Industry News
Virtual bike races as hard as Tour de France, says expert
![Virtual bike races as hard as Tour de France, says expert](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/virtual-cycling.jpg)
- 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
|
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.”
Industry News
iGB L!VE announce LaunchPad, a new feature for start-ups with ‘innovation in their DNA’
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/igblive.jpg)
Industry professionals attending July’s edition of iGB L!VE will have access to a vibrant new feature which will showcase ground-breaking tech and innovation courtesy of the brightest start-ups and small businesses in gaming.
The iGB L!VE LaunchPad (Pulse Stage: 18 July 16.30hrs – 18.00hrs) will feature five companies to present their innovations to a panel of judges with each presentation followed by a probing Q&A session designed to interrogate the viability and commercial prowess of each product pitch.
Introducing the new feature Portfolio Director Naomi Barton, said: “iGB L!VE is constantly evolving in order to meet the business needs of stakeholders. The research programme that we undertake with customers has consistently highlighted a shared desire to always be ahead of the curve, being the first to access the very latest innovations from the start-up community is part of what iGB L!VE 2024 will deliver.
“In addition, we want to provide a platform for new talented businesses to grow by giving them extra exposure in front of an influential C-Level audience of industry investors and influencers.
“The top five products will be hand-selected by the iGB L!VE team and invited to present from the Pulse Stage. In order to help these businesses, we are providing cash prizes of £5,000 for the winner, £2,500 for second place and £1,000 for third.”
She continued: “We will be giving the feature an authentic iGB L!VE twist with the emphasis on competitive fun. To ensure this, I am delighted to confirm that 25+ year industry veteran and non-exec Clarion Gaming Chairman Michael Caselli has agreed to be our MC and will also head a panel of judges drawn from across the iGB L!VE community of industry professionals, investors and sponsors.
“Start-ups and small businesses which have innovation in their DNA can sign up for iGB LaunchPad at igblive by the 28 June deadline.”
iGB L!VE is the home of the igaming community and the only event that connects the leading igaming affiliates, operators, tech vendors, game providers and suppliers in order to maximise performance and drive tangible business growth in the following 12-18 months. iGB L!VE, which is the fastest growing igaming event, delivers unparalleled business opportunities with attendees having free access to in excess of 300 exhibitors and sponsors occupying 21,000+ square metres of gross space, a figure which is 35% higher than in 2023.
For more information on iGB L!VE (16-19 July 2024: Expo Days 17-18 July) and to register for free visit: igblive website
Industry News
Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2024 Features Mr. First Ray by Endorphina
![](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/9-1.jpg)
The Ortak x B.F.T.H. Arena Awards 2024 welcomes Endorphina among other top game developers with its Mr. First Ray, a mystical slot game that captures the essence of dawn.
This year’s competition has seen an unprecedented increase in participation, receiving over 100 submissions from more than 70 developers involved in the innovative Ortak initiative. This platform not only promotes collaboration and innovation but also integrates gaming stakes with NFTs on the Bahamut blockchain, thereby broadening investment prospects in the iGaming sector.
Mr. First Ray transports players into a world where each spin can lead to magical wins and enchanting surprises, making it a standout in this year’s entries. As the event approaches, excitement mounts among industry professionals keen to explore this showcase of creativity and excellence in game development, scheduled from July 1 to 4.
Hosted by BetConstruct, the B.F.T.H. Arena Awards provides a prestigious platform for developers to exhibit their creativity and compete for a share of the substantial 3,333,000 FTN prize pool. This year, the event has broadened its scope, introducing new award categories to further celebrate innovation in gaming.
The culmination of the event will see the winners announced at the B.F.T.H. Arena x Harmony Meetup V, ensuring an exhilarating experience for all attendees.
Industry News
SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP TO PROVIDE EURO 2024 CONTENT HUBS FOR LEADING BOOKMAKERS
![SPOTLIGHT SPORTS GROUP SUPERFEED IN-PLAY CONTENT PROVEN TO INCREASE BETTING ENGAGEMENT BY 20%](https://europeangaming.eu/portal/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/spotlight-coral.jpg)
Spotlight Sports Group (SSG), a world-leading technology, content, and media company specialising in sports betting, has partnered with both William Hill and Betfred to deliver content hubs for Euro 2024.
The upcoming international tournament provides a prime opportunity for operators to generate revenue, and Spotlight Sports Group assists in that right through industry-leading content hubs. SSG Content Hubs allow sportsbooks in any territory the chance to offer a premium and rich content experience, without the technical burden.
The end-to-end product and content solution provided by SSG includes expert editorial, data and statistics that are delivered across multiple formats and customisable for individual bookmaker websites. Designed and created in-house, the specific event hubs allow customers to provide interactive betting experiences, compatible across all devices and include live odds and add-to-bet-slip functionality.
In addition, the content hub provides a Best Bet widget that features daily accumulators and Bet Builder picks, as well as the best daily offers and enhanced odds from the bookmaker partners. Video tipping content is also available for every match, as is a scouting report for every team and every fixture, highlighting the most popular players for Bet Builder selections.
Lee Phelps, William Hill Spokesperson said: “The Euros is one of the biggest tournaments around for bettors, and having Spotlight Sports Groups content hubs, means we can provide a real experience for our customers throughout the tournament with editorial, bet prompts and data”.
Mark Hartley, Head of Sports Product at Betfred, was similarly pleased with the deal: We’re delighted to partner with SSG ahead of Euro 2024. We’re excited by the opportunities it brings to us ahead of one of our busiest periods of the year as a bookmaker.”
Sam Houlding, Spotlight Sports Group’s Managing Director of B2B, has shared his excitement at partnering with two of the UK’s leading bookmakers: “It’s great to have two of our key partners taking our content hubs for the biggest tournament of the year. Our content has a proven record of driving revenue, and as it is available in any language globally it appeals to customers all around the world”.
Spotlight Sports Group’s Content Hubs are proven to drive revenues with a rich content experience for betting audiences.
-
Australia6 days ago
SCCG Management Announces Strategic Partnership with PlaySpark to Enhance Audience Retention and Acquisition through Gamified White-Labeled Arcade Games
-
Baltics6 days ago
DATA.BET Wins in “Best Esports Service Provider” Category at Baltic & Scandinavian Awards 2024
-
Asia6 days ago
Meridianbet Reaffirms a Strong B2B Portfolio at SiGMA Asia
-
Gambling in the USA6 days ago
Gaming Americas Weekly Roundup – June 3-9
-
Balkans6 days ago
CT Gaming’s Newest Multigame ‘Tower Link’ has been officially certified for Bulgaria and Georgia
-
Asia6 days ago
BK8 Partners with Badminton World Federation
-
Balkans6 days ago
Evoplay bolsters Bulgarian outreach with Sesame collaboration
-
eSports6 days ago
Esports World Cup and The Esports Awards Announce Three-year Partnership