Australian squad for 2023 Cycling Esports World Championships

Twelve riders will represent Australia at a revamped third edition of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.

AusCycling has announced the athletes who will wear green and gold (virtually and in real life) to contest the world titles on Zwift next February.

Men

In the men’s event, Jay Vine will return as defending champion alongside four teammates who helped deliver him to the world title, including silver medallist Freddy Ovett.

Ben Hill, Sam Hill and Torben Partridge-Madsen also return from the 2022 squad.

The men’s team is rounded out by Tasmanian debutant Josh Harris, who along with Partridge-Madsen qualified via the Continental Qualifiers last month.*

Women

Representing Australia for the third time will be Bre Vine, Justine Barrow and Vicki Whitelaw, who will have ridden in every UCI Cycling Esports World Championships since its inception.

They will be joined by Katie Banerjee, who returns from the 2022 squad; Imogen Alton, a Zwift Academy finalist; and Rose Vassel, who makes her debut after impressing during the AusCycling Club National Esports Series.

“I am honoured to represent Australia for the third time,” Barrow said soon after winning the Spirit of Tasmania Cycling Tour on the road.

“Australia has a strong team with a good breadth of esports cycling talent. I believe that we can be very competitive and will be vying for that World Championship title.”

Unlike previous World Championships, which were one-off scratch races, these world titles will consist of an elimination format across three back-to-back races. The rainbow jersey will be decided in a punchy circuit race where the last rider through each intermediate sprint will be removed from the race.

“I believe the three-race format for this year's championships adds some more excitement for the viewers and will reward more tactical and team-based racing,” Barrow said.

“Personally, I hope to get through the first two rounds and be there to support my teammates in the final round, which I expect will suit a sprinter-type athlete. I can't wait!”

The UCI Cycling Esports World Championships are a unique, virtual event where riders across the globe race each other in real time by using stationary trainers connected to Zwift.

Australia has medalled at both editions held so far. Sarah Gigante won silver in 2020, before Jay Vine and Freddy Ovett’s one-two this year.

The 2023 championships will be held on February 18.

Australia – 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

Men

Jay Vine (ACT) – 2022 UCI World Champion
Josh Harris (TAS)
Ben Hill (ACT)
Sam Hill (NSW)
Freddy Ovett (QLD)
Torben Partridge-Madsen (ACT)

Women

Imogen Alton (QLD)
Katie Banerjee (NSW)
Justine Barrow (VIC)
Rose Vassel (NSW)
Bre Vine (ACT)
Vicki Whitelaw (ACT)

*Although Zwift announced that Kyle Marwood achieved a result necessary to earn a qualification spot via the Continental Qualifiers, his result was not ratified by Zwift and the UCI.