2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships by MyWhoosh

A New Era of Esports Racing Heads to Abu Dhabi

The world’s best virtual cyclists will converge once again on Abu Dhabi this November as MyWhoosh hosts the 5th edition of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. The Grand Final, taking place on 15 November 2025 at the Space 42 Arena, promises a new level of intensity – both in competition and innovation.

A Fresh Format: Points, Not Time

This year’s event introduces a unique grading system that rewards riders with points for being among the first to cross each segment line. It’s a major departure from the time-based format used in previous editions and is designed to encourage aggressive, tactical racing throughout each stage rather than just at the finish.

Qualification Pathways

Around 30 national cycling federations will compete for the honour of seeing one of their riders crowned Cycling Esports World Champion. In total, 300 riders, – split evenly between men and women – will take part in the semi-finals, which will be contested virtually.

• 70% of the semi-final spots are filled via National Federation qualifiers, where each federation nominates its top representatives.
• The remaining 30% are earned through public open qualifiers organised by MyWhoosh.

From there, up to 150 men and 150 women will race for a coveted place in the Grand Final. The top 20 riders from each category will qualify for the live showdown in Abu Dhabi, joined by select wildcard entrants.

Race Format: Three Stages of Pure Esports Drama

Both the semi-finals and finals will consist of three stages, testing different cycling profiles — from climbers to sprinters.

Stage 1: Last Rider Standing

An elimination epic set on an 8.2 km climb featuring 554 metres of elevation gain. Riders start together, two minutes ahead of the Pacemaker (the Chaser) – a virtual opponent maintaining a steady power output. Any rider caught by the Chaser is instantly eliminated. The aim? Stay ahead for as long as possible.

Each rider earns one point for every five seconds they remain in front of the Chaser – meaning both endurance and pacing strategy are crucial.

Stage 2: Punchers’ Playground

A twelve kilometre course filled with short, sharp climbs and sprint sections – perfect for riders who thrive on repeated explosive efforts. There are two intermediate sprint zones and two KOM segments, all offering valuable points.

With positioning and timing key, expect fireworks as riders battle to maximise every opportunity before the decisive final sprint.

Stage 3: Sprinter’s Paradise

Eight laps around a 1.5 km high-speed circuit will test leg speed and nerves. Each of the first seven laps awards points to the top twenty riders, ranging from 20 points for first to 1 point for twentieth. The final lap carries extra points, setting up a high-stakes finale where championship hopes can shift in a single sprint.

Cumulative Scoring & Advancement

Points from all three stages will determine each rider’s ranking.

• In the semi-finals, cumulative totals decide the top twenty men and top twenty women who advance to Abu Dhabi.
• In the Grand Final, the same principle crowns the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Champions.

Verification: The MyWhoosh Power Passport

Integrity and fairness remain central to MyWhoosh’s esports ecosystem. Every athlete must complete MyWhoosh’s independent verification process and hold a valid Power Passport to compete.

The Power Passport – a 60-minute performance assessment found in the MyWhoosh workouts section – ensures that in-race performance aligns with verified physiological data. Unlike traditional FTP tests, this dynamic evaluation includes multiple challenges to validate riders’ capabilities and prevent artificial power spikes. Only verified athletes can enter competitive events, including the UCI Esports Worlds.

What to Expect in Abu Dhabi

With its blend of elite competition and technological spectacle, the 2025 edition looks set to be the most advanced yet. Fans attending the Space 42 Arena can look forward to live commentary, on-screen analytics, and the electric atmosphere of esports athletes competing head-to-head in front of an audience.

For global viewers, streaming will be available via MyWhoosh, UCI channels, and social platforms including YouTube and Twitch, offering real-time stats and course visuals.

A Digital Revolution on Two Wheels

The 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships mark another leap in the evolution of cycling – merging physical performance with virtual precision. As the line between digital and traditional racing continues to blur, Abu Dhabi is once again set to showcase the sport’s future.

15 November. Space 42 Arena. One Champion. Infinite Watts.

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