Elimination races to decide UCI Cycling Esports World Champions

Zwift has announced that it will once again host the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships – but this time, there’s a novel twist in the race for rainbows.

While the first two editions were simple scratch races, next February’s event will use a new elimination format over three races.

A new World Championship formula

Zwift has confirmed some details about the new World Championship format, although it’s still to be finalised:

• Race 1 (100 starters): scratch race, top 30 progress;
• Race 2 (30 starters): scratch race, top 13 progress;
• Race 3 (13 starters): elimination race.

Starting with 100 competitors, the first race in the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will be a scratch race over a rolling route of about 14.5 kilometres. Only the top 30 riders will qualify for the second race, while the rest are eliminated.

Race two is another scratch race, but on a hill climb of about 8.8km. This time, only 13 riders will qualify for the final race, with the others eliminated.

Finally, the rainbow jerseys will be decided in race three, which will be an elimination race on a short, punchy circuit. The last rider through each sprint point will be removed from the race until just three remain to contest the medals between them at the final sprint.

These races will be held on a yet-to-be-released custom course on Zwift.

The new format – which clearly draws inspiration from track cycling – is an interesting move by Zwift and the UCI, one that befits the potential of cycling esports to be the most modern, innovative discipline of the sport.

While the previous two World Championships copy-pasted a road race into the digital environment, next year’s event will have a uniquely ‘esports’ flavour. It’s the next phase of evolving beyond being just an indoor version of traditional racing.

The return of Continental Qualifiers

In each of the men’s and women’s events, 75 of the 100 starters will be selected by their national federations, as is typical for any UCI World Championships.

However, unique to esports, the remaining 25 places will be occupied by riders who qualify through the Continental Qualifiers to be held on November 12–13.

The Continental Qualifier system was introduced last year to offer a chance for untapped, hidden talent to earn a spot on cycling esports’ biggest stage. In theory, any rider around the world has a chance to race these UCI World Championships.

The number of places available will differ according to region.

Like the World Championships themselves, the Continental Qualifiers will introduce a new three-race format.

The first two races will be scratch races, where a certain number of competitors will progress to the next race (the exact number differs from region to region, depending on the number of starters and the number of qualification spots available).

The last race will be a ‘win and out’ elimination race. There will be multiple intermediate sprint points throughout the race. If you win any sprint, you’ll instantly qualify for the World Championships; there’s no need to continue the race. The sprints will continue until all the spots have been filled.

Continental qualifiers:

• Race 1: scratch race, riders eliminated;
• Race 2: scratch race, more riders eliminated;
• Race 3: 'win and out' race.

This third race will lead to exciting (and nerve-wracking) tactics: go all-in on the first sprint, with the risk that if you miss out, you’ll be too tired for the latter sprints? Or forgo the early sprints entirely, waiting for others to get tired before firing your shot?

For more details on how to qualify through the Continental Qualifiers, read Zwift’s in-depth guide.

About the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

The 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will take place on February 18, 2023.

Earlier this year, Canberra’s Jay Vine won the men’s 2022 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships after an outstanding Australian performance.

The winner receives the iconic rainbow jersey (physical and digital) of UCI World Champion.

In 2023, the top three placegetters will also win prize money of €8,000, €4,000 and €2,000 respectively.