Spanish bike trainer firm Bkool is giving fans and riders from all over the world the opportunity to test themselves on a virtual experience of the roads in Spain, as the action unfolds at this year’s Vuelta a Espana.
Using the GPX data from the 2018 route, Bkool has uploaded four different stages of one of cycling’s biggest races to its indoor simulator platform. This gives riders the opportunity to cycle the route profile and challenge themselves on its iconic climbs and descents in a 3D world.
The simulator includes the following stages:
Stage 1 Malaga 8km ITT – For the first time since 2009 the Vuelta will be starting with an ITT. In Bkool’s virtual version, riders can relive the course that will decide the first wearer of the Maillot Rojo at the 2018 edition of the Vuelta.
Stage 9 Talavera la Reina to La Covatilla – The Vuelta returns to La Covatilla for the first key summit finish of this year’s Vuelta, and the gruelling climb where Froome and Wiggins imposed themselves during the 2011 edition of the race.
Stage 15 Ribera Del Arriba – Lagos De Covadonga – The Vuelta returns to familiar ground on Stage 15 where the Lagos de Covadonga is tackled for the fifth time since 2010. It will be a punishing ascent as the climb is ranked second in difficulty in Spain next only to the fearsome Angrilu.
Stage 17 Getxo – Monte Oiz – Heading into uncharted terrain on stage 17 riders will tackle the difficult Basque climb of Monte Oiz. This new climb is bound to shake up the general classification at a critical point in the race.
Bkool will also be running a rider challenge throughout this year’s race – the #LaVueltaBkool. On the three Thursdays of the Vuelta, during stages 6,12 and 18, riders will have the opportunity to compete in multiplayer challenges and will ride at the same time as the pros. All riders that take part in the challenge will have the opportunity to win prizes from brands such as Siroco, Taymory and Cofidis.
Bkool is a technology company that creates interactive and innovative solutions for sports and video gaming. In the field of cycling, it has developed an advanced trainer and simulator. The simulator lets cyclists ride routes in a 3D virtual environment alongside other cyclists connected in real time. With the simulator, users can experience the same sensations they would have on the road. Bkool’s 3D World technology ‘simulates any route in the world in 3D and recreates the actual elevation of the terrain and the details in the landscape’.
The company’s 3D Real Weather technology also recreates the weather in real time on any route. Bkool is available in seven languages, including Chinese and Japanese, and distributes its products worldwide.
