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A lot has changed at the UCI Esports World Championship since it was last held in February 2023. In August, it was revealed that UAE-based indoor training platform MyWhoosh had won the bidding process to host the next three editions of the event. The first three contests (2020, 2022, and 2023) were distributed by Zwift, but MyWhoosh, whose platform is free to use, will host the contest from 2024 to 2026.
Despite previously being moved from December to February, the championship has also been moved from February to October, effectively making 2021 a skipped year.
Well, the format of the race is also scheduled to change. cycling news He attended the brand’s recent official launch and press conference in Abu Dhabi, where details of the racing platform and championship format, including a new points-based system, were announced.
MyWhoosh has announced the all-new virtual world in which the Championship will be held, details of the qualifiers, and a breakdown of the new format and structure. This is explained in more detail below.
“MyWhoosh is proud to be at the forefront of the evolution of cycling esports,” said Akhtar Saeed Hashmi, CEO and Managing Director of MyWhoosh.
“Our commitment to innovation and inclusivity is at the forefront as we introduce a groundbreaking points-based format that accommodates athletes of all physiological characteristics. We are dedicated to changing the landscape of cycling esports.” ”
Hashmi also revealed changes to the size of the field and hinted at the qualification process, saying: “In a significant move, we reflect our broader strategy to drive global growth. and expand the semi-finals to accommodate over 150 riders. “Inclusiveness in cycling esports. A qualification pathway that combines national federation selection with MyWhoosh’s public qualification process ensures transparency and fairness.” It guarantees gender and opens the door to athletes around the world.”
Qualification acquisition route
A new host and platform for Esports Worlds means a revamped qualification pathway and race format.
Qualification for the Esports World Championship is divided into spots allocated to national federations, with each federation selecting its riders to race through its own means. The remaining 20% of his participants will be from the public qualification process. MyWhoosh says this two-way pathway will not only ensure a transparent and fair selection process for athletes, but will also facilitate access to the semi-finals. This should mean that strong (supposedly very strong) amateurs will have a chance to compete with the pros in the finals, similar to the Gravel World Championship.
At a press conference in Abu Dhabi, UCI’s Head of Roads and Innovation Michael Rogers said the UCI has reviewed the results of the past two Esports Worlds and will use the (outdoor) Road Worlds points system to get to the top. He said he did. There are 60 riders. This means that countries that have performed well over the past two years will be able to give more riders a place in the 2024 championship.
The UCI also said it wanted to participate with even more countries around the world and did not rule out the possibility of some wildcard entries in the championship, but whether Tadej Pogačar would be participating at the time we spoke I didn’t check with him at the event.
new race format
The 150 male and female riders who passed the qualifying rounds will compete in the semi-finals, which will be held in September in a two-race format. Racers will compete virtually around the world in the semi-finals before the live final in Abu Dhabi.
The first of the two semi-final races will be a nine kilometer lap race. Based on a point system, the top 80 participants in each race will advance to the second race. The second race will consist of four laps around a shorter four kilometer circuit. This narrows the number of participants to 20 men and 20 women.
After the semi-finals, 20 male and female riders and two wildcards per race will battle it out in a live grand finale in Abu Dhabi.
The final will be split into three races, which MyWhoosh said will require strategy and will be tailored to different riders. The finals will be held in a points race format. Points earned in each of the three races will determine the final result, but the exact point breakdown is not yet known. The rider with the highest total points score throughout the race will be crowned the 2024 UCI Esports World Champion.
Race 1 – Sprint
Riders run a 1.7km course for 15 minutes and record the fastest time in a 300m individual timed sprint. Live Timing His leaderboard allows riders to see their fastest time and choose whether to sprint again if necessary.
Interestingly, riders can attempt the sprint as many times as they like.
Race 2 – Strategy
The second race of the final will take place on a nine-kilometre circuit with approximately four minutes of climbing, and the focus will be on scoring points with three intermediate sprints per circuit. MyWhoosh says that strategy races are not about being the best climber, but that any athlete can win by accumulating the most points.
During the press conference, MyWhoosh’s race control and race event manager Matt Smithson explained that sprints will take place at the bottom of the climb and at the top of the climb, with two points awarded on the final finishing straight.
Race 3 – All Out
The final race will be held over four laps around a 4km circuit. Points are awarded at the top of each short, steep climb on each lap. Points are doubled at the finish line on the last lap. MyWhoosh believes the overall standings will be very close heading into this final race and should provide excitement all the way to the end.
The male and female rider with the highest total points at the end of the three races will be crowned World Champion.
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