Ep. 55: Cycling Esports’ First Men’s World Champion Jason Osborne

In Episode 55 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma have a candid conversation with Olympic medalist rower turned WorldTour Pro Jason Osborne. In a heartfelt conversation, Osborne reveals that he’s happier now that he stepped away from Alpecin Deceuninck, free of the burdens of being enslaved by a joyless sport that is no longer worth the risk-reward to him.

He shares how stepping away from the grind of traditional road racing to focus on cycling esports has brought him a newfound life balance—something he felt was missing during his time in the pro peloton.

Osborne reflects on his journey, including a memorable incident where he clashed with another rider over the label of being the “Zwift guy.” He also candidly discusses the financial aspects of his career, revealing whether he makes more on MyWhoosh or from his road contract.

With an impressive record of never finishing off the podium at the World Championships, he embraces the thrill of live finals and the pressure that comes with them and says, “I don’t expect any surprises.”

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode. We’ve curated a selection of articles that inspired our conversation, providing you with exclusive insights.

• 2024 UCI Cycling Esports Finalists Punch Their Tickets to the Live Event in Abu Dhabi [Zommunique, Sept. 9, 2024]
• All of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Smart Trainers Will Be Tested, Standardized, and UCI-Approved [Zommunique, Aug. 6, 2024]
• Cycling Esports Will Be In The Olympics, But Is The Foundation Strong Enough? [Zommunique, Aug. 12, 2024]

Join us for a conversational ride where we not only lend a voice to the digital athlete but also bridge the gap between athlete and avatar. We invite you to be part of this exciting exploration of the future of virtual sport and digital athlete engagement!