- February 24, 2022
- One Comment
A bit of background and insight from the guys to help you get pumped for the big race!
The 2022 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships will take place on February 26, 2022. The race will cover 2.5 laps of Zwift’s New York Knickerbocker route. The racers will conquer two complete circuits of the 22.5km route before finishing at the top of the New York KOM.
Matt Gardiner
Director Sportif
Des Moines, Iowa
CPA – Auditor
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for 5 years. I have my local TT course record – a pancake flat 12km course, which I covered in 14:11 (an average speed of 31.5mph)! My most notable virtual finish was 3rd place in the very first Zwift Pro/Am Race – The Apple Lap!
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
I’m so honored to be a part of this 2021 UCI eSports World Championship team as a director. Having many friends and teammates who will be competing in the event makes me so excited to have a part of the process, and to be able to help guide them to victory on race day, and ensure we go into the race prepared with the best plan that we can.
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
My experience in eSports and knowledge of this game in particular, Zwift. I’ve have over 107,000km logged in-game and 2,750 hours. I know the how to read races, conserve energy, and get to the finish for the absolute best chance at victory. I can’t wait to be in the ear of this team and be an extra set of eyes on race day.
You’ll find Matt’s ZwiftPower profile here!
Kevin Bouchard-Hall
Velocio
Westport, NY
Physical Therapist
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for 25 years. My most notable road finish was 2nd 2003 Univest GP, and my best virtual finish was 2022 Tour de Gila in Project Echelon Series.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
I have been an active racer and community member on Zwift since the start and it feels like validation that I know how to play and race the game.
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
I consider myself a tactically smart rider and do well in attritional races with punchy efforts. I think I can be there at the end to give our team leader the best chance at winning.
J Bruhn
NeXT p/b Enshored
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Construction Project Manager
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for a few months. My most notable and only road race was a crit. It was terrifying and I never tried it again! 4th at the worlds continental qualifier was by far my biggest virtual result.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
It means so much, its hard to put it into words. I have been a huge fan of cycling for so long but never considered myself a cyclist. So to be here now and to have this opportunity is surreal and I am soaking it all in and having a blast!
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
I am a punchy rider, I am not going to blow anyone away with some of my pure wattage numbers but I have a habit for being in the right place at the right time and using what power I do have to sneak in the occasional win. I am not much of a climber but hopefully the NYC climb will suit me better than other climbs.
You’ll find J’s ZwiftPower profile here.
Zach Nehr
NeXT p/b Enshored
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Freelance writer and cycling coach
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for 7 years. My most notable road finish was 2nd place Overall at the 2019 Cascade Cycling Classic. My best virtual finish was 1st place in Race 5 of the Zwift Men’s Premier Division 2021-22 Season 1.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
It is an honor to represent the United States, and pull on the National Team jersey for the first time in my cycling career. That has been a dream of mine since I started riding the bike, and for it to come true in the virtual world is quite surreal.
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
My biggest strength is that I ride for my team before I ride for myself. I can use my strengths as an all-rounder and breakaway rider to set up the faster finishers, and in Team USA, I couldn’t be more confident if it comes down to a final sprint.
Spencer Seggebruch
Canyon
St. Louis, Missouri
Investment Manager
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for 12 years. I was the 2021 USA National Track Champion in Team Pursuit. My best virtual finish was winning a ZRL Premier Division race.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
Riding with Team USA in the virtual world is sort of surreal, who knew this would even be possible! It will be an exciting change up from the normal premier division rosters.
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
I read races well, tactical prowess. This race will most likely be down to who can go up the final KOM the fastest, I don’t really have a horse in that race (along with many others), so I hope to be able to give us some options to win outside the final KOM, I’ll be watching for others with the same idea.
Patrick Walle
NeXT p/b Enshored
Nashville, Tennessee
Musician / Cycling coach
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for 11 years. I was the 2015-2017 Tennessee State Road Race champion. I also came in 4th in the Premier Division season 2 in 2021.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
Team USA- enough said! Competing as a team for our Nation is the highest honor and I’ve never been more motivated!
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
I read races well, tactical prowess. This race will most likely be down to who can go up the final KOM the fastest, I don’t really have a horse in that race (along with many others), so I hope to be able to give us some options to win outside the final KOM, I’ll be watching for others with the same idea.
Jadon Jaeger
NeXT p/b Enshored
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Structural Engineer
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for 10 years. I was the Masters National Champion in 2017 (criterium), 2019 (time trial), and 2021 (time trial). My best virtual finish was winning the USA Cycling team qualification race and winning the overall title in the Echelon Racing League this year.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
It’s a huge honor to be able to represent the USA. I think it is a goal for a lot of athletes to be able to represent their country. I feel extremely blessed that I get that opportunity for a second time.
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
I’m a big diesel engine with a lot of raw watts so I hope I am able to utilize that on the rolling terrain of the NYC course. I will use that strength however and whenever it is needed in the moment during the race.
Brian Duffy Jr
NeXT p/b Enshored
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
Business strategy & finance director
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for 1 year. My best virtual finish was Winning a ZRL Premier Division race and finishing 2nd at UCI World Champ North American qualifier.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
Incredible honor to represent a nation, but also a signal that esports are on the rise. When I started, never imagined USA Cycling and UCI would be involved in sanctioning and promoting races
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
Versatility — strong puncheur that can climb with the best under 5 minutes and sprint.
You’ll find Brian’s ZwiftPower profile here .
Ryan Larson
Saris/No Pinz
Galloway, New Jersey
Test and Integration Engineer for United States Air Traffic Control system
I’ve been a competitive cyclist for about 4 and a half years. My best road finish was first place in the Tour of the Catskills in 2019 . My best virtual finish was 9th overall in the 2020 UCI Esport world championship.
What does competing for Team USA mean to you?
It means everything. There is no better feeling than putting on the Stars and Stripes and representing the country you love.
What is your strength and what do you hope to bring to the team?
My strength is having a 1-3 minute power puts me in the top tier of the racers competing in the worlds race. That along my experience of over 650 races will help the team tactically get team USA in a position to get a podium finish.
Brian Hodges
Wahoo Le Col
Shoreline, Washington
Good luck to all the men and women who have qualified to represent their country.
Your Words of Encouragement for Team USA!
Let them know! Comment below! Cheer the guys on!
For more insight into the elite esports scene and check out the Women’s team go to the Esports page of The ZOM!
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Semi-retired as owner and director of his private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice after over 20 years, Chris is blessed with the freedom to pursue his passion for virtual cycling and writing. On a continual quest to give back to his bike for all the rewarding experiences and relationships it has provided him, he created a non-profit. Chris is committed to helping others with his bike through its work and the pages of his site.
In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to New York to support the charity he founded, TheDIRTDadFund. His “Gain Cave” resides on the North Fork of Long Island, where he lives with his beautiful wife and is proud of his two independent children.
You will read him promoting his passion on the pages of Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. Chris is co-host of The Virtual Velo Podcast, too!
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