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Virtual bike races as hard as Tour de France, says expert
- Virtual cycle races take place of cancelled road races
- Big names like Chris Froome have been taking part
- Cycling data expert says virtual races are proving to be just as hard as the real thing
Virtual cycle racing is proving to be just as hard as road races such as the Tour de France, according to professional riders and a leading sports data analyst.
Races on virtual platforms such as Zwift and ROUVY have filled the void left by the cancellation of professional road races over the past few weeks, with big-name riders like Chris Froome and Olympic champion Greg Van Avermaet taking part in events such as the Digital Swiss 5, the Zwift Tour for All and the Team INEOS eRace on Zwift.
Together with a panel of cycling experts from bonusfinder.com, professional cycling coach and data scientist Philipp Diegner – who regularly analyses UCI WorldTour races – has assessed the publicly available performance data from more than 200 efforts made by pro riders in recent virtual races.
Although virtual races are up to six times shorter than road races, Diegner said they have proved to be just as difficult as road races and have caught some professionals off guard. ”The racing is short and particularly intense,” he explained. “It is 45-90 minutes of racing instead of 3-6 hours. The consequence for the riders is that there is no opportunity to save energy like they have in road races, so they have to make prolonged, all-out efforts that push them to their physical limit.
“Professionals are not necessarily used to this and it can be a shock to the system. Virtual racing is as hard as road racing; it is just that endurance is a more decisive factor in road racing, whereas virtual racing is one hour of pure, intense suffering.”
Pro rider Chris Hamilton, who rides for Team Sunweb, agreed with Diegner when he described one virtual race as “the hardest thing I have ever done”.
Diegner selected the following 10 performances as the most impressive he has seen in the professional virtual races to date.
Rider | Team | Race | Time | Speed (avg km/h) | Power (avg watts) | W/kg (avg) | Ride Info Source |
Chris Hamilton | Team Sunweb | Digital Swiss 5 Race 5 | 01:00:13 | 37.7 | 393 | 6.05 | Strava |
Filippo Ganna | Team INEOS | Digital Swiss 5 Race 2 | 00:55:17 | 48.7 | 463 | 5.51 | Strava |
James Piccoli | Israel Start-Up Nation | Zwift Tour for All Stage 3 | 01:41:56 | 42.7 | 335 | 5.2 | Zwift Companion |
Louis Meintjes | NTT Pro Cycling | Zwift Tour for All Stage 5 | 01:23:40 | 33.3 | 323 | 5.7 | Zwift Companion |
Stefan De Bod | NTT Pro Cycling | Zwift Tour for All Stage 5 | 01:23:49 | 33.3 | 357 | 5.4 | Zwift Companion |
Nicolas Roche | Team Sunweb | Digital Swiss 5 Race 3 | 01:12:11 | 27.9 | 391 | 5.51 | Strava |
Pello Bilbao | Bahrain – McLaren | Zwift Tour for All Stage 3 | 01:42:39 | 42.4 | 330 | 5.5 | Zwift Companion |
Rohan Dennis | Team INEOS | Team INEOS eRace on Zwift | 00:58:01 | 29.2 | 373 | 5.18 | Zwift Companion |
Tobias Ludvigsson | Groupama – FDJ | Digital Swiss 5 Race 4 | 00:48:00 | 46 | 428 | 5.63 | Strava |
Nicolas Roche | Team Sunweb | Digital Swiss 5 Race 3 | 00:54:17 | 29.4 | 397 | 5.59 | Strava
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Watts per kilogram is widely recognised as the most accurate barometer of effort in pro cycling. It takes the average power a rider produces over a set period of time and divides it by their weight in kilograms. The hardest road races require the winner to produce about 4/wkg over five hours. In virtual races, the winners have been nudging 6w/kg for between one hour and 1hr 45min.
Diegner said: “Chris Hamilton only finished fourth in race five of the Digital Swiss 5 but riding for one hour at 6.05w/kg is world class. He rode the last 12 minutes at 6.58w/kg, which would win him most WorldTour mountain stages.
“James Piccoli’s win on stage three of the Zwift Tour for All was a similarly amazing effort. He rode for one and a half hours at over 5w/kg and then kicked again and rode the last six minutes 25 seconds at 6.46w/kg. That’s unimaginable for amateur riders on Zwift.”
One lesson that emerged from the analysis was that the riders who are most successful on the road, such as Froome and 2019 Tour de France winner Egan Bernal, were not necessarily as effective in virtual races.
Diegner believes this was because successful road riders did not adjust to the nuances of virtual racing as well as others, but he expects them to start replicating their road success in virtual races with time and experience.
