Best Virtual Velo Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 87: Team Africa Rising is Building a Virtual Racing Revolution Across Africa 52:56

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2h ago52:56

52:56

In this episode of the Virtual Velo Podcast, we sit down with CEO Kimberly Coats and Jeremy Ford of Team Africa Rising to explore one of the most ambitious development projects in modern African cycling: a plan to bring over 1,000 young cyclists across Africa into virtual racing through a new network of Virtual Performance Centers. From Rwanda’s hi…

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Ep. 86: The World Championship Team of Kate McCarthy and Dylan Kennett 57:18

7d ago57:18

57:18

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 yea…

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Ep. 85: USA Cycling National Champion Hayden “Farmwatts” Pucker chats Nats, Worlds, Predictions, and Storylines 43:51

23d ago43:51

43:51

In this episode, the Virtual Velo Podcast rolls into the biggest week on the cycling esports calendar. USA Cycling Esports National Champion Hayden “Farmwatts” Pucker returns to the show as he prepares to take on the world’s best at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships live final in Abu Dhabi on November 15th. Co-hosts Chris Schwenker and Em…

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Ep. 84: Echelon’s Eric Hill — USA Cycling Esports National Series and 2026 National Championships 43:27

1M ago43:27

43:27

Project Echelon co-founder Eric Hill returns to the Virtual Velo Podcast to share an announcement that he believes could reshape the future of cycling esports. From leading the top American UCI Continental team to empowering veterans through sport, Eric has built a movement grounded in purpose and performance. Now, through a new partnership with US…

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Ep. 83: Jacquie Godbe’s Comeback Story — Racing, Recovery, and Redefining Resilience 59:58

2M ago59:58

59:58

The 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship finals are set for Abu Dhabi, and once again, Jacquie Godbe is on the start list—continuing her streak of qualifying for every World Championship since the sport began. The multi-time USA Cycling Esports National Champion, bronze medalist at the 2023 Worlds, and practicing physician returns to The Vir…

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Ep. 82: The UCI’s Cycling Esports Coordinator, Jacob Fraser, talks World Championships and the Sport’s Future 1:08:40

2M ago1:08:40

1:08:40

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, host Chris Schwenker is joined once again by Jacob Fraser, the UCI’s Cycling Esports Coordinator, for an in-depth conversation ahead of the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. Jacob reflects on last year’s groundbreaking Worlds—the first live final on MyWhoosh—and shares insights into what work…

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Ep. 81: Mika Söderström – The 2-time National Road Champ That Identifies as an Esports Racer 47:55

3M ago47:55

47:55

Sweden’s Mika Söderström is a rare cycling talent. A two-time Swedish Road Race Champion and multiple-time Cycling Esports National Champion, she’s one of the only athletes to hold and defend both jerseys simultaneously—yet she still identifies first and foremost as an esports racer. In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, Mika joins hosts E…

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Ep. 80: From indieVelo to TrainingPeaks Virtual – A conversation with Dr. George Gilbert about philosophy, phase one, new features, and the future 52:56

3M ago52:56

52:56

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, join hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker as they welcome back Dr. George Gilbert for his fifth appearance. In this episode, Dr. Gilbert, now the Vice President of Virtual Platforms at TrainingPeaks, offers an exclusive look at the rapid evolution of the platform since its acquisition and transition to …

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Ep. 79: Cycling Canada National Esports Champion Tiffany Penner 32:35

4M ago32:35

32:35

Power, process, and the pursuit of a World Title. In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, Cycling Canada National Esports Champion Tiffany Penner joins co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker for a wide-ranging conversation about her journey in cycling esports—from her early days in sport to lining up in Abu Dhabi for the 2024 UCI World Champ…

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Ep. 78: Virtually a Niche Within a Niche with Biketerra founder Matt Gibbs 43:47

3M ago43:47

43:47

In a landscape dominated by virtual cycling giants like Zwift, MyWhoosh, and Rouvy, why would anyone launch a grassroots platform from scratch? In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, we sit down with Matt Gibbs, the quietly determined founder of Biketerra—a browser-based, community-powered alternative that’s carving out space in a sport alrea…

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Ep. 77: Matt Smithson talks $1 Million MyWhoosh Championship and UCI Worlds 1:00:58

