In Episode 54 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma sit down with Jacob Fraser, the UCI's Cycling Esports Coordinator. Fraser's journey from early involvement in cycling esports with platforms like Zwift and MyWhoosh to his current role with the UCI showcases his impact on the sport's rapid evolution. His insights shed light on the UCI's commitment to advancing cycling esports, particularly in establishing a comprehensive framework that ensures credibility and engagement across the global cycling community.

Fraser discusses the UCI's vision for the future of cycling esports, emphasizing key initiatives such as performance verification and smart trainer standardization. He elaborates on the UCI's plans for an International Calendar and Ranking System, providing a structured environment for competitive cyclists worldwide.

A significant topic of conversation is the UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Tender Process, where Fraser reveals why the UCI selected MyWhoosh over Zwift as the official platform and responds to community sentiment. Fraser reflects on the UCI's intent to foster innovation and broaden engagement with National Cycling Federations, ensuring a unified approach to the sport's growth.

As cycling esports garners more attention, Fraser addresses its potential inclusion in the Olympics and the UCI's response to community sentiment surrounding this dynamic discipline. With the sport's landscape continuously evolving, the conversation offers an in-depth look at the UCI's strategic direction and commitment to nurturing cycling esports' future.

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.

• UCI in Transition: Examining the Governing Body’s Contribution, Relevance, and Evolving Role—Does Cycling Esports Need The UCI? [Zommunique, April 10, 2024]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 2024]
• Equal Treatment: Examining UCI’s Disparities in Governance for Cycling Esports [Zommunique, April 30, 2024]
• Cycling Esports Will Be In The Olympics, But Is The Foundation Strong Enough? [Zommunique, Aug. 12, 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!

In Episode 53 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome the Danish Cycling Union’s Esports Director Martin Wang Hjørngaard. Denmark is the home of the defending men’s cycling esports World Champion, Bjørn Andreassen, and the second most medals in Cycling Esports World Championship history. The nation’s perennial success is no coincidence.

With Hjørngaard at the helm and buy-in by the Danish Cycling Union, the athletes receive financial backing, coaching support, and National Team acknowledgment. Sponsorships, global partnerships, and broadcasting contracts enhance the sport’s visibility, and the televised yearly live event National Cycling Esports Championship paves the way for the development of the discipline.

Listen as Hjørngaard shares his perspective on why the national federations are essential to the elite evolution of cycling esports and what he’s doing to ensure the success of his athletes.

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]
• Danish Federation’s Cycling Esports Leadership is an Example for NGBs [Zommunique, Feb. 28, 2024]
• Virtual Velo Podcast-Ep. 17: 2023 Cycling Esports Worlds Wrap up with Winner Bjorn Andreassen and Lionel Vujasin [Zommunique, Feb. 21, 2023]
• Cycling Esports Will Be In The Olympics, But Is The Foundation Strong Enough? [Zommunique, Aug. 12, 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!

In Episode 52 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Great Britain’s cycling esports superstar, Lou Bates. From a bustling corner of her Zurich hotel lobby, Emma found a coveted Wi-Fi signal and a short window of time. She’s there putting words to the action, calling numerous 2024 Road and Para-Cycling World Champions for the BBC. [Please excuse the sound quality.]

Will Lou be one of them at this year’s Cycling Esports World Championships? After a technology mishap ended her quest for the rainbow bands in 2023, the powerful puncheur is on a mission in 2024. She blitzed the semi-finals to take the top spot and punch her ticket to the live event Cycling Esports World Championship Final in Abu Dhabi.

Lou shares the wild, emotional roller coaster ride and explains why, even if it rolls to a stop, it wouldn’t change who she is or her love for cycling.

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]
• Elite Eracer Lou Bates Has Found the Tricky Balance [Zommunique, Feb. 5, 2022]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 2024]
• This Season On Zwift: The Racer’s Edition 2024/25 [Zommunique, Sept. 16, 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!

In Episode 51 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and guest host, cycling broadcaster Matt Payne, welcome 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship finalist, the USA's Hayden "Farmwatts" Pucker.

He epitomizes the new breed of cycling esports racers making a mark on the sport through their youthful exuberance, competitive charisma, and drive to be the best in the world. In a sport that often struggles to create personal connections, his passion really shines through.

Or perhaps it's his freakish farmwatts that endear him to fans and make him the pundit's pick. Listen to Hayden discuss the traits that have him poised to realize his dream.

Will his made-for-movies athletic journey have a storybook ending? Hayden is just getting started!

