Virtual cycling esports platform indieVelo seeks to set a new standard in performance verification to ensure a fair and credible racing experience.
Credibility is essential to the viability and sustainability of virtual cycling esports and its acceptance as a trusted unique cycling discipline. The evolving sport plays out beyond the watchful eye of discerning onlookers on easily-manipulatable equipment. Several high-profile cheating scandals at the sport’s highest level have tarnished its reputation during a tenuous time in its development.
The burden is on the virtual cycling esports platforms to provide a venue of unquestionable authenticity as a foundation for growth. Cycling esports platform indieVelo emphasizes the vital importance, and its developers built the framework from the ground up with Credibility as a key pillar.
Credibility is One of indieVelo's Key Pillars
Authenticity is paramount to indieVelo, guaranteeing legitimate and confirmed athletic ability. With a robust array of anti-cheat tools fully integrated into the platform—ranging from dual-recording mechanisms to encrypted protocols, as well as an entirely server-authoritative infrastructure—indieVelo provides unparalleled precision and accuracy, ensuring consistency in the placement of every participant within the virtual space.
The developer established a solid conceptual foundation and opted for the Unity Gaming Platform as his infrastructure. This platform stands apart from those that employ proprietary software engines. Unity facilitates the development process, permitting the developer to craft straightforward and comprehensible code that he efficiently updates with novel functionalities and features. The server-authoritative structure of indieVelo guarantees a unified experience for all users, with accurate screen representations and verifiable race results.
indieVelo’s developer Dr. George Gilbert says it takes more than behind-the-scenes algorithms and integrated protocols to create a trusted, credible cycling esports platform.
“Just as with online security,” he explains, “it’s not a question of building something once and then calling it done, the landscape is constantly changing and evolving, and you need great people to be able to keep ahead.”
The Experts Behind indieVelo's Performance Verification
Gilbert, an alumnus of Cambridge University, is the architect behind the infallible global telephone network infrastructure that handles 911 emergency calls worldwide, a testament to his capability to create server software that performs flawlessly at an infinite scale. He also possesses invaluable experience as a commissaire trained by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), a prominent cycling event organizer, and a former Vice-Chairman of British Cycling’s Board of Directors.
With his recent tenure as the Chief Commissaire at several UCI Cycling Esports World Championships and the past Chairman of the Zwift Cycling Esports Commission, Gilbert holds an unparalleled understanding of athletes’ needs and the best strategies to fulfill them. This expertise led him to recruit Bjoern Ossenbrink, the former head of the Zwift Accuracy and Data Analysis (ZADA) team, and the rest of the ex-ZADA squad to operate indieVelo’s performance verification service.
Gilbert is steadfast in ensuring transparency in the platform’s operations. He is collaborating with the UCI to craft an innovative, independent platform from scratch, shaping the technology necessary to host events of Olympic magnitude.
When asked during Episode 25 of the Virtual Velo Podcast, “If there was cheating at the elite level during international events on Zwift under your tenure, what makes indieVelo different?” Dr. Gilbert gave this explanation.
“It’s about recognizing what racers are truly capable of and painting a picture of an athlete’s physiology. I designed indieVelo from the ground up with the architecture in place to monitor, assess, and develop a data bank of authentic athletic ability.”
indieVelo—Performance Verification
The platform’s proprietary data modeling understands each individual athlete’s physiology. indieVelo utilizes the Critical Power (CP) and W’ models to verify performance and ensure fairness.
A rider’s Critical Power (CP) curve represents a cyclist’s highest sustainable power output without fatigue, typically gauged over a duration range.
W-prime (W’) refers to the finite work that a rider can produce above Critical Power before fatigue sets in. Essentially, it represents a cyclist’s energy reserve for high-intensity bursts.
When monitored over time, the two data metrics create a unique signature for comparison and performance verification. In addition, indieVelo acts as a virtual coach, offering feedback on areas of focus for fitness improvement.
indieVelo—Confidence
With so much emphasis on CP/W’, a rider’s data must reflect their abilities. For indieVelo to automatically detect changes and paint an accurate picture, data from a wide range of efforts and durations is critical.
Each rider receives a Confidence Percentage based on the reliability of the data. You can find it in the HUB>Profile>Critical Power. Riders can improve confidence in their critical power curve by completing the following in-game workouts, specifically targeting critical power measurement over various intervals
- Workout “CP3 Test” —Determines a rider’s Critical Power over 3 minutes.
- Workout “CP5 Test” —Determines your Critical Power over 5 minutes.
- Workout “CP10 Test” —Determines a cyclist’s Critical Power over 10 minutes.
- Workout “FTP Test” —Helps determine a racer’s Critical Power over 20 minutes (and your FTP).
