Ep. 86: The World Championship Team of Kate McCarthy and Dylan Kennett

Two-time UCI Cycling Esports World Champion Kate McCarthy joins the Virtual Velo Podcast, fresh off her successful title defense in Abu Dhabi. She’s joined by her partner, Olympian and former track world champion Dylan Kennett, for a straightforward conversation about racing, preparation, and life behind the results.

Kate talks through how this year’s final unfolded, what felt different, and how support from family and friends shapes her racing experience. Dylan shares his perspective from years at the top of the sport, his role in Kate’s training and strategy, and what he believes cycling esports needs to continue progressing.

We cover their story as a couple, the challenges of outside criticism, thoughts on doping controls and the new weigh-in policy, and where they see the discipline heading. It’s an honest look at the realities of competing—and succeeding—at the highest level of cycling esports.

Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode.

• Kate McCarthy’s road race redemption is a victory for cycling esports [Escape Collective, Feb. 2025]
• Listen to ep. 57 with Kate here.
• Osborne and McCarthy repeat as cycling esports world champions [Escape Collective, Nov. 2025]
• Preview: Can the favorites repeat at the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships? [Escape Collective, Nov. 2025]
• We need to talk openly about weight in cycling esports too [Escape Collective, Aug. 2025]
• Triple world champion Jason Osborne calls for year-round anti-doping measures in cycling Esports [Domestique, Nov. 2025]

Statements made by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the podcast, its hosts, or its partners. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions.