COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – USA Cycling announced on Friday the athletes who will represent the United States at the 2020 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, a first of its kind competition hosted by Zwift. This new event will take place on December 9, 2020 within Watopia, the world’s biggest virtual cycling destination, where both the men and women will race on identical courses, over equal distances and for equal prize money.
USA Cycling hosted the Esports Trials on October 11th, where the top three riders in the men’s and women’s categories were granted spots on Team USA. The trials gave an opportunity to many riders who may not have otherwise had a chance to race on a world-class team.
“This year has been about adaptability. We’re excited that we have been able to provide a virtual race series this year to keep our members engaged through the pandemic, now they have the opportunity to take that training to the world stage, all from the comfort of their home,” said Jeff Pierce, USA Cycling’s Director of Elite Athletics for Road and Track.
Riders to highlight include Laura Matsen Ko (Seattle, Wash.; Evoq.bike p/b Enshored) and Lauren Stephens(Mesquite, Texas; Team TIBCO Silicon Valley Bank) who are both ranked first and second, respectively, on the world-wide overall ZwiftPower Rankings, along with Kristen Kulchinsky (Dix Hills, N.Y.) and Christie Tracy (Austin, Texas; Saris + The Pro's Closet) sitting ninth and tenth, respectively. Brian Hodges (Shoreline, Wash.; Evoq.bike p/b Enshored) is the overall top ranked rider on the men’s ZwiftPower Rankings, with Ryan Larson (Galloway, N.J.) in 15th.
The Team USA roster competing for the prestige of being the first Cycling Esports World Champion is as follows:
Elite Men:
Holden Comeau (Philadelphia, Penn.; Saris + Pros Closet)
Lawson Craddock (Austin, Tex.; EF Pro Cycling)
Brian Hodges (Shoreline, Wash.; Evoq.bike p/b Enshored)
Jadon Jaeger (Wauwatosa, Wis.; Adapt Cycling)*
Ryan Larson (Galloway, N.J.; Saris + Pros Closet)
Tanner Ward (Little Rock, Ark.; First Internet Bank)*
Cory Williams (Pomona, Calif.; L39ION LA)
Tyler Williams (Santa Rosa, Calif.; L39ION LA)*
Elite Women:
Krista Doebel-Hickok (Marina del Rey, Calif.; Rally Cycling)*
Kristen Faulkner (Menlo Park, Calif.; Team TIBCO Silicon Valley Bank)
Jacqueline Godbe (Chicago, Ill.)*
Kristen Kulchinsky (Dix Hills, N.Y.; TWENTY20)
Laura Matsen Ko (Seattle, Wash.; Evoq.bike p/b Enshored)*
Courtney Nelson (San Jose, Calif.; TWENTY20)
Shayna Powless (Roseville, Calif.; TWENTY20)
Lauren Stephens (Mesquite, Tex.; Team TIBCO Silicon Valley Bank)
Christie Tracy (Austin, Texas; Saris + The Pro's Closet)
*Athletes earned their qualification with a top 3 finish at the 2020 USA Cycling Esports Trials that took place on October 11th.
The complete selection criteria is available here.
Roster updated December 1, 2020
About The Race
When: Wednesday, December 9th, 2020
- Women: 14:40 CET
- Men: 15:45 CET
Length: 31.09mi (50.035km)
Elevation: 1584.65ft (483m)
To cheer for Team USA at the 2020 World Championships, please follow @UCI_Cycling and @USACyclingLIVE on Twitter. For more about the 2020 UCI Cycling E-Sports World Championships, please visit the event website.
