UCI Cycling Esport World Championships coming to Zwift in 2020
Cycling's governing body and the online riding app have agreed to host inaugural world champion crowning events next year
Virtual cycling is getting its first world championships sanctioned by the sports governing body. Last week, the UCI and Zwift announced that they have agreed on terms to host the inaugural UCI Cycling Esports World Championships in 2020. The race format, location of the event and qualifying details are still being ironed out and expect to be announced in the coming months.
Zwift and the UCI have a working relationship that’s seen the social virtually riding and racing platform recreate three world championship finishing circuits for the riding community to train and race on in the virtual world.
“We have been looking at the emergence of esports for some time with Zwift,” said David Lappartient. “As the governing body for the sport, we need to remain open to technical innovations and change, and to remain relevant to all audiences.”
The UCI president explained that part of the appeal of expanding into esports is to reach a younger audience. “Zwift is a platform that is enjoyed by people of all ages and abilities,” said Lappartient. “However, there is a particularly exciting opportunity through esports as we look to attract a younger audience to cycling. Together we have an opportunity to support a fitter youth, through the creation of a new sustainable sport.”
Zwift has expanded beyond just hosting an online place for people to train. Racing and esports is becoming a more prevalent part of the apps business. In 2019 after a round of venture funding, Zwift launched the KISS Super League for pro esport cycling.
“Earlier this year, we marked our ambition to develop an esports platform, but I think it’s much more than that. We are looking to establish a new cycling discipline,” explained Zwift CEO and co-founder Eric Min. “This partnership is a significant leap in that journey as we move further towards our ambition of delivering competition at the highest level in sport.”
While running a pro cycling team can be extremely expensive, Zwift racing has a lower barrier for entry while still allowing athletes access to global racing. Without the logistical costs of a traditional race event, Zwift Esports division is trying to appeal to brands and athletes in a new way with the goal of increasing interest and participation in cycling.
In the coming months, the UCI and Zwift are expected to expand the UCI rulebook to include cycling esports.