Preview: UCI Esports World Championships in Abu Dhabi

All three of last year’s men’s podium finishers: Jason Osborne (first), Lionel Vujasin (second) and Kasper Borremans (third) are back in Abu Dhabi. Photo: UCI

This Saturday (November 15), 22 men and 22 women will compete at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships in Abu Dhabi. This is the second year (of a three year cycle) that the live, in-person event will take place in Abu Dhabi (where MyWhoosh was founded in 2019), and the final will be broadcast live. Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming race:

Qualification

The live, in-person racing includes riders from 16 different countries who earned their spots through a competitive semi-final race held on October 3. That race included 123 women and 134 men who were either chosen by their federations, or had earned a chance to compete through qualifying races on the MyWhoosh platform. The top 20 from the semi-final qualified for the final in Abu Dhabi, with an additional two spots going to wild card athletes named by the UCI.

Competitors

The two defending champions, Germany’s Jason Osborne and New Zealand’s Mary Kate McCarthy are back after winning the semi-finals. Neither will have an easy go at defending their titles – Osborne’s competition includes both men who joined him on the podium last year – Belgium’s Lionel Vujasin and Finland’s Kasper Borremans. McCarthy will be taking on last year’s silver medalist, Gabriela Guerra from Brazil.

Triathlon fans will likely recognize a couple of names on the women’s start list – German pro Merle Brunnée and American Elyse Gallegos.

Brunnée took third at IRONMAN Lanzarote in May and was 29th in Kona. (She finished 14th at the women’s IRONMAN World Championship Nice last year.)

Gallegos, who is a member of the Slowtwitch/ Goodlife Racing Team, is a six-time IRONMAN World Championship qualifier who finished 12th in the women’s 35 to 39 age group on the Big Island last month. The mother of two somehow managed to balance her IRONMAN training with the intensity required for the Esports semi-finals.

“I’m feeling good,” she wrote in a message yesterday after arriving in Abu Dhabi. “Traveling and watching what I eat is the most challenging part as we have to weigh in prior to the race as well as pass a hydration test.”

“Workouts have been (on) the opposite side of the spectrum as IRONMAN training as possible,” she continued. “Lots of 40 second/ 20 second efforts, or 15 second sprints back to back,, but I’m hitting my numbers and even setting new personal bests along the way.”

You can see the full start lists here.

The Races

The world championships consists of three stages on the MyWhoosh platform. Athletes will earn points through each stage, with the rider with the most points taking the title. Here’s how the UCI and MyWhoosh described the three courses in a press release earlier this week:

Stage 1: The Mountain’s Verdict

The opening race challenges riders on a relentless virtual climb, testing endurance and pacing over the 8km course with gradients increasing up to 20%. In this stage, riders earn points for every five seconds they remain ahead of the chase line, with points scoring starting two minutes after the race begins.  A rider is eliminated immediately if the chase line catches up to them. Consistency, strategy, and climbing strength will determine who survives the mountain’s verdict, gaining the maximum points.

Stage 2: The Puncher’s Playground

The second race takes place on a 12km undulating circuit featuring sharp climbs and fast descents, perfectly suited to explosive riders. Points are awarded across a combination of two sprint and two climb checkpoints, with additional points on the finish line – rewarding those who can time their efforts and manage repeated bursts of power. It won’t be enough to simply dominate one section of the course; riders will need to collect points throughout to stay in contention, making this a true test of versatility and race craft.

Stage 3: The Sprinter’s Paradise

The final race unfolds over eight laps of a fast, flat 1.5km circuit designed for pure speed and tactical precision. Points are awarded at the end of each lap, with double points available at the finish, ensuring the competition remains exciting until the end. Every lap offers an opportunity to score, meaning riders must balance consistency with explosive finishing power. Spectators can expect tight sprints, split-second strategy, and a dramatic dash for the rainbow jersey as the competition reaches its climax.

Equipment

The riders will be on their own bikes and will race on Elite Just 2 smart trainers that have been “tested and verified by the UCI to ensure fairness and accuracy throughout the competition.”

How to Watch

The racing will be broadcast live on both the UCI and MyWhoosh YouTube channels. The coverage starts at 4:45 pm local time (1:45 pm CET/ 7:45 am EST), with the women’s racing getting started at 6 pm local time (3 pm CET/ 9 am EST). The men’s race starts at 8 pm local time (5 pm CET/ 11 am EST).

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