Uci And Zwift To Launch Inaugural Cycling Esports World Championship

The UCI has announced that it has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with online cycling platform Zwift which is set to see the launch of an inaugural UCI Esports World Championships in 2020, to be held on the Zwift platform.

World cycling’s governing body says that the partnership with Zwift would cover the ‘governance and development of cycling esports as a new cycling discipline,’ and will ensure that the competitions meet the UCI’s standards of sporting integrity and fairness.

As part of the MoU, Zwift and the UCI will establish a hardware programme that can be used at UCI-sanctioned events, a ‘performance verification programme’ to fight against technological fraud, and a new rider identification system.

David Lappartient President, UCI, said: “Cycling esports is a fantastic opportunity for the development of cycling. It is a new way of practising cycling that is expanding rapidly and enables more athletes, whether beginners or more experienced, to train and race regardless of what the weather is like and where they live. The Memorandum of Understanding between our Federation and Zwift is a decisive step towards the total integration of cycling esports by the UCI.”

Craig Edmondson, CEO Esports, Zwift, said: “Earlier this year, we stated our ambition to develop an esports platform, but I think it’s much more than that. We are looking to establish a new approach to the sport. This partnership is a significant leap forward in that journey. We are at the very beginning of a long and exciting roadmap here at Zwift as we look to establish a new and innovative cycling discipline.”

Earlier this month, the online cycling platform furthered its pursuit of inclusion in the cycling programme at the Olympic Games with the hiring of Philippe Bourdarias, formerly of World Rugby where Zwift says he had experience in the successful campaign to bring Rugby Sevens into the Games.