4M ago1:00:58

1:00:58

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, Matt Smithson, Director of Esports and Game Operations at MyWhoosh, joins co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker for a wide-ranging conversation on the $1 million MyWhoosh Championship and the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. We delve into the vision behind the platform’s flagship events, …

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Ep. 76: The Anatomy of a Record-Setting 24-Hour Zwift Ride 1:11:10

5M ago1:11:10

1:11:10

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome Matthew Lefthand—the newly crowned world-record holder for the greatest virtual cycling distance in 24 hours—and Larry Oslund, Records Chair of the World Ultra Cycling Association (WUCA). Lefthand’s transformation from 280 pounds to elite ultra-cyclist is …

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Ep. 75: CEO Petr Samek on Rouvy’s Rise Up the Virtual Cycling Ranks to #2 58:52

5M ago58:52

58:52

In a space dominated by gamified worlds and high-profile competition, one platform has quietly carved out its own lane—grounded in realism, driven by innovation, and growing on its own terms. In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker sit down with Rouvy CEO Petr Samek for a rare, wide-ranging, unfiltered …

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Ep. 74: Breaking barriers, transforming lives, and building future champions: How cycling esports drives Masaka’s mission in Uganda 54:45

6M ago54:45

54:45

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, guest co-host award-winning cycling journalist Aaron Borrill and Chris Schwenker sit down with Ross Burrage, co-founder of Uganda’s Masaka Cycling Club Foundation. Ross shares how a grassroots cycling initiative in rural East Africa is transforming lives — breaking generational poverty, challenging gende…

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Ep. 73: Is elite cyclist Illi Gardner the best pure climber of her generation? 48:56

6M ago48:56

48:56

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker sit down with grimpeur extraordinaire Illi Gardner—multi-time British and European Hill Climb Champion, two-time Everesting world record holder, and the 2024 Zwift Games Climb Champion. With over 10,000 climbing QOMs to her name, including iconic climbs like Vento…

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Ep. 72: Aussie Cycling Esports National Champs Kate Trdin and Josh Harris 44:43

7M ago44:43

44:43

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome Australian Cycling Esports National Champions Kate Trdin and Josh Harris to discuss their standout seasons and dive into the highs and lows of the 2025 AUS Cycling Esports National Championships. Kate and Josh share candid reactions to the move to MyWhoosh…

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Ep. 71: Zwift Games 25 Men’s Champion Neal Fryett—Under the Radar, First Over the Line 45:50

7M ago45:50

45:50

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome Neal Fryett—one of the fastest finishers in elite cycling esports and a rider who’s quietly built one of the sport’s most impressive palmarès. A standout for Team USA, Neal has paired raw sprint power with sharp tactical instincts to claim the Sprint Stage…

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Ep. 70: Conny Björnehall—Making Cycling Esports a Household Name 42:03

8M ago42:03

42:03

Sweden is setting the bar for national federations in cycling esports—and at the center of it all is Conny Björnehall, Chairman of Ecycling for the Swedish Cycling Federation. In this episode of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Conny shares how Sweden has quickly become a global force in the discipline, from sending eight riders to the 2024 UCI Cycling Es…

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Ep. 69: Michael Vink—Full Circle From MyWhoosh to UAE Team Emirates and Back to Cycling Esports 53:31

8M ago53:31

53:31

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome Michael Vink, a rider who’s made his mark on the WorldTour and the virtual world of cycling esports. After a successful stint with UAE Team Emirates, Michael’s journey to the pro ranks was anything but conventional—he broke into the pros racing on MyWhoosh…

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Ep. 68: Nutrition Coach and Influencer Kate MacLeod-Cycling Esports Performance Insights 51:13

9M ago51:13

51:13

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, co-hosts Emma Martin and Chris Schwenker welcome cyclist, nutrition coach, and influencer Kate MacLeod. With her diverse athletic background, spanning road cycling, gravel, and esports, Kate brings invaluable insights into the evolving world of cycling esports. Tune in as Kate shares her expertise on per…

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Ep. 67: Dean Cunningham-Championing Change in Cycling Esports 58:38

9M ago58:38

58:38

In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, we sit down with Dean Cunningham, an elite cycling esports racer for Restart pb Alex Coh Coaching, event organizer, and outspoken leader in the community. Known for his no-nonsense approach and deep passion for the sport, Dean isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. We dive into his cycling esports jou…

