Runners who compete...virtually.
This is the specificity of “e-cycling” whose second French championships open this Saturday, in Soler (Pyrénées-Orientales).
The discipline, which is (still) aimed at a handful of initiates despite significant development since the Covid-19 health crisis, is literally on the border between road cycling and video games.
Between realism...
Practitioners attach their machine to a connected home trainer (device allowing you to ride on site) and then move around in a virtual universe, on a screen, whether it is a computer, a tablet or even a mobile phone.
This projection is made possible by simulation platforms like Zwift, the best known of them and official sponsor of the Tour de France Femmes.
These increasingly reflect the “physical” reality of road cycling.
“
There are fewer and fewer differences between the two disciplines.
A very strong sprinter outdoors, once he gets the hang of pedaling on a home trainer, he will be good at sprinting.
The same goes for a roller or a climber
, explains to
Figaro
Sébastien Havot, the reigning French champion.
We will say that watts per kilo take more precedence in e-cycling than “pure” watts.
This means that someone very light who still has good watts over any duration will do better than on the road.
But overall, we find the same qualities as on the road.
»
Read alsoWomen's cycling has changed gear thanks to the Tour
...and video games
On the other hand, there are so-called “technical” differences.
Certainly, there is "
no need to be comfortable in a peloton, to know how to position yourself at the right time depending on the wind"
to shine, as
Romain Malbreil, project manager "
e
-cycling” within the French Cycling Federation (FFC).
But you still have to master the specificities of the game, that is to say the aspiration and bonus system (called PowerUps).
“
All these little things [the boosts, editor’s note], you have to learn to put them at the right time to make the difference.
These are small tactical sides.
It takes a certain amount of practice time to master and that’s what allows specialists to make the difference
,” explains Sébastien Havot.
And this is why road professionals, certainly physically superior, cannot compete with the best in the discipline without special training.
Also read: Cycling: Zwift and the Tour, the new love story written for women
More entertaining racing formats
Furthermore, what changes drastically from road cycling are the race formats.
The runners, divided into divisions according to their level, compete in events as varied as they are challenging, such as the Mass Start, the Short Race, the Points Race or the Battle Royale.
This is what appeals to the participants so much.
“
From one week to the next, we are not necessarily going to have the same race format.
We are not in a routine, like in a road season
,” confides Sébastien Havot, who raced for several years at the highest amateur level.
These formats, which are in some ways reminiscent of track cycling, make the races more lively, and therefore more entertaining for the followers.
“
All the feedback I get is that it’s a cool discipline to watch.
It doesn’t last long, it’s super intense, there’s a spectacle
,” adds the member of the Hexagone structure, co-founded by Romain Malbreil.
An atmosphere between cycling and football at face-to-face events
“E-cycling” is primarily practiced remotely, everyone at home.
But some competitions are organized in person.
Like the World Championships and the French Championships.
And these events could multiply in the future as they suggest great prospects for the discipline.
“
The economic model of cycling is difficult.
And with this discipline, we have the possibility of practicing it no longer on the road but in rooms, and why not in the future in stadiums
, explains Romain Malbreil.
This could allow us to attract the public, to bring our sponsors, our guests, our supporters and to create a close relationship that we do not particularly find in standard cycling because it is difficult to access the bus, to athletes.
» Organizers and participants were (moreover) able to realize that the atmosphere was great during the face-to-face events, a bit “
between cycling and football
”.
“
It’s the feeling of being in the middle of a stadium.
When the audience starts screaming, we hear a constant noise.
Whereas on the road, we move forward and the noise is different
,” explains Sébastien Havot.
A strong point to rely on to develop “e-cycling”?
Without a doubt.
Read alsoTour de France: the laughing cow returns to the Grande Boucle
“Everything has to be created!”
»
Romain Malbreil, “e-cycling” project manager at the French Cycling Federation
Entertaining, fresh and “secure”, the discipline has (thus) many assets to grow in the coming years.
“
I have the impression of being at the very beginning of a discipline that has potential.
With the home trainer, there is the safety aspect, we are not next to cars, we are not outside in the rain...There are plenty of interests that can motivate people to practice this sport .
I tell myself that we are just at the start of something
,” says Romain Malbreil, who also helped launch the Coupe de France last year.
However, to truly take off, “virtual” cycling needs more visibility...And therefore “stars”.
“
We lack this public figure side to highlight the discipline.
French athletes in general are beginning to be known and recognized around the world in this discipline.
What would be cool would be to have structures or professional athletes who are interested in it to bring more visibility
,” estimates the “e-cycling” project manager at the FFC.
Sébastien Havot agrees: “
If professionals participate in competitions, it will attract even more attention from the public and partners.
It can be interesting to have more financial means, attract people and make the discipline known.
» For the moment, “e-cycling” is (still) in its infancy.
And that’s also what’s exciting for the pioneers.
“
Everything has to be created!”
, enthuses Romain Malbreil.
This weekend, at Soler, he will have the opportunity to see how far he has come since last year and the first French championships.