Bonus sprints spice up AusCycling Club Esports Series round 7

The addition of intermediate sprints has added an extra level of entertainment to the second half of AusCycling’s club esports series.

Last Thursday, the 2022 AusCycling National Club Cycling Esports Series restarted with round 7 after a three-month break.

Thanks to the ongoing partnership between AusCycling and Zwift, the remaining events of the series included three innovations.

First, the races were held as private Zwift events, eliminating the influence of outside riders.

Second, the live streams included rider cams, allowing viewers to see the real effort of the competitors in their homes.

Third, and most significant, was a change to the race format.

While rounds 1–6 took the form of simple scratch races, rounds 7–12 are more complex points races, with up to 20 points awarded for the fastest riders on each intermediate sprint and hill climb segment (fastest timed segment, scoring down to 2 points for 10th place).

Round 7 took place over to laps of the flat 'Sprinters Playground' course on Zwift's Makuri Islands.

Series leaders Waratah Masters Cycling Club adapted well to the new format, with WMZau founder Brett McMurtrie leading the charge by winning Men’s C. The Sydney-based club also reaped an impressive harvest of points by placing five rider sin the Men’s B top 10, while Olympian Julie Speight picked up the runner-up spot in Women's D.

Bathurst Cycling Club further consolidated their second-place position, helped by strong contributions from the likes of Jenn Arnold (Women’s B), Alex Banner (Women’s C), David Nicholas (Men’s C) and Rhy Baker (Men’s D).

Randwick Cycling Club continues to do well especially in the women’s races, where Marjan McGarry, Valen Paniagua (Women’s A) and Audrey Braun (Women’s B) kept up the run of strong results.

The series continues with round 8 this Thursday on Figure 8 Reverse, which features two intermediate sprints and two hill climb segments.

Replay

For standings, information and how to register, visit the AusCycling National Club Cycling Esports Series page.