In Episode 62 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Emma and Chris sit down with elite cycling esports superstar Gabi Guerra to uncover her journey from a humble upbringing in Brazil to competing on the global stage.

Gabi shares how skateboarding first sparked her passion for elite sports and paved the way for her to champion women’s representation. We explore her unexpected leap into competitive cycling, fueled by a chance encounter at a bike shop, and her eventual rise to esports prominence after discovering Zwift on a spin bike.

We dive deep into her nail-biting performance at the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship, the heartbreak of falling just short, and the resilience it took to bounce back with a shocking solo victory in the Zwift World Series—only to face another round of controversy.

Gabi opens up about the emotional highs and lows, the scrutiny of evolving esports regulations, a puzzling performance verification decision that led to an unexpected annulment, and the fierce rivalries that define the sport. From prize money milestones to her new role as a live coach on MyWhoosh, Gabi is shaping the future of cycling esports while inspiring a community with her authenticity and grit.

What’s next for Gabi Guerra, and how does she plan to keep pushing the boundaries of the sport in 2025? Tune in to find out!

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode. We’ve curated a selection of articles that inspired our conversation, providing exclusive insights.

• Get to Know Zwift Grand Prix 2023/24 Elite Esports Cyclist Gabriela Guerra [Zommunique, Feb. 12, 2024]
• Germany’s Jason Osborne and New Zealand’s Mary Kate McCarthy Win the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship [Zommunique, Oct. 27, 2024]
• Extreme Dieting in Virtual Cycling—Where Zwift Needs to Go Next, and Why [Zommunique, March 23, 2022]
• Zwift Postpones Elite Racing Season Due to Smart Trainer Accuracy Concerns [Zommunique, Dec 4, 2024]

Join us for a conversational ride where we not only lend a voice to the digital athlete but also bridge the gap between athlete and avatar. We invite you to be part of this exciting exploration of the future of virtual sport and digital athlete engagement!

In Episode 61 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Emma and Chris welcome NeXT eSports pb Enshored cycling team president Greg Abbott. The results for Abbott and his team of elite global talent are undeniable—multiple Zwift elite team titles, several national esports champions, and numerous UCI Cycling Esports World Championship finalists with top-ten placings.

Abbott opens up about the philosophy and inner workings behind his team’s success and what sets them apart as one of the leading forces in cycling esports.

How does the team balance optimizing performance with ensuring rider safety, advocacy, and setting industry standards? And how are they building a business foundation that attracts sponsorships and drives the sport’s growth? What challenges does the team face, and how do they overcome them?

Join us as we dive into these topics and more, wrapping up 2024 with insights into the evolving world of cycling esports.

Plus, stay tuned for some exciting changes coming to the MyWhoosh Sunday Race Club in 2025!

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode. We’ve curated a selection of articles that inspired our conversation, providing you with exclusive insights.

• USA Cycling Crowns 23 National Champions at the 2024 Esports National Championships [Zommunique, Jan 9, 2024]
• The NeXT Big Thing in Elite Women’s Cycling Esports [Zommunique, June 16, 2023]
• 2024/25 Echelon Racing League [Zommunique, Dec, 2024]
• 2024/25 Restart Invitational Elite Cycling Esports Series on Zwift Begins December 14th [Zommunique, Dec 1, 2024]
• Zwift Postpones Elite Racing Season Due to Smart Trainer Accuracy Concerns [Zommunique, Dec 4, 2024]
• Zwift Reveals 2024/25 Elite Community Racing Season Plans [Zommunique, June 24, 2024]

Join us for a conversational ride where we not only lend a voice to the digital athlete but also bridge the gap between athlete and avatar. We invite you to be part of this exciting exploration of the future of virtual sport and digital athlete engagement!

In Episode 60 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris welcomes cycling journalist Aaron Borrill, an elite racer who has competed in multiple UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.

Aaron discusses his role as Captain of the South African Esports National Team, the innovative ways Cycling South Africa supports cycling esports, and how their approach could inspire a roadmap for the future of competitive virtual cycling.

Aaron lends his unique perspective as a racer and award-winning tech editor of off-road.cc to the emotional topic facing the cycling esports community—Zwift’s postponement of the elite Zwift World Series season due to smart trainer accuracy issues.

Chris has sought clarification from Zwift on key aspects of their recent decision that have puzzled many in the community. In their discussion, they also addressed the subsequent statements from Wahoo and MyWhoosh, analyzing the implications on the cycling esports landscape.

Correction: The IOC did not discuss the Olympic Esports Games during the December 5th Executive Board Session as anticipated, leaving us to temper our enthusiasm for a bit longer. However, the discussion on the potential qualification system, format, and game-changing impact on cycling esports was too compelling to exclude, so we’ve included it in this episode of the Virtual Velo Podcast.

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode. We’ve curated a selection of articles that inspired our conversation, providing you with exclusive insights.

• Extreme Dieting in Virtual Cycling, Parts 1 to 3 [ZwiftInsider, March 4, 2021]
• Extreme Dieting in Virtual Cycling: Changes to the Zwift Esports Ruleset [ZwiftInsider, March 30, 2021]
• Zwift Ventures Down a New Performance Verification Path For 2024/25 Community Elite Racing Season With Future Implications [Zommunique, Aug 15, 2024]
• Zwift Postpones Elite Racing Season Due to Smart Trainer Accuracy Concerns [Zommunique, Dec 4, 2024]
• Zwift Reveals 2024/25 Elite Community Racing Season Plans [Zommunique, June 24, 2024]
• Early Details Reveal Key Zwift Games Changes for 2025 [Nov 26, 2024]

Join us for a conversational ride where we not only lend a voice to the digital athlete but also bridge the gap between athlete and avatar. We invite you to be part of this exciting exploration of the future of virtual sport and digital athlete engagement!