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Ep. 66: Inside Cycling Canada’s Esports Strategy with Josh Peacock 37:17

9M ago37:17

37:17

Cycling esports is evolving fast, and national federations are working to define their role in the sport. In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, we sit down with Josh Peacock, Cycling Canada’s Director of Marketing and Events, to explore how the federation navigates this dynamic space. We discuss Cycling Canada’s philosophy on virtual racing,…

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Ep. 65: The Team Behind the Success of Women’s Team—AEONIAN 41:09

10M ago41:09

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How does a women’s cycling esports team grow from just five members to dominating at both the elite and community levels in a few short years while remaining true to the inclusive motto: We are stronger together? In episode 65 of The Virtual Velo Podcast, hosts Chris and Emma sit down with Karla Williams, co-founder of Aeonian Race Team, along with…

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Ep. 64: Bike Racer, Heart Surgery Survivor, and Advocate, Cody McKay 42:20

11M ago42:20

42:20

In Episode 64, a special episode of the Virtual Velo Podcast, we’re bringing you an inspiring conversation with Cody McKay, founder of Project Heart, and our very own Chris. Both are passionate cyclists with a unique perspective—overcoming life-altering cardiac challenges to return to and thrive in the endurance sport they love. Cody, a 33-year-old…

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Ep. 63: CVR Cup and Smash Your Fitness Founder Frank Garcia 42:53

11M ago42:53

42:53

In Episode 63 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, a true pioneer in the cycling and tech worlds, Frank Garcia joins Emma and Chris. As the founder of Improvement Interactive, Frank has built custom business software for industry giants, but his influence extends far beyond that. In the world of virtual cycling, he’s a visionary—having competed in one of t…

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Ep. 62: Cycling Esports Superstar Gabi Guerra 1:05:19

11M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

In Episode 62 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Emma and Chris sit down with elite cycling esports superstar Gabi Guerra to uncover her journey from a humble upbringing in Brazil to competing on the global stage. Gabi shares how skateboarding first sparked her passion for elite sports and paved the way for her to champion women’s representation. We expl…

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Ep. 61: NeXT eSports pb Enshored Cycling Team President Greg Abbott 50:33

11M ago50:33

50:33

In Episode 61 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Emma and Chris welcome NeXT eSports pb Enshored cycling team president Greg Abbott. The results for Abbott and his team of elite global talent are undeniable—multiple Zwift elite team titles, several national esports champions, and numerous UCI Cycling Esports World Championship finalists with top-ten plac…

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Ep. 60: Zwift Pauses Elite Racing—Community Weighs In On Smart Trainer Issues 1:03:05

12M ago1:03:05

1:03:05

In Episode 60 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris welcomes cycling journalist Aaron Borrill, an elite racer who has competed in multiple UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. Aaron discusses his role as Captain of the South African Esports National Team, the innovative ways Cycling South Africa supports cycling esports, and how their approach cou…

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Ep. 59: Eric Hill Announces 2024/25 Echelon Racing League & USA Cycling Esports Nationals 29:53

1y ago29:53

29:53

In Episode 59 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Eric Hill, founder of Project Echelon Racing and Echelon Racing Promotions. Eric has been a visionary in blending traditional cycling with virtual racing, supporting the sport and the veteran community through his groundbreaking initiatives. In this episode, we’ll dive into Project E…

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Ep. 58: Training Peaks’ Dirk Friel and indieVelo’s Dr. George Gilbert on Formation of Training Peaks Virtual 47:31

1y ago47:31

47:31

In Episode 58 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Dirk Friel, co-founder and Chief Evangelist of Training Peaks, and Dr. George Gilbert, the creator of indieVelo, to discuss their newly formed partnership and the launch of Training Peaks Virtual. The collaboration combines indieVelo’s innovative approach to virtual cycling and espor…

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Ep. 57: 2024 Women's UCI Cycling Esports World Champion, New Zealand's Kate McCarthy 44:18

1y ago44:18

44:18

In Episode 57 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma sit down with cycling esports’ new women’s World Champion, New Zealand's Kate McCarthy, for her first interview since her thrilling victory in the live finals in Abu Dhabi. McCarthy, the only community racer to conquer the elite esports stage, opens up about the emotional rollercoaster leadi…

