119 men from 25 countries and 105 women from 26 countries competed in the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships semi-final to secure a place in the grand finale, to be held in person in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on October 26, 2024.
The two-stage qualifying event held on September 6, 2024 saw Ollie Jones from New Zealand qualify in top position in the men’s race, while Great Britain’s Lou Bates triumphed in the women’s event.
Belgian riders will be well represented in the men’s final, with four of the nation’s racers making it through. In the women’s qualifier, it was Swedish riders who packed the upper reaches of the results board, with an impressive six racers from the Scandinavian cycling nation making the cut.
The riders qualified for the women’s final represent 11 countries, while the riders qualified for the men’s final represent 12 countries.
All 40 qualified riders are invited to race the final in Abu Dhabi on October 26, using Elite Justo 2 trainers tested and verified by the UCI.
Live final in Abu Dhabi
On October 26, 2024, the final of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will consist of three separate races – The Sprint, The Strategy and All Out – to suit all types of riders.
Race 1: the sprint
In the first race, held over a 1.7km circuit, riders will have 15 minutes to set their best time in an individual sprint over 300m. This is a tactical event, where strategy and power will be paramount.
Within 15 minutes, riders will have an opportunity to set their best time based on a variety of options: to set the best time early while they still have plenty of energy or wait until the last moment to give their all to beat the fastest time. After the 15 minutes are up, the rider that has recorded the best time scores maximum points.
The addition of a sprint race is a new feature and was introduced specifically for the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships to offer all types of riders maximum opportunities to collect points.
Race 2: the strategy
The second race sees riders compete on a 9km circuit with a 1.5km virtual climb. The aim is to collect points at three different moments: at the base and the top of the climb, and at the finish line.
Race 3: all out
The final race is contested over four laps of a 4km virtual criterium circuit. Points are awarded at the end of each lap, with double points available on the final lap. The finish of each lap is at the top of a short, steep virtual climb with a maximum gradient of 12%.
All riders will start the final with zero points. In both the women’s and men’s final, the rider who has accumulated the most points across the three races will be crowned 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Champion.
The 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships is being held on MyWhoosh’s virtual cycling platform. The virtual cycling event aims to ensure a balanced blend of accessibility, fairness, and competition.
The presence of all qualified riders in Abu Dhabi for the three-race final will also aim to captivate both the audience and the competitors as they battle for the title of cycling esports UCI World Champion.
In addition to the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, Abu Dhabi will host the 2024 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships, the 2028 UCI Road World Championships, the 2028 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships and the 2029 UCI Track World Championships, confirming its ambitions to becoming a global hub for top-class cycling events.
Matthew Smithson, Senior Manager – Esports Events & Game Operations at MyWhoosh, said “With the semi-final of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships concluded, MyWhoosh has demonstrated its commitment to bringing cycling esports to a global audience.
“The next phase is an inclusive three-stage in-person final in Abu Dhabi, with points awarded across sprints, climbs and criterium-style racing. The event will showcase the diverse talents of the world’s best cycling esports athletes battling for the title of 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Champion.
“The live event on October 26 promises not only intense competition for the riders but also an outstanding experience for the audience.”
UCI President David Lappartient added, “Thanks to an exhilarating qualification process, we have a fantastic line-up of riders who have already proven their exceptional talent and who will now compete for the ultimate goal, the title of UCI World Champion.
“This will be an unprecedented event in Abu Dhabi – the first time all finalists compete at the same venue – that I am sure will delight both the athletes and fans. Cycling esports continues to develop and innovate, and the final of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships in Abu Dhabi on 26 October marks another exciting step forward for the discipline.”