“Take Egan Bernal in the Team INEOS eRace on Zwift,” Diegner added. “He wasn’t competitive. That may be because he did not go all-out and was treating it as a training effort. But ultimately, once a rider with his capability gets used to the intensity, he will start winning like he does on the road.
“It is similar with sprints. Someone like [former three-time world champion] Peter Sagan might not get virtual racing right to begin with, but when he learns when and how to expend his power, he will start winning with the same regularity as on the road. Knowing when to start the sprint and how to reach max power in online races is a skill that has to be developed.”
Source: Latest News on European Gaming Media Network
This is a Syndicated News piece. Photo credits or photo sources can be found on the source article: Virtual bike races as hard as Tour de France, says expert
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GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Usyk Unite to Bring Boxing and iGaming Closer Together
Ready to Fight by Oleksandr Usyk and GR8 Tech have joined forces in a technological partnership that bridges the worlds of sports and innovation.
As Ready To Fight’s exclusive Partner in Tech, GR8 Tech combines its UNrivaled expertise in iGaming with RTF’s experience as the UNdisputed champion’s team to deliver solutions that push boundaries and achieve extraordinary results.
“The iGaming industry is a highly fluid environment, very similar to boxing as a competitive sport: The winners in it are strategic thinkers, relentless in preparation and flawless in execution. These qualities unite GR8 Tech and Ready to Fight by Oleksandr Usyk and serve as the foundation of our partnership, empowering GR8 Tech to help its clients achieve UNdisputed success in their own rings,” said Sergey Ghazaryan, CRO at GR8 Tech.
“Our partnership with GR8 Tech is about bringing the boxing world closer through technology and creating something new for fighters, fans, and industry leaders. We’re combining GR8 Tech’s expertise in iGaming with our vision to build a stronger, smarter platform. Together, we’ll be rolling out new features and innovations to bring people together and make the boxing experience better with great tech,” said Oleksandr Usyk, Co-Founder of Ready to Fight.
GR8 Tech’s top-tier Sportsbook and iGaming platform stands out for its scalability, precision, and exceptional performance – qualities that align with Usyk’s UNwavering drive and UNstoppable track record. Just as Ready To Fight by Usyk wins the global boxing market, GR8 Tech excels with UNparalleled event coverage, sophisticated margin management, and a geo-specific approach, providing everything operators need to achieve extraordinary success in any market.
Ready to Fight’s mission to merge technology with boxing comes to life through GR8 Tech’s advanced platform. By leveraging GR8 Tech’s technological expertise, RTF meets the high operational standards of iGaming leaders. Both brands share a data-driven, innovative approach, empowering their audiences to break boundaries and achieve UNprecedented success at the intersection of sports and technology.
This UNdisputedly GR8 partnership marks the start of an exciting 2025, bringing digital activations, exclusive merch, and a groundbreaking product tech collaboration. Stay up-to-date with all the latest news by following GR8 Tech on its website and LinkedIn.
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Fandoms and Passions: New SuperAwesome Research Demystifies Gen Alpha and Gen Z for Brands
– Study of almost 4,000 Gen Alpha/Z respondents reveals how brands can best engage the vital but elusive kid and teen audience –
SuperAwesome, the leading youth technology and insights provider, has launched a groundbreaking in-depth study into the passions and fandoms that enable brands and IP owners to forge deeper connections with young audiences.
Kids and teens remain a vital but elusive audience. They shift across a hyper-fragmented media landscape, immersed in (and defining) cultures that move faster than ever before. The long-standing challenge of data scarcity relating to under-18 audiences makes connecting meaningfully with them incredibly difficult for brands.
Conducted among 3,750 under-18s and their parents across the US, UK and Germany, the new research provides critical insights to help brands decode the passions and fandoms that fuel youth audiences. Launched today at the London Toy Fair, ‘Fandoms & Passions: The Antidotes to Hyper-Fragmented Youth Audiences’ reveals that meaningful and lasting relationships are developed throughout childhood and teenhood that impact brand loyalty in this timespan and beyond.
Kate O’Loughlin, CEO of SuperAwesome, said: “The fragmentation of kids’ and teens’ digital behaviors continues to grow, yet the insights on how to engage them have been limited to rudimentary observations of what they interact with online – without understanding the WHY. We conducted this research to uncover the complex drivers of how brands can build real resonance with young audiences.”
Fandoms and Passions – What’s the Difference?
Passions are hobbies or interests (think gaming, sports, or music). They’re important for self-discovery and shaping individual perspectives, and are primarily focused on the personal connection with an activity or interest. Tapping into passions gives an instant connection to young audiences on a personal level.
