Greetings, fellow roadies.
Today, I bring you news about an event that will has already started to polarise the cycling world.
The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and MyWhoosh have officially declared that the fourth edition of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships is set to take place in the city of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, come October 2024.
Riding into New Territory
In a remarkable twist, this edition introduces a thrilling change – for the first time ever, participants who qualify for the final will compete on site!
Picture this: the top 20 female and male athletes from the qualifying rounds will be jetting off to Abu Dhabi for what everyone hopes will be an unforgettable showdown.
This decision follows the earlier announcement by UCI, revealing that MyWhoosh is slated to be the exclusive platform and organiser of the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships for the next three years (2024-2026).
This partnership aims to blend the excitement of esports with the spirit of cycling, offering athletes, fans, and enthusiasts an immersive experience in this rapidly growing discipline.
The 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Unveiled
Here’s the lowdown on the event – the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will kick off with qualifying rounds to determine the finalists who will battle it out in Abu Dhabi.
At the time of writing we are still waiting for more detailed information, including the exact dates, location, qualification pathways, and event format.
All of which will be revealed at the beginning of 2024.
Beyond the Esports Arena
Abu Dhabi is not just stopping at hosting the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships.
The city has ambitious plans, aiming to become a hub for top-class cycling events.
In addition to the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships event, Abu Dhabi will play host to:
- 2024 UCI Urban Cycling World Championships
- 2028 UCI Road World Championships
- 2028 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
- 2029 UCI Track World Championships.
About UCI
For those unfamiliar, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) stands as the worldwide governing body for cycling.
Established in 1900 in Paris, France, the UCI oversees and develops cycling in all its forms – as a competitive sport, a recreational activity, a means of transport, and simply for the joy of it.
Managing and promoting various cycling disciplines, including road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials, indoor cycling, cycling esports, and gravel, the UCI is deeply woven into the fabric of cycling worldwide.
And speaking of fabric, they also have opinions on the right length for your socks.
Stay tuned for updates as we ride into the future of cycling with the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Abu Dhabi 2024!
Your journey to fitness and road cycling just got a whole lot more exciting. 🚴♂️🌟