AusCycling unveils multi-stage Zwift tour

Australian Zwifters will have the unique opportunity to compete in a first-of-its-kind stage race next week.

The AusCycling Esports Tour from Friday, 29 October to Sunday, 31 October will be the first AusCycling-sanctioned multi-stage tour on Zwift.

Most competitors will race in one of four grades for men and women, but the top domestic riders will vie for an exclusive prize in the Elite Men’s and Elite Women’s categories. Winners of the Elite races will unlock an exclusive green-and-gold AusCycling National Esports Jersey for their Zwift garage.

With three challenging stages on the cards, only the most complete rider will succeed in the general classification.

The AusCycling Esports Tour begins with a short individual time trial on Friday evening: an 8km Prologue on the Bologna course with its tough uphill finish.

On Saturday morning, you’ll take on the queen stage: a 34km road race on the “Muir and the Mountain” route, which includes the long ascent of the Epic KOM and a hilltop finish at Titans Grove.

The race concludes on the rolling 2015 UCI Road World Championship course from Richmond, USA.

Consistency will be key for the overall win, which will be decided by a points system.

“Zwift racing continues to boom in popularity among AusCycling members, and it’s been especially welcome during the latest lockdowns in some parts of Australia” said Adam Power, Event Operations Manager at AusCycling.

“After the success of the National Club Esports Series this month, this inaugural AusCycling Esports Tour will act as a grand finale to our virtual season,” he said.

“The new tour format is exciting and different. I’m looking forward to seeing what Australia’s Zwifters can produce across three back-to-back days.”

AusCycling will consider performances in the Elite categories towards selection for the 2022 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.

All riders who registered for the most recent AusCycling National Club Esports Series are automatically registered for the tour. To register individually for A–D grades, complete the Individual Entry Form. To register for the Elite grade, complete the Elite Entry Form. Entries close strictly 5:00PM Thursday, 28 October.

For more details and technical regulations, visit the AusCycling Esports Tour page.

AUSCYCLING ESPORTS TOUR

Stage 1 — 6:30pm AEDT, Friday 29th October

Bologna / Time Trial Lap – 1 lap, 8km (Individual Time Trial)

Stage 2 — 9:00am AEDT, Saturday 30th October

Watopia / Muir and the Mountain – 1 lap, 34km (Road Race)

Stage 3 — 9:00am AEDT, Sunday 31st October

Richmond / 2015 UCI Worlds Course – 2 laps, 34km (Road Race)