Ep. 32: Echelon Racing Returns to Zwift, USA Cycling National Championships, and Zwift Grand Prix Round One Controversy

In Episode Thirty-Two of the Virtual Velo Podcast hosts Chris and Si sit down with Project Echelon Racing’s Eric Hill.

USA Cycling has just unveiled the plans for its third-annual Cycling Esports Nationals, and Project Echelon is returning to Zwift to put on the event. Eric has reached out to the cycling esports platform indieVelo for performance verification.

USA Cycling’s Big Announcement:

• 🚴‍♂️ Six-Race National Qualifier Series
• 🥇 Amateur, Elite, and Masters US National Championships
• 🏆 Crowning 20+ champions and Collegiate

Echelon Racing Promotions is spearheading this event, and it’s all happening on the virtual cycling platform, Zwift. However, what makes this year unique is the introduction of independent third-party indieVelo to verify every athlete’s performance, regardless of their competition level. We’re delighted to have Eric Hill, the driving force behind these developments, as our guest. Eric shares his insights and enthusiasm for this upcoming Zwift showdown.

Additional Talking Points:

1. 🌟 Zwift Grand Prix Round One Controversy – We delve into the details and get the perspective of the racers themselves. It’s an intriguing discussion.

2. 🌐 USA Cycling Esports World Championship Qualification – Learn how the top US esport racer can secure a spot on the global stage.

3. 🚀 Steps Toward the USA National Esports Team – Explore the exciting progress towards the formation of a top-tier esports team representing the USA.

4. 🏅 The IOC’s Esports Olympic Aspirations – Discover why cycling esports is well-positioned for a potential Olympic inclusion.

Closing Point: 🎤 But wait, there’s more! In a special announcement, Chris and Si reveal their collaborative venture – The Virtual Velo Network. This platform promises to bring a fresh perspective to the world of cycling esports.

Stay tuned! In Episode 33 the guys sit down with MyWhoosh and give the UCI’s platform a chance to share their voice with the community!

For an even deeper dive, check out the following articles cited in the episode.

• USA Cycling Announces Plans For 2024 Cycling Esports Nationals and Qualifiers [Zommunique, Oct. 23, 2023]
• RGT leads the charge for inclusion of disabled athletes in virtual cycling [Cycling News, Feb. 7, 2022]
• IOC Announces Plans For Olympic Esports Games [Zommunique, Oct. 16, 2023]
• “USA Cycling Embraces Cycling Esports and the Olympics Would be a Game-Changer,” Says the Chief of Sports Performance [Zommunique June 10, 2023]

Clip in and take a conversational ride with us as we lend a voice to the digital athlete and bridge the gap between athlete and avatar!

Correction: US World Championship Team Selection Criteria - Any athlete placing in the top three (3) at the prior year’s World Championships in the same event and category will be nominated to the Team. Not the top three (3) US finishers.