UCI reboots Zwift World Championships with punchy hills, elimination races and live streaming
2023 championships to consist of three key events: The Punch, The Climb and The Podium
The UCI and Zwift have unveiled a radical overhaul of the format for the e-sports World Championships, which are due to be held on 18 February next year.
Previous e-sports World Championships have consisted of a single race for glory but now three main events over three separate course now make up the competition with riders falling out of contention at every stage.
Organisers expect the racing to be short and explosive.
Events will be the same in both the male and female categories and the two fields will consist of 100 riders who have all now qualified for the championships.
The Punch, will see the 100 riders start a short 13.8 kilometre race on rolling, punchy terrain.
This first event will be crucial to the rest of the championships, as only the top 30 riders will then qualify for the next race. Any riders finishing outside the top 30 will then be eliminated from racing.
Part two of the championships will see the remaining riders start The Climb. This is another short race consisting of several hill repetitions - 8.5 kilometres in length with 162 metres of elevation gain. Only the top 10 riders in each category will then progress to The Podium.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The Podium will take place on the last of the three new circuits containing short, challenging climbs, and will see riders fighting for position, as one rider is eliminated through each archway until three riders remain. These riders will then battle it out to the finish in a bid to win the title of UCI World Champion.
The continental qualifiers for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will take place this weekend on Zwift.
These qualifying events will see the men's and women's peloton compete for the 25 qualifying places for each gender to represent their country at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.
Last year, Loes Adegeest earned a place on the Dutch national team through the continental qualifiers. She then pulled off a surprise win at the 2022 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships after dropping reigning UCI World Champion Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (RSA) on the steep final climb.
All of the qualifying races take place this weekend and will be shown live on Zwift’s YouTube channel.
On the design of the upcoming championships, UCI President David Lappartient said: “The new format for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships is in line with our desire to continue innovating and increasing the appeal of our sport.
"Our first two UCI World Championships for cycling esports were a great success, and now we have increased the excitement with three separate events that will gradually eliminate members of the peloton”.
Zwift CEO Eric Min said that he hopes the championships will help uncover more global cycling talent.
“Together with the UCI, we’re thrilled to continue our innovation in cycling esports with this new multi-event format. Both riders and spectators will have an opportunity to experience this new format this weekend with the UCI Continental Qualification races. The racing is going to be fast-paced and tactical. I hope that we may once again unearth some hidden talent here,” he said.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Tom has been writing for Cycling Weekly since 2022 and his news stories, rider interviews and features appear both online and in the magazine.
Since joining the team, he has reported from some of professional cycling's biggest races and events including the Tour de France and the World Championships in Glasgow. He has also covered major races elsewhere across the world. As well as on the ground reporting, Tom writes race reports from the men's and women's WorldTour and focuses on coverage of UK domestic cycling.
-
Knog Blinder 1300 review - excellent visibility for you and other road users
Solid performance, great mounting options and a respectable price point make the Blinder a great competitor for long nights this winter
By Joe Baker Published
-
Everything you want to know about the Q Factor
What it is and why it matters, how to measure it, what the Q stands for, and more
By Tyler Boucher Published
-
'It's not a deal-breaker if you can't hit super-high power': 6 tips from an indoor racing expert
Here's what makes Lou Bates one of Great Britain's indoor cycling stars
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Most cyclists dread ramp tests - but I can't get enough
There's real pleasure in self-inflicted virtual riding pain
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Zwift introduces Racing Score to make platform 'more competitive, fairer and accessible'
Zwift says new ranking system will reflect both fitness level and racing skill
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Zwift celebrates 10 years of ‘Ride On’ with mystery Tour of Watopia stage
Even after 10 years, not all of Watopia has been revealed, but it will be on November 12 as part of the 2024 Tour of Watopia.
By Kristin Jenny Published
-
Zwift launches new roads, more display options and greater compatibility for Zwift Ride smart frame in 10-year anniversary overhaul
The upgrades also include new heads-up display and hardware compatibility improvements
By James Shrubsall Published
-
Zwift extends sponsorship of Tour de France Femmes: 'It is an absolute, clear, undeniable success'
In an exclusive interview, Zwift reveals how investing in women’s cycling benefits both the sport and its bottom line
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Zwift's Watopia expands again with new climb
The Grade Climb, and 'My List' feature among new updates announced
By Adam Becket Published
-
I've packed away my Zwift trainer - it's farewell until winter
We'll meet again, indoor cycling, but summer is for the outdoors
By Tom Davidson Published