Paris (AFP)
The German Jason Osborne and the South African Ashleigh Moolman became Wednesday the very first world champions of virtual cycling, a new discipline in vogue halfway between esport and traditional cycling.
Osborne and Moolman were the fastest to advance their avatar on the roads of "Watopia", the name of the virtual universe where these Worlds took place.
At the end of the 50 km race organized on the Zwift cycling app, they won the first rainbow jerseys of the specialty officially awarded by the International Cycling Union.
For this inaugural edition, big names from the peloton were present, including the Belgian Thomas De Gendt, the Colombian Rigoberto Uran or the Dutch Anna van der Breggen.
Cyclists competed at home, from their living room or garage, on a bicycle connected to a home trainer, itself connected to a computer screen.
Thanks to the Zwift platform, the difficulties of the race - elevation, changes of terrain ... - are faithfully reproduced.
Jason Osborne, a trained rower and multiple medalist in rowing, won after an effort of 1 hour 5 minutes.
ahead of Danes Anders Foldager and Nicklas Pedersen.
On her 35th birthday, Moolman, already South African road champion this year, beat the Australian Sarah Gigante and the Swedish Cecilia Hansen by a breath after 1 h 13 min.
race.
Pushed to the forefront from confinement, virtual bike races are experiencing growing success this year.
Recently, the Tour de Suisse, the Tour of Flanders and even the Tour de France were entitled to their esport version.
The discipline now hopes to perpetuate this craze over the long term.
© 2020 AFP