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Ep. 56: On the Eve of the Cycling Esports World Championships with UCI’s Jacob Fraser and MyWhoosh’s Matt Smithson 43:10

1y ago43:10

43:10

In episode 56 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, host Chris catches up with Jacob Fraser from the UCI and Matt Smithson from MyWhoosh in Abu Dhabi as they gear up for the groundbreaking 2024 UCI Cycling Esports live event final. Set against the stunning backdrop of Abu Dhabi, this episode is essential listening for any cycling esports fan or enthusiast a…

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Ep. 55: Cycling Esports’ First Men’s World Champion Jason Osborne 33:41

1y ago33:41

33:41

In Episode 55 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma have a candid conversation with Olympic medalist rower turned WorldTour Pro Jason Osborne. In a heartfelt conversation, Osborne reveals that he’s happier now that he stepped away from Alpecin Deceuninck, free of the burdens of being enslaved by a joyless sport that is no longer worth the ris…

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Ep. 54: UCI's Cycling Esports Coordinator Jacob Fraser 56:25

1y ago56:25

56:25

In Episode 54 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma sit down with Jacob Fraser, the UCI's Cycling Esports Coordinator. Fraser's journey from early involvement in cycling esports with platforms like Zwift and MyWhoosh to his current role with the UCI showcases his impact on the sport's rapid evolution. His insights shed light on the UCI's comm…

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Ep. 53: Danish Cycling Union’s Esports Director Martin Wang Hjørngaard 32:35

1y ago32:35

32:35

In Episode 53 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome the Danish Cycling Union’s Esports Director Martin Wang Hjørngaard. Denmark is the home of the defending men’s cycling esports World Champion, Bjørn Andreassen, and the second most medals in Cycling Esports World Championship history. The nation’s perennial success is no coincidence.…

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Ep. 52: Cycling Esports Superstar Lou Bates 34:01

1y ago34:01

34:01

In Episode 52 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Great Britain’s cycling esports superstar, Lou Bates. From a bustling corner of her Zurich hotel lobby, Emma found a coveted Wi-Fi signal and a short window of time. She’s there putting words to the action, calling numerous 2024 Road and Para-Cycling World Champions for the BBC. [Ple…

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Ep. 51: Hayden "Farmwatts" Pucker is the New Breed of Cycling Esports 27:12

1y ago27:12

27:12

In Episode 51 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and guest host, cycling broadcaster Matt Payne, welcome 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship finalist, the USA's Hayden "Farmwatts" Pucker. He epitomizes the new breed of cycling esports racers making a mark on the sport through their youthful exuberance, competitive charisma, and drive to be …

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Ep. 50: MyWhoosh's Matt Smithson, 2024 Cycling Esports World Championship Semi-Final Recap & Live Final Preview 52:01

1y ago52:01

52:01

In Episode 50 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Matt Smithson, MyWhoosh's Senior Director of Esports and Events. Before getting Matt's prediction for who will pull the rainbow-striped jersey over their heads, he shares MyWhoosh's unlikely journey to the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships Semi-Final, which took place on S…

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Ep. 49: Mt. Washington Record Holder & Cycling Esports Star Kristen Kulchinsky w/Coach Josh Lipka 49:51

1+ y ago49:51

49:51

In Episode 49 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome Virginia's Blue Ridge TWENTY24's Kristen Kulchinsky and Coach Josh Lipka. The reigning US National Cycling Esports Champion is on a barnstorming campaign in her first year as a real world cyclist, crushing the course record on every hill climb she entered, including an epic victory a…

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Ep. 48: AthleteAnalytiX Founder Bjoern Ossenbrink 36:40

1+ y ago36:40

36:40

In Episode 48 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma discuss the Zwift Community Elite 2024/25 season performance verification process changes with AthleteAnalytiX founder Bjoern Ossenbrink. Bjoern is a pioneer in the space. Beginning as a Zwift beta-tester, he progressed from community racer to leading ZADA, the Zwift Accuracy and Data Analys…

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Ep. 47: Elyse Gallegos is 100% All In For Cycling Esports 38:49

1+ y ago38:49

38:49

In Episode 47 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome elite esports cyclist Elyse Gallegos. The IRONMAN champion and mother to two young boys is proud to represent the USA in the semi-finals of the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship. Elyse shares her experience balancing family priorities while striving for personal athletic go…

