From living rooms and garages around the world, the best Zwift and professional riders in the world logged onto the e-racing platform to contest the first E-sports world championships.
It was a largely flat course, with a punchy climb to finish that saw the gaps kept quite small on the finish line.
In the women's race, Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio broke away with Gigante on the final metres of the summit finish and maintained her position just ahead of the Australian all the way to the line to win the inaugural world championships.
"I know that virtual cycling, and esports, is something quite new but I think it will become a big thing," said Moolman-Pasio. "I'm proud to be the first-ever esports world champion. Of course, there will be some that say it’s not the same and it’s not as impressive, but in time more and more will convert, and they will enjoy it.
"I think the younger generation is really behind e-sport, so there’s plenty more to come in the esports world, and I’m very proud to be part of that movement."
Gigante in second was enjoying her first time representing Australia in the green and gold, posting to social media
In the men's event, Olympic rowing hopeful Jason Osborne was the best, powering clear to victory on the final climb with a massive surge of 12 watts per/kg and holding his advantage to the finish.
"I don’t have road race experience, I’ve only done TTs but I came to Zwift a couple of years ago and used it as a training tool," said Osborne of his cycling experience. "It’s motivating and I really think Zwift is a great opportunity to race people. I don’t need to ride outside because it’s so fun.
Osborne, 26, is already qualified for the Olympics as part of the Men's Double Sculls in the German team, but wouldn't rule out a switch to cycling in the future.
“Maybe I’ll switch to cycling after the Olympics and see what I can achieve. With Zwift developing, there’s an opportunity there, so I’m excited how it will all develop,” said Osbourne."
Australia's Ben Hill was the best of the Aussie riders, finishing in fifth, three seconds down on Osborne's finishing mark.
Wow, what a race at the 2020 UCI Esports World 🌎 Championships this morning on Zwift The AusCycling Team put in an... Posted by A E R O - Australian E-sport Racing Organisation on Wednesday, 9 December 2020
