In partnership with USA Cycling and Zwift, Echelon Racing Promotions announces league and national qualification details, including equipment and performance verification requirements.
On October 23, 2023, USA Cycling announced plans for the third-annual Esports Nationals, with an Echelon Racing League qualifier series and Amateur, Elite, and Masters US National Championships.
USA Cycling will award National Championships across multiple categories, including Elite/Amateur Men’s/Women’s, Masters (35-39, 40-44, 45-49, 50-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, and 70+) Men’s/Women’s, and Collegiate Men’s/Women’s (details available at a later date) on January 6th and 7th, 2024.
Echelon Racing Promotions is taking the reins in organizing the event on the virtual cycling platform Zwift. Echelon Racing Promotions is advancing the world of cycling esports with this qualification series, marking a historic milestone as the first national-level competition to partner with the independent third-party indieVelo to validate the performance of all participating athletes to some degree, regardless of their competitive history or level.
Check out the article below for details!
Echelon Partnering with USA Cycling, Zwift, and indieVelo
The Echelon Racing League (ERL) season comprises a 6-race series, with three races scheduled before the USA Nationals and three following. The National Championship will adopt a three-race omnium format, with more details soon. The National Championship elite race serves as a qualifier for the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship.
To be eligible for the Amateur or Elite USA National Championships, racers must compete in at least one ERL race before the event and hold a valid USA Cycling license. It’s important to mention that non-national championship races are open to riders from all nationalities, and Zwift A category-enforced riders are considered elite.
In addition, there will be a raffle and prizes available to all racers and registered participants in the Echelon Racing League. The event will be broadcast on Zwift Community Live.
Echelon Racing League Qualifiers and USAC Nationals
| Event | Date | Course | Duration (km) | Laps | Total Distance (km) | Elevation (per lap in ft) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Race 1 | 12.02.23 | Bell Lap | 1.9 | 20 | 38 | 26 | Crit |
| Race 2 | 12.16.23 | Innsbruck KOM After Party | 37.2 | 1 | 37.2 | 2100 | Hill Climb |
| Race 3 | 12.30.23 | Casse-Pattes | 23 | 2 | 46 | 476 | Rolling |
| Race 4 | 01.13.24 | Wandering Flats | 25.1 | 1 | 25.1 | 476 | Time Trial |
| Race 5 | 01.20.24 | Serpentine 8 | 19 | 2 | 38 | 167 | Gravel |
| Race 6 | 01.27.24 | Libby Hill After Party | 32.9 | 1 | 32.9 | 387 | Rolling |
Echelon Racing League Dates and Times
| Race | Date | Category A | Start Time (EST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Race 1 | 12.02.23 | Women | 11:00 AM |
| Men | 11:45 AM | ||
| Race 2 | 12.16.23 | Men | 11:00 AM |
| Women | 11:45 AM | ||
| Race 3 | 12.30.23 | Women | 11:00 AM |
| Men | 11:45 AM | ||
| Race 4 | 01.13.24 | Men | 11:00 AM |
| Women | 11:45 AM | ||
| Race 5 | 01.20.24 | Women | 11:00 AM |
| Men | 11:45 AM | ||
| Race 6 | 01.27.24 | Men | 11:00 AM |
| Women | 11:45 AM |
Category B, C, D Men and Women → 10:15a EST
January 6, 2024: USA Cycling Amateur National Championships
January 7, 2024: USA Cycling Elite National Championships
2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championship Qualifier
Performance Verification
Echelon Racing Promotions, in collaboration with the indieVelo team, will oversee all aspects of qualification and championship management. The partnership has established equipment standards and is working closely with indieVelo for performance validation and oversight.
Together, Echelon and indieVelo have implemented a three-tier performance verification system. All participants in the Echelon Racing League qualifiers must meet the minimum equipment check requirements to ensure the use of accurate hardware.
Two additional tiers have been established based on the participant’s status as an elite, amateur, or age-group competitor in the National Championship. Similar to real-world testing protocols, podium finishers, and randomly selected athletes will undergo more comprehensive testing procedures.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Pre-event Requirements |
|
| Procedure for Data Submission |
|
| Automatic Verification of Athletes | Yes, Echelon Racing is coordinating with Zwift and IndieVelo to apply verification to all athletes competing in the ERL. |
| Where Pre- or Post-event Data is Sent | Zwift Power will serve as the results database for all events. |
| Timeframe for Submitting Additional Information | Racers should submit additional information within 48 hours of completing the event. |
| Dual Recording Requirement |
|
| Qualification for Elite/U23 Categories in USA Cycling Nationals | USA Cycling License holders who compete in and complete one of the first three Echelon Racing League events and meet all verification and governance requirements are eligible to compete in the USA Cycling National Championship events. |
| Eligibility for National Titles in Other Categories |
|
For more details, check out the Echelon Racing League Race Bible & FAQ page!
Project Echelon
It costs $25 to register and participate in the Echelon Racing League Series. Registration is through BikeReg.
The proceeds from the event cover the costs of performance verification and facilitation—no maximum number of entries per race.
Echelon Racing Promotions is a not-for-profit organization dedicating its profits to supporting Project Echelon Racing and the Veterans Foundation. Specifically, Echelon Racing Promotions donates 22% of its proceeds to Project Echelon, a 501c3 charity, as a tribute to the 22 veterans who tragically lose their lives to suicide daily.
In 2022, the Project Echelon Racing team achieved recognition as the highest-ranked US Continental Team. The organization provided support to 503 military veterans during the year. Through collaborations with 13 veteran non-profit organizations, Project Echelon expanded its presence in 32 states, resulting in $70,000 in donations and scholarships for veterans in 2022.
Echelon’s Eric Hill gives his thoughts on returning to Zwift and partnering with USA Cycling and indieVelo for this game changing cycling esports event. Click the image to hear more!
Visit Echelon Racing League for registration and details.
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.