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Ep. 46: FRR’s Richard Vale on the Groundbreaking MYTIKAS Games & Cycling Esports News Update 47:37

1+ y ago47:37

47:37

In Episode 46 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Flamme Rouge Racing’s Richard Vale discusses the groundbreaking multi-platform MYTIKAS Games and, along with hosts Chris and Emma, explores the essential cycling esports news that all racers and fans need to know! The MYTIKAS games are the first cycling esports event to unfold across multiple platforms, fe…

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Ep. 45: The Research Team Leading the UCI's Smart Trainer Standardization Program 48:57

1+ y ago48:57

48:57

In Episode 45 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, hosts Chris and Emma catch up with the Purdue University College of Engineering team of Prof. Jan-Anders Mansson and researchers Patrick Cavanaugh and Teal Dowd, who are leading the UCI's smart trainer homologation and data manipulation program. The group is currently in Lucerne, Switzerland, preparing to …

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Ep. 44: Anti-Cheating Esports Researcher Dr. Andrew Richardson and the 2024/25 Zwift Elite Race Book Breakdown 1:01:38

1+ y ago1:01:38

1:01:38

In Episode 44 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, hosts Chris and Emma welcome Andrew Richardson, Ph.D., a foremost anti-doping cycling esports research associate at Newcastle University, UK. The scientific review "Zwift's Anti-Doping Policy: Is it Open to Cheating?" published in the International Journal of Esports in early 2022 was one of the first to t…

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Ep. 43: Aussie Cycling Esports Indoor Specialists Kate Trdin and Josh Harris 45:42

1+ y ago45:42

45:42

In Episode 43 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, hosts Chris and Emma welcome the Aussie “Indoor Specialist” power couple Kate Trdin and Josh Harris. Josh held the World Record for the Beer Mile multiple times (four beers and four laps in 4:51), won the Zwift Grand Prix Epic Points Race, finished fourth in the 2024 Zwift Games Overall Championship, and t…

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Ep. 42: indieVelo's Dr. George Gilbert, Watts Aren't Watts in the Present and Future of Defining Virtual Sport 46:31

1+ y ago46:31

46:31

For Episode 42 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Emma welcome back indieVelo founder Dr. George Gilbert for the third time for their first time together as co-hosts. Quickly after the Apple TV release, which makes indieVelo accessible to a broad range of users and devices, he explains why "Watts Aren't Watts" when defining the future of virtua…

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Ep. 41: The Virtual Velo Podcast Ushers In a New Era 56:22

1+ y ago56:22

56:22

In Part One of Episode 41 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Si welcome elite cycling esports racer and award-winning cycling journalist Aaron Borrill. "Captain South Africa" shares how Cycling South Africa supports their National Cycling Esports team as a unique cycling discipline and how he plans to help get his teammates ready for the 2024 U…

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Ep. 40: Ex-Zwift Performance Team Employee Flint McInnis 1:28:21

1+ y ago1:28:21

1:28:21

In Episode 40 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Si welcome former Zwift employee Flint McInnis for an insightful, forward-thinking conversation on the state of racing on the platform. Flint, a Zwift competition team member and forum moderator, played a vital role in developing the Zwift Racing Score before being affected by Zwift’s recent rest…

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Ep. 39: Lionel Vujasin and Ollie Jones, Zwift Games Championship or MyWhoosh Sunday Race Club? And In-Person Performance Testing in Abu Dhabi 1:30:14

1+ y ago1:30:14

1:30:14

For Episode 39 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, cycling esports pioneers Lionel Vujasin and Ollie Jones join the discussion with Chris and Si. Lionel made a splash with a thrilling win at the CVR Cup live event in Vancouver in 2018, while Ollie claimed victory at Zwift Academy the same year and went on to success on the road and beyond. Reflecting on t…

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Ep. 38: Live From The Birthplace of Zwift Cycling Esports with Brian Duffy 1:06:38

1+ y ago1:06:38

1:06:38

For Episode 38 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, Chris and Si journeyed over 8,000 miles to Long Beach, CA, the birthplace of Zwift Cycling Esports, to record live together for the first time. They had the opportunity to interview Brian Duffy, the 2024 USA Cycling Esports National Champion from NeXT eSports pb Enshored, and share a ride and insightful c…