Zwift launches first pro cycling esports racing with Kiss Super League
Pro teams are going head-to-head in the first professional cycling esport league on the virtual online riding platform
Riding the trainer indoors is about to get much more serious. On Wednesday, Zwift launched the first e-racing league for pro riders. The Kiss Super League brings together professional riders from pro road teams to compete on the online virtual riding platform. The league is a demonstration launch before Zwift plans to release a complete Zwift eRacing product to the general public in 2020.
The Kiss Super League is the first to feature pro cyclists. In total, four UCI Pro Continental, nine UCI Continental and two Zwift community teams will make-up the 15 team men’s league. The women’s league will be composed of six pro UCI teams and two Zwift community teams. Some of the teams participating include the Israel Cycling Academy, Cofidis, Hagens Berman Axeon, Canyon-Sram, Sho-Air Twenty20 and Cervelo-Bigla.
Zwift is attempting to gamifying the indoor cycling experience and introduce it to a new audience. That includes young riders and the wider public whose interest may be peaked by the esport. The goal isn’t to challenge real bike races.
“We’re not here to compete against the mighty backdrops of the Monuments and Grand Tours of pro cycling.” explained Craig Edmondson who was hired from the English Premier League to lead Zwift’s esport business.
“Our role is to deliver something brand-new to cycling. By gamifying racing we will create entertaining coverage and introduce an added dimension to bike racing,” he said. “Team-based competition, power ups, course ‘know how’ and the differences in racing physics makes Zwift a new battleground for competition. Watts per kilogram is only one of many key factors.”
Kiss Racing have also announced will launch a Zwift community centred around Kiss League for amateur competitions.
ICA kit ready? Check. Legs shaven ? Check. After Shave and deodorant , check. @Elite_cycling trainer? Check. Our riders @conordunnealot and @benjefperry getting ready for action : @GoZwift kiss league opener! Watch: https://t.co/XrMYwiH7ke 20;00 CET ,21:00 Israel ?? pic.twitter.com/XRFZxEP1ML
— Israel Start-Up Nation / Israel Cycling Academy (@YallaIsraelSUN) January 23, 2019
Zwift will be live streaming on their Facebook page the first competition from Pinarello’s London Flagship store on Jan. 23.
