The coming weekend will see the cycling world gain several new world champions. On Saturday, it’s time for a new edition of the eRacing World Championships. The event will once again take place in Abu Dhabi this year, but what else do you need to know about the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships?
MyWhoosh – the exclusive partner of the UCI and thus responsible for organizing the eRacing World Championships – is based in Abu Dhabi. The next edition of the World Championships will therefore once again be held in the United Arab Emirates, specifically on Saturday, November 15, at the Space42 Arena in Abu Dhabi.
A total of 44 elite riders – 22 men and 22 women – from sixteen countries will compete for the coveted rainbow jerseys. The finalists qualified after a highly competitive semifinal in October, in which 123 women and 134 men from over 25 countries battled for a spot in the big final.
Last year, the women’s world title went to Mary Kate McCarthy. The New Zealander edged out Brazilian Gabriela Guerra and Swiss Kathrin Fuhrer. On the men’s side, Jason Osborne took the title. The German stayed ahead of Belgian Lionel Vujasin and Finn Kasper Borremans.
These top contenders (except for Fuhrer) will be back on Saturday, along with riders such as Ruben D'Hondt, Riccardo Pannizza, and Lennert Teugels (also known as a road cyclist) among the men, and Nicole Meyer, Johanna Tidholm, and Hao Zhang in the elite women’s race.
The final consists of three different stages in a virtual world specially built for the UCI on the MyWhoosh platform, featuring a points system where riders start from zero. All finalists race on the Elite Justo 2 smart trainer, which has been thoroughly tested and verified by the UCI to ensure fairness and accuracy throughout the competition.
The first stage is immediately very challenging, as riders face an eight-kilometer course with gradients reaching up to 20%. In this stage, riders earn points for every five seconds they stay ahead of their chasers. The scoring begins two minutes after the race start. A rider is immediately eliminated if the chasers catch up to them.
Can Jason Osborne defend his title? – Image: UCI
The second stage will take place on a twelve-kilometer undulating course, featuring steep climbs and fast descents, suitable for explosive riders. Points are awarded through a combination of two sprint and two climbing checkpoints, with extra points at the finish line. Importantly, riders must keep accumulating points throughout the entire race to stay in contention.
The deciding moment comes in the third and final stage. It promises to be a spectacular finale, with eight laps on a fast and flat 1.5-kilometer circuit. Points are awarded at the end of each lap, with double points at the finish, keeping the competition exciting until the very end.
Stage 1: The Mountain’s Verdict
Stage 2: The Puncher’s Playground
Stage 3: The Sprinter’s Paradise
Reaction David Lappartient
"This year marks the fifth edition of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships and the third edition on the MyWhoosh platform. This event gains popularity and intensity every year thanks to its innovative and evolving format."
"The athletes competing this weekend need to demonstrate all-round skills to have a shot at the rainbow jersey. We expect spectacular performances from the riders, all of whom have gone through a strict qualifying system to participate in the final in Abu Dhabi."
