Lots has occurred to the UCI Esports World Championships because it was final held in February 2023. In August, it was revealed that UAE-based indoor coaching platform MyWhoosh had emerged victorious from a young course of to ship the occasion for the subsequent three editions. The primary three (2020, 2022 and 2023) had been delivered by Zwift, however MyWhoosh, whose platform is free to make use of, will host the competitors from 2024 to 2026.Â
The championships have additionally been moved from February to October, regardless of the earlier transfer from December to February that means 2021 was basically a skipped 12 months.Â
Now, the format of the race is ready to alter too. Cyclingnews attended the model’s latest official launch and press convention in Abu Dhabi, the place particulars of the racing platform and championship format had been introduced, which can embody a brand new points-based system.Â
MyWhoosh unveiled a model new digital world through which the championships will happen, in addition to qualification particulars, and a breakdown of the brand new format and construction, which we go into extra element on beneath.Â
“MyWhoosh is proud to spearhead the evolution of biking esports, stated MyWhoosh’s CEO and Managing Director, Akhtar Saeed Hashmi.Â
“Our dedication to innovation and inclusivity is on the forefront as we introduce a groundbreaking points-based format, catering to athletes of all physiological traits. With the privilege of internet hosting the reside last in Abu Dhabi, we’re devoted to altering the biking esports panorama.”
Hashmi additionally revealed a change to the scale of the sphere, in addition to hinting on the qualification processes, stating: “In a big transfer, we’re increasing the semi-finals to accommodate over 150 riders, reflecting our broader technique to foster international development and inclusivity in biking esports. The qualification pathways, mixing Nationwide Federation picks and MyWhoosh’s public qualification course of, guarantee transparency and equity, opening doorways for athletes worldwide.”
Qualification pathways
A brand new host and platform for the Esports Worlds means a shakeup to the qualification pathway and racing format.Â
Qualification for the Esports World Championships shall be cut up between spots allotted to nationwide federations, who will then choose riders to race utilizing their very own means. The remaining 20% of contributors will come from a public qualification course of. MyWhoosh says this two-way pathway will present larger accessibility to the semi-finals, in addition to making certain a clear and truthful choice course of for athletes. This could imply that, a bit just like the gravel world championships, sturdy (we suspect very sturdy) amateurs could have an opportunity of racing the professionals within the finals.Â
Talking on the press convention in Abu Dhabi, Michael Rogers, head of highway and innovation on the UCI, stated that the UCI had regarded on the outcomes from the earlier two Esports Worlds editions and used the (outside) highway world factors system for the highest 60 riders. This implies nations with sturdy outcomes over the earlier two years would qualify extra riders for the 2024 championships.Â
The UCI additionally said that they want to have interaction with much more nations from across the globe and did not rule out the potential for a couple of wildcard entries for the championships, although Tadej Pogacar did not affirm whether or not he would participate after we spoke to him on the occasion.
A brand new racing format
After qualification, 150 female and male riders will take part within the semi-finals, which can happen in September in a two-race format. Racers will compete just about world wide within the semi-finals forward of the reside last in Abu Dhabi.Â
The primary of the 2 semi-final races shall be over a 9 kilometre circuit. A factors system will see the highest 80 riders from every race advance to the second race. The second race shall be over 4 laps of a shorter 4 kilometre circuit. This may slender the sphere down to twenty males and 20 ladies.
After the semi-finals, 20 female and male riders, plus two wildcards per race, will battle it out on the reside grand finale in Abu Dhabi.Â
The finals shall be damaged down into three races, which MyWhoosh says will want technique and include one thing to go well with a variety of riders. The finals shall be primarily based on a factors race format. Factors earned in every of the three races will decide the ultimate end result, although we do not know the precise factors breakdowns but. The rider amassing the very best complete level rating throughout the races shall be topped the 2024 UCI ESports World Champion.
Race 1 – The DashÂ
Riders could have quarter-hour on a 1.7km course to set their quickest time over a 300-metre particular person, timed dash. A reside timing leaderboard will enable riders to see the quickest occasions and select whether or not to dash once more if wanted.Â
Apparently, riders can try the dash as many occasions as they need.Â
Race 2 – The TechniqueÂ
The second race within the finals will happen on a nine-kilometre circuit with roughly a four-minute climb and focuses on incomes factors by way of three intermediate sprints per circuit. MyWhoosh says the technique race isn’t about being the most effective climber, and that any athlete can win by accumulating probably the most factors.Â
In the course of the press convention, Matt Smithson, race management and race occasions supervisor at MyWhoosh, defined the sprints could be on the backside of the climb, the highest of the climb and that the ultimate ending straight would carry double factors.Â
Race 3 – All outÂ
The ultimate race will happen over 4 laps of a four-kilometre circuit. Factors shall be on provide on the prime of a brief, sharp climb every lap. Double factors shall be on provide on the end line on the ultimate lap. MyWhoosh believes the general standings must be very tight coming into this last race and it ought to present pleasure proper to the tip.
The female and male riders with the very best factors complete on the finish of the three races shall be topped world champion.Â
