On the eve of the second edition of these UCI World Championships, we hear from UCI President David Lappartient, newly elected to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Chair of the IOC Esports and Gaming Liaison Group since 2018.
What are your sentiments as we prepare for the second edition of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships?
David Lappartient: I am very excited. The creation of these UCI Cycling Esports World Championships was one of the elements of my Agenda 2020 when I was first elected President of the UCI.
The first edition, in December 2020, was a great success. The two winners were Ashleigh Moolman Pasio, one of the best athletes in the world, and Jason Osborne, a rower who nobody in cycling had ever heard of. Following his victory, Osborne was offered a contract with Deceuninck -– Quick- Step. It’s an incredible story.
On the one hand a very well-known athlete from South Africa and on the other hand a new name from Germany, who ends up with a contract with the best team in the world. That’s the sort of story that makes these World Championships so special. I am sure we will detect some real talent this weekend. It will be a fantastic UCI World Championships.
Are the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships about detecting talent or crowning the world’s best riders?
DL: Both. It’s already an achievement to be at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. The riders have qualified, and they want that rainbow jersey. But the beauty is that this event can crown established athletes but also reveal talent. There are more surprises than at our other World Championships where even if the winners are unexpected, they are always established, recognised athletes.
What is the role of cycling esports for the sport of cycling?
DL: Cycling esports will never replace traditional cycling, but it enables us to open up to another population. For example, the Zwift platform has more accounts than our National Federations have licensed riders. That means it creates a possibility for our National Federations to grow, expand and reach out to new audiences.
You have been Chair of the IOC Esports and Gaming Liaison Group since it was created in 2018. What is this?
DL: The IOC realises that the key to tomorrow is to renew sport’s audiences and reach the younger generation. The Esports and Gaming Liaison Group was formed following a summit, to explore the possibilities that exist with esports and gaming. At first, we were also looking at video games but this was moving a bit too far away from the Olympic philosophy and values.
So, we decided to concentrate on physical virtual sports. We continue to work with the gaming community, but for Olympic sports or sports that are governed by an International Federation.
In the IOC’s Agenda 2020+5, recommendation 9 leaves the door open to certain physical esports joining the Olympic Games…
Last year saw the first Olympic Virtual Series – featuring cycling, baseball-softball, rowing, sailing and motorsports – and this year the second edition in November will include six or seven sports. Again, the idea is to get people participating.
What are the advantages of cycling when it comes to esports?
DL: We are lucky that our sport can be virtual but physical at the same time. You need to take a shower afterwards! For football, for example, esport is more on the gaming side. It’s difficult to play alone at home with your football. You’re going to kick the screen. And for swimming, you’re not going to swim in the bath. It’s more complicated.
But whether its gaming or active virtual esports, people want to have a go. And, as far as cycling is concerned, the Covid-19 pandemic has led to even more enthusiasm and passion for cycling esports.
In your days as an athlete and early years in the sport’s governance, did you imagine that one day cycling esports would be so popular?
DL: Never! It’s a revolution. It’s extraordinary. We used to ride on a home trainer but that was about it. Now we can ride in our garage and be overtaken by a pro. We can ride with people from the other side of the world. We can invite friends to ride with us.
When you think about it, the possibilities are endless. With all the technology being developed, tomorrow maybe we could participate on the Olympic Games course… imagine that. If you could be inserted onto the screen of the Olympic road race and find yourself between Alaphilippe and Van Aerts. They would be riding fast of course, so you choose your booster – 20%, 30%. All that is for the future. But it’s a possibility. Just imagine!