Unipublic, organiser of La Vuelta, has got together with ROUVY, the virtual cycling platform. The two organisations have signed an exclusive three-year agreement. This includes the digitization of stages of La Vuelta, such as the climb to Javalambre Observatory, among many others.
‘Each year, ROUVY will launch new virtual locations in its app. The partnership will offer athletes a year-round, continuous series of events and unprecedented access to both real and virtual experience on the most iconic and exciting routes of the Spanish Grand Tour.’
The new three-year agreement builds on a previous partnership between the companies. La Vuelta Virtual 2021 by ROUVY will take place between the months of August 2021 and April 2022.
ROUVY is converting a number of stages and segments of La Vuelta and adding them to its catalogue so that amateur riders from around the world may ride and relive them from home at any time.
As an appetizer, ROUVY has prepared a special program, so that the cycling community can ride alongside the real stages of the event, at the same time as the pros. This year’s real-world pro event is scheduled for August 14, 2021 through to September 5, 2021.
The series of digital events will run between the months of August 2021 and April 2022. It will consist of several digitally recreated stages of the Spanish tour’s 2021 edition. Both local nationals and international riders around the globe will be able to compete over the stages in real time, from their homes on smart trainers.
‘During these events users will relive one of the stages of La Vuelta (the selection will include some of the most emblematic stages, such as the climb of Altu d’El Gamoniteiru or the sprint through the Burgos neighbourhood of Gamonal).’
ROUVY has chosen five stages that may be completed virtually at the same time as the professional peloton of La Vuelta 21. The first race series of ROUVY riders chasing the professional peloton online will take place on stages 2, 4, 6, 11 and 12 of the 2021 edition.
All participants will be competing for prizes ranging from official merchandise of La Vuelta and its partners, through to VIP visits and a real-world experience of La Vuelta stages.
The virtual Vuelta stages will be broadcast on Facebook and YouTube, commentated by experts and ex-pros selected for the occasion.
Petr Samek, CEO of ROUVY, said “It is so exciting to be an exclusive, multiple-year, official partner of La Vuelta. I am sure the fans will appreciate the exquisite and amazing opportunity to join the Spanish Grand Tour online with real training efforts.
“This way, we are exploring the new standard of interactivity for cycling events, teleporting the core battles of the tour to every hobby rider’s house. ROUVY is a specialist in 1:1 simulation of the realistic feeling of being in the actual location while riding on a bike indoors.
“So, with ROUVY, anyone can fulfil the dream of being a part of the pro peloton and compare themselves to the best riders on the planet, even from home.”
www.rouvy.com
www.lavuelta.com
