Flats or climbs? Different tactics, same result in mountaintop esports finish

Ollie Jones and Carlee Taylor have produced unmatched performances to win round 3 of AusCycling’s elite esports series on Tuesday – with one attacking the climbs and the other on the flats.

Taking place on Zwift’s mountainous ‘WBR Climbing Series’ route, the 43-kilometre race featured 1,100 metres of altitude gain, including two ascents of Epic KOM and once up the famously steep radio tower climb.

Men – Kiwi attacks in the valley for third straight win

Riding for St George Continental, Ollie Jones extended his winning streak to three rounds in the 2022 AusCycling National Elite Teams Esports Series.

From a field of 14 starters, motorbike racer Troy Herfoss attacked on the first ascent of Epic KOM to take a lead of 25 seconds to the start of the radio tower segment.

However, that lead evaporated when a select group of four pushed up the steepest slopes, dropping Herfoss before starting the descent.

Those four were Jones and teammate Campbell Pithie, Torben Partridge-Madsen (CCS Cycling) and Sam Hill (Nero Continental).

Chasing behind were Ben Hill (CCS Cycling) and Kobe Henderson (Team Rauland). The duo used the flat roads between climbs to return to the front quartet.

Just as Hill and Henderson were approaching, Jones launched a decisive solo attack, just as he did in round 2. Not waiting for the final climb, the 2018 Zwift Academy winner quickly established a lead of 45 seconds as the group behind failed to coordinate a chase on the flats.

At the foot of the Epic KOM, Sam Hill struck out in pursuit of Jones, surging up to 7 watts per kilogram. Despite Hill’s efforts, Jones’ advantage never dropped below 40 seconds.

After 70 minutes of racing – long by esports standards – the Kiwi finished 1 minute and 19 seconds ahead of his nearest rival, averaging 5w/kg or 372 watts.

Lower down the mountain, Sam Hill was recaptured. Ben Hill proved quickest up the final steep slopes and took second ahead of his brother.

Women – former pro holds off climbing challenger

Carlee Taylor (InForm TMX Make) held off a tenacious Rose Vassel (StepFWD Cycling) to take a solo victory in the women’s race.

Taylor appeared to be the strongest on the first climb, cresting the radio tower with a 24-second lead on Vassel, who had been the only rider able to follow Taylor’s early accelerations.

However, Taylor could not maintain the advantage on the descent, and a front group of four reformed on the flat roads of Watopia Central.

Joining Taylor and Vassel were the Butterfields Racing duo of Ella Simpson and Katelyn Nicholson – the latter closing a 20-second gap by herself before the start of the final climb.

Carlee Taylor (right) proved the strongest climber of the women's race.

Having seen Taylor’s climbing form, Vassel decided offence was the best form of defence, and went on the attack on the lower slopes. Taylor was forced to bridge across and began setting a hard tempo at close to 5w/kg.

The duo remained together until, with 4km remaining, Vassel slowly began to lose contact.

On the live stream, Taylor could be seen keeping a steady tempo out of the saddle as she slowly eked out a gap of 20 seconds to a persistent Vassel.

Behind, Simpson had dropped her teammate Nicholson and was setting out in pursuit of the runner-up spot.

Nothing, however, could deny Taylor – an Australian representative on the road and now a Zwift employee – from combining her fitness with her mastery of the esports platform. The Adelaidean held on to win by 9 seconds ahead of Vassel, who had pressed on bravely to stay out of Simpson’s clutches.

The 2022 AusCycling National Elite Teams Esports Series concludes on July 19 with a much flatter kermesse on the Champs-Élysées.

Race replay

Results – AusCycling Elite Teams National Series – Round 3

Men

1. Ollie Jones (St George Continental)
2. Ben Hill (CCS Cycling)
3. Sam Hill (Nero Continental)

Women

1. Carlee Taylor (InForm TMX Make)
2. Rose Vassel (StepFWD Cycling)
3. Ella Simpson (Butterfields Racing Team)

Individual standings after Round 3

Men

1. Ollie Jones (St George Continental) - 753 points
2. Ben Hill (CCS Cycling) - 453 points
3. Sam Hill (Nero Continental) - 428 points

Women

1. Katelyn Nicholson (Butterfields Racing Team) - 453 points
2. Carlee Taylor (InForm TMX Make) - 402 points
3. Chelsea Holmes (InForm TMX Make) - 251 points

Team standings after Round 3

Men

1. St George Continental - 954 points
2. CCS Cycling - 888 points
3. Nero Continental - 516 points

Women

1. Butterfields Racing Team - 974 points
2. InForm TMX Make - 930 points

Full results are available on ZwiftPower for men and women.