If a horrifying car crash and losing four fingers can't stop Liam Edwards, perhaps nothing can.
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Less than three months after he came within inches of death while driving back from Violet Town, the 20-year-old cyclist is not only back on the bike, but he is breaking new ground, set to compete in the para-cycling division of the Australian National Road Race Championships beginning today.
As he lay in The Alfred on October 20 — coincidentally his 20th birthday — the notion he would race so soon would have felt far-fetched.
While quickly cleared of brain and neck injuries and spinal fractures, attention turned to Edwards’ severely damaged right hand, with fears he would lose as many as four fingers.
That potential became a reality, losing all his right-hand digits bar his thumb — but to think that would stop the Shepparton product chasing his cycling dreams would be to drastically underestimate the fortitude he possesses.
Just one week later Edwards was back on the bike, riding his indoor trainer, and as strength has progressively returned in his hand, preparations for the nationals have also ramped up.
Riding a modified bike, he will compete in today's Ballarat-hosted para-cycling 23.6 km time trial before attacking Saturday's 61.2 km road race — and Edwards was just thrilled to be getting back on the horse.
“I got on (the bike) a week after I came back from hospital, I just did about half an hour on the bike,” he said.
“It's been a slow recovery, but I've got some good fitness now which hopefully should set me up for the nationals.
“All the gears are on the left side, my front break is too, so everything is on the left side. My right hand just has to hold on really which makes it a hell of a lot easier, and I've got some good grip there now to be able to get my drink bottle or get something to eat.
“Having it all on the left makes it much easier.”
But on October 19, cycling would have felt insignificant as his life flashed before his eyes, his car rolling countless times while being obliterated after making contact with a tree.
“I just remember leaving Violet Town and heading to work. I was in the work car and I had it in cruise control around the corner, and it spun out on me,” Edwards said.
“I remember hitting a tree, rolling God knows how many times, and the scary thing is getting out of it with the bleeding, it was a scary time and being a day before your birthday didn't really help.”
While Edwards’ positive nature has him moving forward at great pace, the generous slice of luck required to stay alive was not lost on him.
“It definitely could have been a hell of a lot worse — I'm lucky to be here,” he said.
“I've had a few mates that have messaged me that have lost some of their mates who haven't been so lucky.
“To think how lucky I was to hit the tree at the right spot and to roll that many times, there's been 15 or 20 variables that have saved my life.”
Airlifted to The Alfred, a dark few days were on the cards with bad news and post-traumatic flashbacks haunting him.
“I remember getting the news I was going to be losing three fingers or four fingers, so that was a bit surreal,” Edwards said.
“Probably hospital was the worst, now it's fine, but hospital was the worst, I couldn't sleep and I was hearing the metal of the car scraping across the road.”
Initially slated for multiple surgeries and a two-to-three week hospital stint, surgeons were unable to save his four fingers, meaning he spent just four nights in hospital before returning to his Mooroopna home.
Thoughts quickly turned to cycling; expecting grip with his right hand would be minimal, Edwards almost lost hope of continuing his promising career, but as time has passed he has recommitted to the two-wheeled discipline.
“Initially, losing four fingers I thought cycling wasn't going to be possible with the grip, so I was looking at other sports like running obviously where you just have to use your legs,” he said.
“That was the only thing that was wrong from the crash, my fingers. I was going to be looking at other sports, but to find out I've got some grip and can still ride, that was good.
“It's taken a little bit, I had my hand wrapped up for a month and a half and only just recently got it taken off after my last surgery.
“The real strengthening process has now started, the recovery is pretty much over, so now it's about strengthening the hand and using it in everyday life.”
Now, Edwards will test himself against the nation's best para-cyclists — and no matter what happens, it is fair to say he has already cemented himself as a true champion by beating every challenge thrown his way.
“We'll just see how we go, if i get a placing that's awesome; if I don't, I don't, but it will be good to be back racing,” he said.
● Edwards will not be the only local competing for a national title, with several Shepparton Cycling Club members heading to Ballarat.
Cycling Australia's 2019 Masters Track Male Cyclist of the Year Brad Norton will be competing in the Clubs Team Time Trial, while wife Rhianon Norton will look to add Australian glory to her Victorian gold in the Elite Women's Time Trial.
Byron Woods will tackle the Under-23 Road Race, while Bradley Higgins and Peter McClelland are contesting the Gran Fondo.
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