MyWhoosh and the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) will deliver the fourth edition of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, hosting an in-person, live final on October 26, 2024, in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
In August 2023, the UCI announced that MyWhoosh (replacing Zwift) would be the exclusive platform and organiser of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships for the next three years (2024-2026).
MyWhoosh notes that it aims to redefine the event… ‘introducing a new format to provide maximum opportunities for all types of riders to succeed across the various races. The introduction of a points-based system will create a new level of excitement.’
The new format will accommodate 150 men and 150 women in the semi-finals for the first time. This expansion in the number of participants reflects MyWhoosh’s broader strategy to foster growth in cycling esports and provide a more inclusive platform for competitors internationally.
Qualification pathways
A series of qualification pathways will be held in the months leading into September. Approximately 80% of the starting spots for the semi-finals will be allocated to cycling national federations, which will then select their national representatives. The remaining 20% of semi-finalists will qualify through the MyWhoosh platform’s public qualification process.
This two-way pathway aims to deliver greater accessibility to the semi-finals. MyWhoosh adds that criteria have been put in place to ensure a transparent and fair selection process for all athletes, including those from nations that do not yet have a strong culture of cycling esports.
Semi-finals: two-stage format
The semi-finals – taking place in a two-stage format – will be held in September, with the participation of the 150 qualified athletes in each gender competing virtually from across the world.
The first race will cover a challenging 9km circuit, with a points system determining the top 80 who will advance to the next race.
In the second race, an intense stage will feature four laps of a 4km circuit, narrowing the field down to the top 20 riders who will advance to the live final on October 26, in Abu Dhabi.
In-person live final in Abu Dhabi – points based event
The 20 qualified men and 20 qualified women (plus two wild cards per gender) will be invited to Abu Dhabi to compete in the grand finale in-person.
Riders will compete across three intense, short races, earning points in each race that will determine the final rankings. In a test of strategy and stamina, the riders amassing the highest total point scores across the races will be crowned the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Champions.
- Race 1 – The Sprint – the competition will start with riders given 15 mins to set their fastest time over a 300m individual timed sprint. The circuit distance is 1.7km and riders can attempt the sprint as many times as they want during the 15 mins. The addition of a sprint race is a new feature introduced for the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, aiming to provide opportunities for all types of riders to earn points.
- Race 2 – The Strategy – the second race will consist of a 9km circuit with a climb and is all about earning points via three intermediate sprints per circuit. The Strategy race is not necessarily about being the best climber, any athlete can win by accumulating the most points on offer.
- Race 3 – All Out – the final race will take place over a 4km circuit, to be repeated four times, with points to be earned at the top of a short, sharp climb on each lap.
MyWhoosh CEO/Managing Director, Akhtar Saeed Hashmi, said “MyWhoosh is proud to spearhead the evolution of cycling esports. Our commitment to innovation and inclusivity is at the forefront as we introduce a ground-breaking points-based format, catering to athletes of all physiological characteristics.
“With the privilege of hosting the live final in Abu Dhabi, we are dedicated to changing the cycling esports landscape. In a significant move, we are expanding the semi-finals to accommodate over 150 riders, reflecting our broader strategy to foster global growth and inclusivity in cycling esports. The qualification pathways, blending national federation selections and MyWhoosh’s public qualification process, ensure transparency and fairness, opening doors for athletes worldwide.”
UCI President David Lappartient said “Since the first edition in 2020, the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships have enraptured athletes and fans of cycling and of esports in general. This year will be the first time all of the finalists compete in-person, adding an extra dimension to an already successful and popular event.
“Thanks to our partnership with MyWhoosh, the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will take on a new, innovative format, further stamping its mark in the world of cycling and esports.”
In addition to the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships this year, Abu Dhabi will also 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 become a global hub for top-class cycling events.