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]
• Get to Know Why They Call This Elite Cyclist, Hayden “Farmwatts” Pucker [Zommunique, Jan. 8, 2024]
• The Rise of Cyclors: The high-wattage cyclists who power America's Cup teams [CyclingNews, May 17, 2024]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 2024]
• This Season On Zwift: The Racer’s Edition 2024/25 [Zommunique, Sept. 16, 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!

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!

In Episode 49 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24's Kristen Kulchinsky and Coach Josh Lipka. The reigning US National Cycling Esports Champion is on a barnstorming campaign in her first year as a real world cyclist, crushing the course record on every hill climb she entered, including an epic victory atop the toughest hill climb in the US, if not the world.

Kristen shares the dramatic account as she conquered the 22% pitches of Mt. Washington's upper slopes with a puncture and muscle cramps to win its 51st edition alongside Team Saris' Cameron Cogburn.

Her Coach, Josh Lipka, shares his insight into balancing the physiological demands of multiple disciplines and what it will take for his rider to make it to the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships live final in Abu Dhabi and keep form for the upcoming Zwift World Series and Zwift Games.

They also delve into the recent announcement that supertri E has partnered with MyWhoosh and discuss why this partnership could be more impactful than the UCI's involvement. Additionally, they shine a spotlight on the federations that fully support cycling esports, those that don't, and the one that is prohibiting athletes from participating.

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.

• From Virtual to Real World Victory—Elite Cyclist Kristen Kulchinsky [Zommunique, Sept. 28, 2023]
• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Semi-Finals Details Revealed [Zommunique, Aug. 28, 2024]
• Zwift Reveals 2024/25 Elite Community Racing Season Plans [Zommunique, June 24, 2024]
• Cycling Esports Will Be In The Olympics, But Is The Foundation Strong Enough? [Zommunique, Aug. 12, 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!

In Episode 48 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma discuss the Zwift Community Elite 2024/25 season performance verification process changes with AthleteAnalytiX founder Bjoern Ossenbrink.

Bjoern is a pioneer in the space. Beginning as a Zwift beta-tester, he progressed from community racer to leading ZADA, the Zwift Accuracy and Data Analysis team. He is a widely acknowledged expert in online sport cheat detection and cycling esports authenticity.

For the upcoming Zwift World Series and the Zwift Games 2025, Zwift will work with AthleteAnalytiX to provide an independent performance verification solution.

Bjoern believes that AthleteAnalytiX’s systems will become as essential to endurance athletes as Training Peaks and Strava, playing a crucial role in anti-doping efforts that extend beyond digital boundaries into the real world across various sports.

• What must athletes do to meet Zwift’s new pre-verification requirements?
• How is AthleteAnalytiX affiliated with other cycling esports platforms, such as indieVelo?
• Will AthleteAnalytiX accept the MyWhoosh Power Passport?

This insight and more during the enlightening conversation, which has broad implications for the present and future of online and real-world sport.

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.

• Zwift Reveals 2024/25 Elite Community Racing Season Plans [Zommunique, June 24, 2024]
• Zwift Takes Step Toward Commitment to Elevate Homegrown Cycling Esports Stars and Grassroots Growth in 2024/25 [Zommunique, July 15, 2024]
• VVN’s Most Impactful People in Cycling Esports For 2024 [Zommunique, March 18, 2024]
• Zwift’s Cycling Esports Commission Chairman and ZADA Lead Move On From the Company [Zommunique, June 20, 2023]

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!

In Episode 47 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome elite esports cyclist Elyse Gallegos. The IRONMAN champion and mother to two young boys is proud to represent the USA in the semi-finals of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.

Elyse shares her experience balancing family priorities while striving for personal athletic goals. She is equally passionate about promoting cycling esports and raising awareness of the potential for athletes throughout the US and worldwide.

Her sincere excitement for the future of cycling esports is infectious. Tune in to learn how she plans to get it done and punch her ticket to Abu Dhabi in October.

The episode also delivers in-depth reporting on several hot Cycling Esports topics and important updates:

• Cycling Esports World Championship Open Qualifier details on MyWhoosh
• Smart Trainer Standardization for the World Championship Live Event Final in Abu Dhabi
• Upcoming Zwift Elite Racing Season

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.

• Get to Know Zwift Grand Prix 2023/24 Elite Cyclist Elyse Gallegos [Zommunique, January 1, 2024]
• UCI Releases 2024 Cycling Esports World Championship Race Book Clarifying Event Details [Zommunique, June 5, 2024]
• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Public Qualification Pathway Details Revealed [Zommunique, July 16, 2024]
• Zwift Takes Step Toward Commitment to Elevate Homegrown Cycling Esports Stars and Grassroots Growth in 2024/25 [Zommunique, July 15, 2024]
• The Olympic Esports Games set for 2025: here’s what we know about the event [Cycling Weekly, January 31, 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!