In Episode 50 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Matt Smithson, MyWhoosh's Senior Director of Esports and Events. Before getting Matt's prediction for who will pull the rainbow-striped jersey over their heads, he shares MyWhoosh's unlikely journey to the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Semi-Final, which took place on September 6th.

They break down the thrilling semi-final action and give the 20 men's and women's qualifiers a sneak peek into what they, and the fans, can expect during the first-of-its-kind live event final in Abu Dhabi on October 26th.

This special 50th edition of the Virtual Velo Podcast covers performance verification, smart trainer standardization, public qualification, the UCI partnership, the National Federations, the lessons the MyWhoosh team learned by hosting the event for the first time, and how they plan to make 2025 even better.

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode. We’ve curated a selection of articles that inspired our conversation, providing you with exclusive insights.

• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports Finalists Punch Their Tickets to the Live Event in Abu Dhabi [Zommunique, Sept. 10, 2024]
• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Semi-Finals Details Revealed [Zommunique, Aug. 28, 2024]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 2024]
• Emerging Cycling Culture in Abu Dhabi: Grassroots Racing and Community Infrastructure Investment [Zommunique, May 20, 2024]

Join us for a conversational ride where we not only lend a voice to the digital athlete but also bridge the gap between athlete and avatar. We invite you to be part of this exciting exploration of the future of virtual sport and digital athlete engagement!