Freddy Ovett 6th for Australia at Esports Worlds

Freddy Ovett has placed sixth for Australia in the elimination-style finale of the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.

In the first race of the men’s event, Australia placed three riders among the top 30 who qualified for the second round. Ovett, who won the silver medal in 2022, progressed alongside Kyle Marwood and Ben Hill, who both scraped through in 29th and 30th respectively after a bunch sprint.

The second race, ‘The Climb’, featured three repeats of the Sgurr climb on Zwift’s Scotland map. It finished in an uphill sprint, where Ovett looked strong to place fourth as Australia’s sole qualifier for the last race.

With three Danes and two Germans in the 10-man elimination final, it was a tactical game of numbers, with Ovett remaining in the bunch as Denmark’s Bjørn Andreassen launched an early solo attack.

Ovett looked comfortable in the early sprints, but when it came down to the last six riders, he was forced to spend energy to close a split and was unable to avoid elimination in the subsequent sprint.

Andreassen held on to win the World Championship, with Germany’s Jason Osborne and Marc Mäding rounding out the podium.

In the women’s event, Vicki Whitelaw was Australia’s sole qualifier for the second race, scraping through narrowly by finishing 30th in the opening bunch sprint.

The Canberran was placed well on the first two ascents of the Sgurr, but was unable to match the pace on the final climb, finishing outside the top 10.

Dutchwoman Loes Adegeest defended her world title, winning the final race ahead of Zoe Langham (Great Britain) and Jacquie Godbe (USA).

The result brings an end to Australia’s medal streak in the event, having won silver with Sarah Gigante in 2020 and taken a one-two in 2022 with Jay Vine and Ovett.

Results – 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships

Men

1. Bjørn Andreassen (Denmark)
2. Jason Osborne (Germany)
3. Marc Mäding (Germany)

6. Freddy Ovett (Australia)

Ben Hill (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 2
Kyle Marwood (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 2
Josh Harris (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 1
Torben Partridge-Madsen (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 1
Sam Hill (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 1

Women

1. Loes Adegeest (Netherlands)
2. Zoe Langham (Great Britain)
3. Jacquie Godbe (USA)

Vicki Whitelaw (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 2
Justine Barrow (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 1
Imogen Alton (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 1
Rose Vassel (Australia) – Eliminated Rd 1