MyWhoosh, the free-to-use virtual cycling platform, today announces its2023 MyWhoosh Championship beginning on 30th March. The fourth annual race series boasts the largest prize pot in e-sport cycling to date with $1 million (USD) up for grabs.
Exclusively hosted on MyWhoosh, and available to watch live on YouTube and Instagram, the seven stage Championship will be spread across eight days, including one rest day and is open to men and women worldwide. Participants can enter as an individual rider or as a member of a team and will be selected based on the performance data they submit. Successful riders will be split into categories according to their level of ability. The final selection will consist of 120 of the best and most competitive riders who have followed the MyWhoosh verification protocol to ensure fair racing. Prizes will be awarded to general classification winners and stage winners.
Each stage will feature a new course, with men racing for approximately 70km and women for approximately 50km. No two days will be the same, with racers taking on routes in Tour of Al’Ula, Tour of Arabia, Australia, and Tour of Colombia. Each road stage will have a variety of sprint and climb segments, all ranging in distance, and day four will consist of a time trial.
Racers will find themselves up against some of the most passionate competitors from across the globe, including some familiar faces such as Michael Vink, pro cyclist for UAE Team Emirates, a UCI World Tour Team. Vink secured his pro team contract thanks to his performance on MyWhoosh.
“I’ve experienced first-hand the opportunities that success on MyWhoosh can offer amateur riders. And this race series is a chance to not only secure an incredible prize pot, but for riders to shine on a platform that is recognised by the UCI World Tour,” says Michael Vink. “I’m excited to go toe to toe with the participants.”
“Competition is at the heart of the MyWhoosh mission, and we can’t wait to bring this heated series it’s a pleasure to be able to bring a heated race to life in our virtual world,” MyWhoosh says. “Our annual race series brings together the best of the best, inviting both new and experienced cyclists to take part and claim our biggest prize pot yet. With $1 million dollars up for grabs across the competition, some of the winning racers may see themselves going home with up to $10,000 we’re putting our money where our mouth is as we hope to inspire the next generation of cyclists. Join us and challenge yourself this new year.”
Signups for the race series open on 27th of February, and races begin on 30th of March. To register, and find more information, please visit mywhoosh.com.
Further details on prize money, categories, race formats and team requirements can be found below this release.
MyWhoosh Championship 2023
Overview
The MyWhoosh Championship is an 8 day, 7 stage event designed to test riders to their limits. Like the Tour de France, the race starts flat for the sprinters and increases elevation for the climbers each day. A flat first day building to the 5th stage with almost 2000m of climbing. On the penultimate day, a time trial will be help before finishing with a flat stage to give the sprinters one last chance for glory.
Throughout the championship, Men will complete 460km of racing with over 6000m of climbing and Women will complete 330km of racing with over 4000m of climbing.
Prize Money
$1,000,000 overall prize pot split evenly between Men and Women
· General Classification Winners
o Top 10 Individual Winners / Top 5 Team Winners
o Top 1 Youth Winner (Under 23)
o Top 1 Masters Category Winner (Above 50)
o Top 1 Sprint Winner
o Top 1 King/Queen of the Mountain Winner
MyWhoosh Points System
Points will be awarded as:
· 1st – 5
· 2nd – 4
· 3rd – 3
· 4th – 2
· 5th – 1
Routes
· Arabia
· Australia, Small Hills
· Alula, Medium Mountains
· Arabia, Hard Mountains
· Arabia, Extreme Mountains
· Alula, Flat Time Trial
· Arabia, Flat
Race Format
Each race will be a ‘scratch race’ or first across the line. Everyday will include sprint/climb segments. Stage 4 will be in a time trial style, with no drafting, but will still be a mass-start, first-across-the-finish format. Each category will have its own start time and these start times.
Teams
Teams can have a minimum of 3 riders and a maximum of 5. The team time will be calculated by adding up the top 3 riders’ times during each stage. Each team must compete every stage to be eligible for the overall team classification. All riders on any team are eligible for all individual prize money.
About MyWhoosh
MyWhoosh is a free-to-use virtual cycling app that helps riders get better, stronger and achieve their goals by giving them challenges to overcome and bringing together a community of like-minded cyclists and fitness enthusiasts. The MyWhoosh app caters to everyone, from indoor cycling newbies to experienced professional cyclists. Our routes, events, and workouts are designed to ensure you constantly challenge yourself and are driven to achieve victory for yourself and your team.