Fandoms can elevate this further by adding a social dimension. They’re built around community or consumable content that unites people (think particular video games, film franchises, or a musician, for example). They allow kids to be part of a collective, creating a sense of community and belonging. This shared experience strengthens their connection to the fandom and the brands that interact with them authentically.
How Important Are Fandoms and Passions Really?
3 in 5 kids engage with their passions daily, and 56% of kids engage with their fandoms daily. On average, young people have 4 passions but only 2 fandoms at any given time due to the social and potential financial investment fandoms require. More than half (55%) of those surveyed said their top fandom had an enormous influence on their daily lives, rating its impact at least 9 out of 10.
How Do Fandoms and Passions Translate Into Engagement Opportunities with Gen Alpha & Gen Z?
Young audiences are naturally drawn to brands that reflect their values: 74% say they feel more connected to brands that share their passions, while 73% feel more positive about brands that collaborate with something or someone they’re a fan of. Not every brand can create a fandom, but it is possible to leverage passions and collaborate with fandoms to maximize the potential of understanding and connecting with young people.
Kate O’Loughlin, CEO of SuperAwesome added: “With this research, making safe connections to Gen Alpha and Gen Z can be as sophisticated as they are. The ability to take an audience-based approach with youth – rooted in a comprehensive understanding of their values, passions and emotions – is a necessary leap forward to meet the challenge of engaging kids and teens as they rapidly evolve.”
The research highlights that brands that are looking to connect with youth audiences cross-platform can begin with understanding their deep interests, emotional engagement and commitment. 47% of respondents watch content (like on YouTube) and shows (on streaming platforms) related to their fandoms, plus 22% also play games, use apps or buy merchandise related to the fandoms too.
Far from trying to exclude brands from their fandoms and passions, the research shows that 67% of young people think brands could do more to connect with them. It’s up to brands to make sure they do this with a deep understanding of their audience, enabling them to engage with meaning and authenticity.
Download the full report at this link: superawesome.com/identities-fandoms-and-understanding-youth-audiences/
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iGX and Optimove Announce Report on the Transformative Impact of Gamification and AI in the iGaming Industry
iGX, a leading voice in the iGaming industry, and Optimove, the #1 CRM Marketing platform for iGaming and sports betting operators, announce the release of a report exploring the transformative role of gamification and Generative AI (Gen AI) in the iGaming industry. This comprehensive study highlights the trends, strategies, and innovations shaping the future of iGaming, providing valuable insights for operators navigating this rapidly evolving landscape.
Methodology:
iGX Insights surveyed 100 Heads of Marketing, CMOs, Brand Directors, and similar executives from iGaming organizations across Europe to find out how the industry is continuing its gamification efforts and the impact AI is having on iGaming.
Key Findings Previewed
The forthcoming report reveals critical insights into how gamification and AI are revolutionizing player engagement, retention, and overall gaming experiences:
- Gamification’s Universal Adoption: The report highlights that 100% of surveyed iGaming operators have implemented gamification strategies, underscoring its universal adoption. Popular elements such as achievements, tournaments, and personalized challenges have proven effective in driving player activity and loyalty.
- Generative AI’s Growing Role: With 61% of operators already deploying Gen AI solutions and 39% planning to do so, AI is reshaping iGaming. Applications such as personalized promotions, automated content creation, and predictive analytics are driving hyper-personalization and streamlining operations.
- Data-Driven Personalization: The study emphasizes the increasing importance of player data in tailoring experiences. Organizations that leverage data insights effectively can deliver highly targeted content, predict player behavior, and optimize engagement strategies.
Industry Implications
The report positions gamification and AI as pivotal to the future of iGaming, enabling operators to deliver immersive, personalized experiences. By integrating these technologies, organizations can foster deeper player loyalty, enhance lifetime value, and remain competitive in a dynamic market. However, the study also addresses the challenges of data analytics and ethical use, which will be critical for sustained success.
As noted by Pini Yakuel, CEO of Optimove, “Gamification and Generative AI are no longer optional strategies—they are essential for operators looking to thrive in today’s competitive iGaming landscape. This report provides a roadmap for leveraging these tools to enhance player engagement and deliver meaningful, data-driven experiences.”
Added Gabriela Martins da Silva, Content Director iGX, “It’s important to note that implementing Generative AI solutions successfully also requires a strong data foundation. Any gaps in data can lead to inaccurate results, introducing potential risks when deploying these technologies. That said, it’s clear that AI is poised to become a cornerstone of the gaming industry, and the number of companies leveraging Generative AI will only increase in the coming years.”
The post iGX and Optimove Announce Report on the Transformative Impact of Gamification and AI in the iGaming Industry appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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