When you complete a ride, race, or training session on indieVelo, the system will automatically refine your CP Curve using the data generated. This automatic update process is consistent for all activities in the game. Rightly so, after putting yourself through the torture of those fitness tests.
indieVelo—Real World Performances
indieVelo is taking these significant steps to bulletproof the platform’s credibility with its eye on the pinnacle of cycling esports and attracting the best athletes.
indieVelo implements another layer of performance validations for cyclists striving to participate in top-tier events, notably those ranked as platinum and diamond riders. These include cross-verifying an athlete’s virtual performances with real-world event outcomes and additional tests designed explicitly for indieVelo.
indieVelo encourages elite racers to input their real-world racing license details into their profile. indieVelo accepts licenses from any National Governing Body, preferably cycling ones (e.g., British Cycling, USA Cycling), but will also consider documentation from other WADA-accredited bodies, like those for rowing, triathlon, athletics, etc.
Providing a UCI license number is mandatory for contenders setting their sights on international-level events, which will be cross-verified with UCI records to ensure consistency and accuracy.
5 Key Points About indieVelo's Performance Verification
Solid Foundation for Credibility: indieVelo is built with credibility as a cornerstone, utilizing an array of anti-cheat tools, dual-recording mechanisms, encrypted protocols, and a server-authoritative architecture to deliver accurate, consistent, and reliable race experiences.
Expertise and Transparency: Dr. George Gilbert, the developer of indieVelo and the former Chair of Esports at Zwift, leverages his experience and knowledge to ensure transparency and effectiveness in the platform’s performance verification service. He emphasizes ongoing updates and improvements to meet evolving needs.
Utilization of Critical Power (CP) and W’: indieVelo uses data modelling to understand each athlete’s capabilities, employing CP and W’ models to verify performance and promote fairness. The platform also offers feedback on fitness improvement areas.
Cross-validation with Real-World Performances: indieVelo introduces extra checks for high-ranked riders, including cross-referencing virtual performances with real-world event results and indieVelo-specific tests. Real-world racing license details and UCI license numbers are required for participation in elite events.
Dual Recording of Performance Data: The platform natively records data from both the smart trainer and power meter into a single, dual-recorded FIT file. Users can review and analyze their ride data on the dualrecording.com website, ensuring security and privacy.
indieVelo—Dual Recording
An additional layer of performance verification and legitimacy is built into how indieVelo records in-game data.
indieVelo natively consolidates data from your smart trainer and power meter into a unified dual-recorded FIT file within the game. During the pairing process, just select both your smart trainer and power meter, and the system will record data from both devices seamlessly.
To review and evaluate your indieVelo dual recordings, visit the website https://www.dualrecording.com/.
Drag and drop your FIT file from your computer into the browser while on this website to access comprehensive analytics from both power sources for each ride.
Rest assured that all analytical processing is performed securely on your local device, with no data stored or made accessible to other users.
An athlete will find their indieVelo FIT file on their computer in the following location:
- Windows: C:\users\<you>\Documents\indieVelo\<USERID>\FitFiles
- Mac: /users/<you>/indieVelo/<USERID>/FitFiles
Where “<you>” is your login name on your computer, and your “<USERID>” is a string of randomly generated letters and numbers used by indieVelo to identify your account uniquely.
Conclusion—indieVelo’s Commitment to Credibility Through Robust Performance Verification
In the evolving world of virtual cycling esports, indieVelo distinguishes itself through an unwavering commitment to credibility, transparency, and performance verification. With a sophisticated array of anti-cheat tools, a comprehensive performance verification system, and a thorough cross-validation process for elite contenders, indieVelo underscores its dedication to authenticity.
The platform’s unique approach to data modeling, which leverages Critical Power (CP) and W’ models, ensures a robust evaluation of each rider’s abilities, fostering a fair competitive environment. The automated recording of smart trainer and power meter data, coupled with an intuitive and secure analysis system, further bolsters the reliability of indieVelo. Backed by the experience and expertise of its developer, Dr. George Gilbert, indieVelo embraces the rapid evolution of the virtual cycling landscape and leads the charge in defining its future.
With the safeguards in place, it’s up to the racing community to maintain the high standard of integrity and fairness, furthering the culture of authenticity through self-assessment and education. Only then will virtual esports platforms be seen as respected venues legitimizing the unique discipline of cycling esports.
Semi-retired after more than 20 years as the owner and director of a private Orthopedic Physical Therapy practice, Chris now enjoys the freedom to dedicate himself to his passions—virtual cycling and writing.
Driven to give back to the sport that has enriched his life with countless experiences and relationships, he founded a non-profit organization, TheDIRTDadFund. In the summer of 2022, he rode 3,900 miles from San Francisco to his “Gain Cave” on Long Island, New York, raising support for his charity.
His passion for cycling shines through in his writing, which has been featured in prominent publications like Cycling Weekly, Cycling News, road.cc, Zwift Insider, Endurance.biz, and Bicycling. In 2024, he was on-site in Abu Dhabi, covering the first live, in-person UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
His contributions to cycling esports have not gone unnoticed, with his work cited in multiple research papers exploring this evolving discipline. He sits alongside esteemed esports scientists as a member of the Virtual Sports Research Network and contributes to groundbreaking research exploring the new frontier of virtual physical sport. Chris co-hosts The Virtual Velo Podcast, too.
