In today’s rapidly evolving landscape of social media and instant gratification, traditional sports are at a pivotal juncture. Major organisations are actively seeking innovative methods to captivate a modern audience and reinvigorate the world of sports. For instance, FIFA is spearheading efforts to revolutionise football, and cricket has introduced The Hundred. Even cycling, with its long races that can last over eight hours, is facing a critical moment in its quest to attract new fans. Surprisingly, eSports has emerged as a potential game-changer.
A recent visit to Abu Dhabi, UAE, offered a fascinating insight into the integration of cycling and eSports, a rapidly growing platform where athletes compete on stationary bikes. The Middle East, known for its significant investments in the sporting world, has begun to embrace this virtual realm, with a particular emphasis on cycling. This shift has sparked a compelling debate on whether eSports could indeed shape the future of sports as we know it.
The Gulf States, especially Saudi Arabia and UAE, have made substantial progress in the professional cycling domain, hosting World Tour races and establishing state-owned teams such as Jayco-AlUla and UAE Team Emirates. Furthermore, MyWhoosh, a prominent player in the cycling eSports arena, has secured the rights to host the Indoor World Championships on their platform until 2026.
The rapid rise of eSports over the past five years has been remarkable, and the virtual racing platform for cycling has emerged as a catalyst for change. As athletes increasingly turn to this platform for training and competitive racing, an exciting new frontier has unfolded. The potential for gamifying indoor racing, a concept that is nearly impossible on traditional European roads, has aroused the interest of the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and garnered the attention of top officials like Michael Rogers, the former Tour de France rider, who now serves as the UCI’s Head of Innovations.
Akhtar Saeed Hashmi, CEO of MyWhoosh, envisions a future brimming with technological advancements and an ever-evolving eSports landscape tailored to the needs and interests of today’s youth. The incorporation of enjoyable and thrilling elements into the sport, such as wildcard entries, promises to create an immersive experience that resonates with the younger generation.
eSports has made impressive strides towards achieving mainstream recognition, with increasing calls for its inclusion in the Olympics. This trajectory has prompted avid critics of the Middle East’s involvement in sport to reassess their stance, particularly in light of its contributions to the cycling industry. The establishment of dedicated cycling tracks and the opening up of prominent locations like the YAS Marina Circuit for cycling enthusiasts are reflected in the sentiments of two-time Tour de France winner, Tadej Pogacar, who has observed the burgeoning cycling culture in Abu Dhabi firsthand.
Both casual riders and serious athletes have found common ground in Abu Dhabi’s cycling community, with an influx of enthusiasts and an innovative approach to the sport. These developments serve as a testament to the enduring appeal of cycling in the Middle East, which continues to evolve and adapt to meet the changing landscape of the sport. As the world embraces the vibrant intersection of real-life cycling and virtual aerobics, the future of sports has found a compelling new trajectory.
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