2022 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships: Adegeest and Vine power to rainbow stripes in Zwift’s New York

Loes Adegeest (NED) and Jay Vine (AUS) became the second UCI Cycling Esports World Champions this Saturday on the Knickerbocker route in a virtual New York.

The final climb of the Zwift’s New York Knickerbocker was the decider in both the women’s and men’s races of the 2022 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, with the Netherlands’ Loes Adegeest and Australia’s Jay Vine both powering to victory at the end of two intense races.

The Dutch rider got the better of Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (RSA), who gave it her all in the defense of the rainbow jersey she earned in December 2020.

“It’s a bit unreal,” said Adegeest. “I dreamed about this race and this is better than a dream come true. I knew I had to save myself for the last part. It was hard to hang on behind Ashleigh Moolman Pasio but I had the legs in the end.”

Jay Vine again showed his skills that he had already demonstrated in winning the Zwift Academy in 2020. His prowess in virtual races has led him to strong performances on the road – and now he’ll enjoy the rainbow stripes.

Adegeest succeeds Moolman Pasio

The two battles for the rainbow jersey followed the same format: scratch races on a 54.9km route, comprising two and a half laps of Zwift’s New York Knickerbocker with a hilly finish atop a 1.4km climb (6.1% average gradient; 17% max). The rolling route amounted to 944m of elevation.

Women were the first in action on Saturday evening. A virtual peloton of 84 contenders brought together riders from all around the world (23 nations represented) in a futuristic Central Park. Approximately one third of them had qualified through continental races on Zwift at the end of 2021, and the rest were selected by their national federations, including the defending champion Ashleigh Moolman Pasio (RSA).

Back in her national colours, the South African icon made sure she was well positioned on the first ascent of the day. Meanwhile, 2020 silver medallist Sarah Gigante (AUS) was caught in an early split and already trailing by over a minute by 20km into the race.

Tension and power increased towards the race’s second ascent. Moolman Pasio steadily put out over 6 watts per kilogram and used her feather PowerUp (reduces the rider’s virtual weight by 10% for 15 seconds) close to the summit. USA’s Kristen Kulchinsky joined her efforts to wear down the pack as did Sweden’s Emma Belforth and Great Britain’s Zoe Langham.

Kulchinsky accelerated again inside the last 20km but was quickly caught. Making the most of their numbers, the Americans (10 riders) repeatedly increased the pace with a strong attack from Katheryn Curi, hitting 11W/kg to open a gap with 17km to go.

As she was caught 3km later, Godbe immediately counter-attacked, before another move by her compatriot Stefanie Sydlik, to ensure a relentless pace ahead of the final ascent. With 10km remaining, Sydlik was caught, but Curi went again! The former National USA Road Champion opened a gap of more than 15’’.

Curi was eventually reeled in with 2km to go. Moolman Pasio moved to the front at the bottom of the climb to the line. Only Loes Adegeest and the 2020 bronze medallist Cecilia Hansen (SWE) followed her inside the last kilometre. The South African rider used a feather PowerUp with 700m to go, but her rivals held on and Langham joined them for the last 500m.

With a perfectly timed feather, Adegeest surged to victory in the final sprint. Hansen took silver ahead of Langham. Moolman Pasio finished 4th and Liz Van Houweling was Team USA’s first finisher in 5th.

Vine’s masterclass

The men’s race saw 86 riders from 23 countries competing, including the defending champion Jason Osborne (GER), over the same route as the women. The Japanese team was eager to bring the battle, with early attacks by Ryusuke Honda and then Hidenori Sasauchi, but their moves were soon controlled by the bunch. USA’s Brian Hodges was the next rider on the attack, but Jay Vine, one of the biggest names of the virtual racing scene, was already setting a high pace on the first ascent.

Rick Ottema (NED) and Tomoaki Takasugi (JPN) were the next riders to attack, but the pack was paying attention to ensure that no-one was allowed to go up the virtual road. Vine kept applying pressure on the second ascent.

Attacks continued to fly on rolling terrain and a group of six riders went clear into the last 15km: Jo Pirotte (BEL), Martin Maertens (GER), Léandre Bouchard (CAN), Henrik Fjelheim (NOR), Reiner Kepplinger (AUT) and Spencer Seggebruch (USA).

The gap was still up to 10’’ as Kepplinger put the hammer down with his feather PowerUp at the bottom of the final climb. Vine was leading a hard chase to bring the gap down to 4’’ with 500m to go.

Osborne made an effective use of his aerodynamics PowerUp but Vine caught him inside the last 100m to take the 2022 UCI Cycling Esports World Champion title, after he won the Zwift Academy in 2020. His compatriot Freddy Ovett took the silver medal and Osborne finished 3rd ahead of another Australian, Benjamin Hill.