The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and its partner MyWhoosh today announce new information about the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, the fifth edition of the event, which will take place on 15 November at the Space 42 Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.
Following the success of the 2024 UCI Esports Cycling World Championships, also held in Abu Dhabi, MyWhoosh will offer a competition in a new format and a new environment that will make it even more exciting to follow. As in previous years, the event will be broadcast live on the UCI YouTube channel and MyWhoosh YouTube Channel.
The 40 finalists (20 men and 20 women) will be decided during semi-finals which, like last year, will feature up to 150 male and 150 female athletes from around the world competing virtually for the right to participate in the Grand Final in Abu Dhabi.
An inclusive and fair qualification process
The qualification process will begin shortly (date to be confirmed) and will continue until October. Seventy per cent of the places available for the semi-finals will be allocated through qualifiers organised by the National Federations, which will designate their respective representatives. The remaining 30% will be allocated through public qualifying events organised by MyWhoosh. More information on this will be provided in the coming weeks.
Semi-finals and finals each comprising three stages
The format of the semi-finals (3 October) and finals (15 November) of the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will be the same: in both cases, riders will compete in three stages called Sprinter’s Paradise, Punchers’ Playground and Last Rider Standing!
The order of the three stages, designed to test a wide range of physical and tactical skills, will be determined at a later date.
Sprinter’s Paradise – This will be contested over eight laps of a 1.5 km circuit. At the end of each lap, points will be awarded based on the results of the sprints. Designed for explosive riders, this race will see tension rise with each lap and will culminate in a final sprint allowing the best riders to earn more points than in the previous sprints.
Punchers’ Playground – This will be contested over a 12 km course dotted with short, steep climbs and sprint segments, designed for riders who excel at repeated explosive efforts. With two intermediate sprint zones and two timed climbs (KOM), it will reward both strategic positioning and raw power. The final sprint to the finish line will offer the most points and play a pivotal role in shaping the overall standing.
Last Rider Standing! – This will be a spectacular elimination race contested on a 7.2km climb with an elevation gain of 554 metres. The peloton will shrink and the tension will rise as riders cross each checkpoint. Riders will earn points based on their placement and survival time. The last rider remaining will win the stage and the maximum number of points.
In the semi-finals, cumulative points earned by riders across the three stages will determine the 20 best athletes in each category who will qualify for the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Final in Abu Dhabi. The finalists will be joined by athletes who have obtained a wild card.
The principle for the final will be the same: the points accumulated during all three stages will determine the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Champions.
UCI President David Lappartient said: “After a magnificent edition in 2024, MyWhoosh again sets the stage – both virtual and physical – for the battles that will crown our 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Champions. Following a global and inclusive qualification system and the selective three-stage semi-finals, only the very best will be present in Abu Dhabi to vie for the rainbow jersey. MyWhoosh continues to innovate, with a new format that will not pardon any errors from the athletes. We can expect a demonstration of cycling esports at its very best!”
Matthew Smithson, Director of Esports and Game Operations at MyWhoosh said: “The 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships reflect everything MyWhoosh stands for: innovation, fairness, and delivering a world-class racing experience. This year’s format is built to test the best, engage fans, and prove why virtual cycling belongs on the world stage. We’re proud and excited to partner with the UCI again – not just to host a championship but to drive the sport forward.”
About the UCI
Founded on April 14, 1900, in Paris, France, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms and for all people: as a competitive sport, a healthy recreational activity, a means of transport, and also just for fun. The UCI manages and promotes the 11 cycling disciplines of road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials, indoor cycling, cycling esports, gravel and snow bike. Five of these are featured on the Olympic Games programme (road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing and BMX Freestyle) and two in the Paralympic Games (road and track). Cycling also features on the programme of the Youth Olympic Games. For more information: www.uci.org
About MyWhoosh
Born in 2019 in Abu Dhabi, UAE, MyWhoosh is a free-to-use virtual cycling app. Designed by professionals and available to all riders, MyWhoosh aims to push riders to their limits through immersive, personalised and challenging indoor cycling experiences. Used by professionals and beginners alike, MyWhoosh offers visually stunning virtual worlds, over 730 tailored workout plans and weekly competitive races. For more information: www.mywhoosh.com