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The 2025 UCI Cycling Esport World Championships delivered a thrilling finale today in Abu Dhabi, where Jason Osborne (Germany) and Mary Kate McCarthy (New Zealand) successfully defended their UCI Cycling Esport World Champion titles.
Source: Press Release
This was the second live edition of the event held at Space 42 Arena, an Esport venue where this cycling discipline made history. Over 40 international riders participated, and Tadej Pogacar, Peter Sagan, as well as UCI representatives, attended the event. For the cycling world, this competition confirms the rapid growth of cycling Esport, bringing together the best specialists in the discipline in one room to compete in front of a live audience.
Mary Kate McCarthy (New Zealand) won the women’s final with a dominant performance across all three stages, totaling 597 points. Gabriella Guerra (Brazil) placed second with 525 points, and Francesca Tommasi (Italy) finished with 478 points.
Jason Osborne (Germany) secured the World Champion title in the men’s race with 564 points. Michal Kaminski (Poland) placed second with 493 points, while Lennert Teugels (Belgium) took third place with 468 points. Both UCI World Champions each received the first prize of $15,000, from a total prize pool of $60,000.
World Champion Jason Osborne said: “To be honest, I wasn’t very happy with the first stage. The gap wasn’t what it had been in the semi-finals, and I wasn’t feeling my best, which affected me a bit mentally. But in the second stage, I started to feel more in my legs and I was really able to push and open up a gap. Every stage improved from there, and by the third, I had found my rhythm again. I went out front and worked very well.”
World Champion Mary Kate McCarthy said: “I wanted to show that everything I’ve worked on all year truly aligns with what I’ve achieved. I wanted to test myself and see what I could do, but I also had in mind that I needed to save some legs for the subsequent stages. In the end, I think I did exactly what I wanted to do. The third stage was a bit more tactical, but it also depended on what I had left in my legs. In the last stage, when Francesca went, I was pretty much at my limit. I knew I had the points to secure the title, so I was happy to see how it played out and secure a second place if possible.”
In the women’s race, McCarthy took control from the first stage, breaking away on the initial climb as the peloton split behind her. She extended her lead in Stage 2 with a perfectly timed attack at the second intermediate sprint, maintaining a steady solo gap while Tommasi and Guerra battled for the remaining points. Entering Stage 3 with a solid lead, McCarthy calmly managed the high pace and repeated attacks as small groups formed. While Tommasi and Camilla Ahlberg fought for key points, a late attack from Francesca Tommasi secured her third place overall. McCarthy’s consistent performance and disciplined approach across all three stages led her to a clear victory.
The men’s race followed an equally intense pattern. In Stage 1, Jason opened an early advantage by breaking away on a steep climb after initial attacks from Neal Fryett. Stage 2 was marked by tight sprints, with Hayden Pucker, Pawel Scierski, and Michal Kaminski vying for every point. Scierski briefly moved ahead of Jason in the stage standings before losing ground on the final climb, retaining second place in the provisional general classification. Stage 3 began at a very high pace, with Kaminski scoring many points and challenging for a podium spot. A memorable moment for fans: Lionel Vujasin caught up to Jason and won the final sprint despite a recent injury. Jason’s strong performances across all stages earned him the men’s title, with Kaminski finishing second and Lennert Teugels third.
Fair Racing and Hydration Tests
The event reinforced the commitment of the UCI and MyWhoosh to fairness and integrity in Esport competition. All athletes raced on UCI-verified Elite Justo 2 indoor trainers to ensure fair racing conditions. With all competitors gathered on-site, the UCI conducted comprehensive performance checks, hydration tests, and anti-doping procedures to ensure a fair and transparent competition.
Matthew Smithson, Director of Esport and Game Operations at MyWhoosh, stated: “This year’s UCI Cycling Esport World Championships highlighted the strength and depth of global Esport talent, and the performances seen today reflect the highest level of the discipline. The success of this event reinforces MyWhoosh’s commitment to advancing this sport and supporting its community. With record participation this year, we are confident that the momentum will continue to grow, and we look forward to expanding its reach and impact in the years to come.”
UCI President David Lappartient stated: “The event we have just witnessed confirms the excitement generated by cycling Esport. The intense three-stage format, with all athletes gathered on stage in Abu Dhabi, was once again a huge success with both riders and fans. Cycling lends itself perfectly to the Esport format, and our partner MyWhoosh has demonstrated this compatibility by organizing another remarkable edition of the UCI Cycling Esport World Championships. I congratulate the 2025 UCI World Champions as well as all competitors, and I thank MyWhoosh for making this competition so memorable.”
Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the UCI Cycling Esport World Championships is part of a series of major cycling events to be held in the United Arab Emirates. The country will also host the 2028 UCI Road Cycling World Championships, the 2028 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships, and the 2029 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, further strengthening its position as a leading global destination for cycling.
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