Kansas for 4 years, while she was doing her master's and her doctorate. We came back to Lincoln where I run for Creative Landscaping, my family landscaping business, and the USA team.
CT : You started with gravel… Can you explain how you got interested in cycling? ?
AL : I learned to ride a bike like most kids, but when I was fifteen, I ran into my father's old bike in the garage. I asked him why there was this special handlebar, and I hooked right away. I made my first 100 km a little later that year. In college and high school, I did some road races, but it wasn't really for me. I worked in a bike shop in Lincoln, and I also started a bike rental business, So I developed my mechanical skills for that. When I was in high school, I started to do longer distances, hiking. I participated in the Colorado High Country series, a succession of stages leading to cover over 1200km. When we moved to Lawrence, I found a job at the Sunflower Outdoor and Bike Shop. The store and cycling community in Kansas is primarily geared towards gravel, so I got more interested. Dirty Kanza is based in Emporia, and there are gravel races almost every weekend from March to October at places very close by car.
CT : What was your best result in gravel ?
AL : I won several gravel races, Gravel State in Kansas and Nebraska, Pony Express, Maisie’s pride. My most prestigious result is probably my sixth place (and 1st in my age category) sur la Dirty Kanza 2016.
CT : You started the track in 2016 si je ne m’abuse, why did you decide to change discipline ?
AL : There's a trail in Lawrence. I borrowed a bike to try. I'm a bit more muscular than most long distance runners, and it turned out that maybe the track would suit me better physically. I really had fun, so when my wife had to go to san diego for the national flute convention, we took the opportunity to do a road trip, and I took the bike I borrowed from a friend. I rode on the tracks in Boulder, CO and San Diego and I loved it ! So I decided to participate in as many competitions as possible, which allowed me to qualify for the nationals the following year.
CT : You immediately had very interesting results, a title of United States champion in pursuit, especially last year. Was it a surprise for you ?
AL : Yes, because it happened very quickly. I didn't have much experience, but my first year I was especially very strong, and not at all strategic. When we went to the nationals, I knew what form my opponents were in that year, and i knew i could do my best, but it was still strange when it happened.
CT : Is gravel still your preference ?
AL : I love gravel and I never get tired of it. Particularly in the Midwest, there are many more gravel roads than asphalt roads, and of course no traffic. The landscape is even more beautiful, and we can drive all day and see no cars.
CT : I imagine you will focus on the track after your world record this summer ... What are your goals for the next seasons ?
AL : I would really like to get good results at the world championships, and of course the US team is focused on qualifying for the Olympics in team pursuit.
CT : What can you tell me about your training ? Do you do special training, or only the bike ?
AL : My coach Ben Sharp and my physical trainer Chris Delsaga give me my training, but it mainly consists of a combination of interior and exterior, of power and endurance, and bodybuilding.
CT : Do you think that doing a lot of endurance can help to perform on very short efforts such as chasing? ?
Al : Even though the individual chase is a relatively short distance, compared to something like Crossing Kansas, it's the same challenge, only condensed. The chase is too long to be a sprint. You should set your intensity to 4 km just as you have to find your rhythm on 400 miles. Mental variations are the same, only over a shorter period.
CT : What's your favorite thing about cycling ?
AL : I love the challenge of the race, but also quite simply to go out on my bike. Of course it's very hard, but I have already spent a lot of time on a bicycle, and it's always fun !
CT : And finally, for you, what is the key to success ?
AL : Support of the family, regularity, and the pleasure !
Many thanks to Ashton Lambie for this great interview !
