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!

In Episode 59 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Eric Hill, founder of Project Echelon Racing and Echelon Racing Promotions. Eric has been a visionary in blending traditional cycling with virtual racing, supporting the sport and the veteran community through his groundbreaking initiatives.

In this episode, we’ll dive into Project Echelon’s mission and its impact on cycling and veterans, explore Eric’s early adoption of cycling esports as a distinct discipline, and hear about his plans for the 2024/25 Echelon Racing League season.

From the race schedule and prize purse to its potential role in qualifying for the 2025 USA Cycling Esports Nationals, there’s a lot for racers and fans to get excited about.

We’ll also discuss Eric’s move to MyWhoosh as the platform of choice for the upcoming season, his thoughts on performance verification, and how he plans to address athlete concerns about adapting to new technologies. Plus, he’ll share details about an exciting new partnership with indieVelo—now Training Peaks Virtual.

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.

• Wahoo RGT and Project Echelon Introduce Trikes For Disabled Virtual Cyclists [Zommunique, Dec. 12, 2022]
• One of The Most Momentous Events in Virtual Cycling Recently Took Place, and Not Enough of Us Are Aware, But We All Should Be! [Zommunique, Feb, 7, 2022]
• Why introducing handcycles is Zwift’s most important update so far [Cycling Weekly, Oct. 10, 2022]
• RGT leads the charge for inclusion of disabled athletes in virtual cycling [CyclingNews, Feb. 7, 2022]

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 58 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Dirk Friel, co-founder and Chief Evangelist of Training Peaks, and Dr. George Gilbert, the creator of indieVelo, to discuss their newly formed partnership and the launch of Training Peaks Virtual. The collaboration combines indieVelo’s innovative approach to virtual cycling and esports with Training Peaks’ well-established focus on athlete training and performance.

In this episode, they explore the motivations behind the partnership, its benefits for both indieVelo users and Training Peaks subscribers, and how the two platforms align philosophically.

We’ll also examine what this means for the future of virtual cycling—particularly for elite athletes—and discuss the challenges and opportunities this integration presents.

Has anything changed? Is it another RGT-Wahoo situation?

Whether you’re an esports competitor, a dedicated indieVelo user, or a longtime Training Peaks subscriber, this discussion offers valuable insights into the evolution of virtual cycling and training directly from the two main players.

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.

• New Virtual Cycling Platform indieVelo is Defining the Future of Esports [Zommunique, June 6, 2023]
• Cycling Esports Platform indieVelo Moves to Open Beta—What it Means For Virtual Cycling Users [Zommunique, June 30, 2024]
• Meet indieVelo — Everything you need to know about virtual cycling’s newest platform [Cycling Weekly, Aug. 17, 2023]
• New indoor cycling app launched by former Chairman of the Zwift Esports Commission [CyclingNews, June 10, 2023]

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 57 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma sit down with cycling esports’ new women’s World Champion, New Zealand's Kate McCarthy, for her first interview since her thrilling victory in the live finals in Abu Dhabi.

McCarthy, the only community racer to conquer the elite esports stage, opens up about the emotional rollercoaster leading to her title: missed flights, lost bikes, and a journey to reclaim her reputation after an unexpected and untimely annulment isolated her from her peers. With no option but to prove herself on the pixelated parcours, she found the mental edge that put her in the zone and over the top.

From weigh-in procedures to anti-doping protocols and race-day tactics, McCarthy shares it all, including the answer to the burning question: Did she sleep in her Rainbow Jersey?

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.

• Germany’s Jason Osborne and New Zealand’s Mary Kate McCarthy Win the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship [Zommunique, Oct. 27, 2024]
• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports Finalists Punch Their Tickets to the Live Event in Abu Dhabi [Zommunique, Sept. 9, 2024]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 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 56 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, host Chris catches up with Jacob Fraser from the UCI and Matt Smithson from MyWhoosh in Abu Dhabi as they gear up for the groundbreaking 2024 UCI Cycling Esports live event final. Set against the stunning backdrop of Abu Dhabi, this episode is essential listening for any cycling esports fan or enthusiast as they prepare for the thrilling action on Saturday, October 26th.

Join Chris, Jacob, and Matt as they delve into the live event venue details and discuss how cutting-edge data visualization enhances athlete and fan engagement. They highlight what’s set to wow the fans this year, including innovative technologies and unique experiences that promise to elevate the live event atmosphere.

The conversation also touches on crucial aspects of athlete safety and integrity, including anti-doping controls and weigh-in protocols, which ensure a fair competition for all participants, as well as the smart trainer and stage positioning procedures.

As the UCI and MyWhoosh look to the future, they share insights on potential event date changes for upcoming World Championships, and what defines success in their eyes. They also explore the immediate post-Worlds landscape for cycling esports and discuss ambitious plans for legitimizing and professionalizing the sport, especially with the Olympic horizon in view.

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.

• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports Finalists Punch Their Tickets to the Live Event in Abu Dhabi [Zommunique, Sept. 9, 2024]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 2024]
• Cycling Esports Will Be In The Olympics, But Is The Foundation Strong Enough? [Zommunique, Aug. 12, 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 55 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma have a candid conversation with Olympic medalist rower turned WorldTour Pro Jason Osborne. In a heartfelt conversation, Osborne reveals that he’s happier now that he stepped away from Alpecin Deceuninck, free of the burdens of being enslaved by a joyless sport that is no longer worth the risk-reward to him.

He shares how stepping away from the grind of traditional road racing to focus on cycling esports has brought him a newfound life balance—something he felt was missing during his time in the pro peloton.

Osborne reflects on his journey, including a memorable incident where he clashed with another rider over the label of being the “Zwift guy.” He also candidly discusses the financial aspects of his career, revealing whether he makes more on MyWhoosh or from his road contract.

With an impressive record of never finishing off the podium at the World Championships, he embraces the thrill of live finals and the pressure that comes with them and says, “I don’t expect any surprises.”

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.

• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports Finalists Punch Their Tickets to the Live Event in Abu Dhabi [Zommunique, Sept. 9, 2024]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 2024]
• Cycling Esports Will Be In The Olympics, But Is The Foundation Strong Enough? [Zommunique, Aug. 12, 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!