AusCycling launches a new talent ID program on the virtual cycling platform Zwift to increase talent depth across all disciplines.
Australia took home seven gold medals at the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympics in 2021, including a victory by Rohan Dennis in the men’s individual time trial. Australian cycling is now looking beyond the traditional pathway for world-class cyclists, believing the next Aussie cycling legend may emerge from a pool of athletes who have never participated in competitive cycling before.
By testing candidates remotely on the virtual cycling platform Zwift, AusCycling will utilize a vast resource and expand access to potential talent. There are three available options, and no prior cycling experience is required.
Option 1: Perform a Critical Power Test at Home
Candidates need a home setup, including a bike and a compatible trainer, to transmit power data. (See the list of approved hardware here.) Zwift offers a 14-day free trial, and once the prospect sets up their account, they must link it to Zwift Power.
The 30-minute test consists of three all-out efforts of 15 seconds, three minutes, and twelve minutes, and interested athletes can perform it with others as a Zwift “AusCycling Talent identification” Group Workout (specific times) or as a Custom Workout (flexible schedule).
See the AusCycling Virtual Talent ID page for details.
Option 2: Attend an In-Person Event
AusCycling offered several live events during January (more dates and locations to come) where potential athletes can take a shorter 10-minute test on Wattbikes provided for them.
- January 4–7: Federation University Road National Championships, Ballarat, VIC
- January 12–21: Santos Tour Down Under, Adelaide, SA
Watch the space for more dates and locations!
Option 3: AusCycling Will Come to You
AusCycling is committed to opening access to as many potential superstars of tomorrow even if they don’t have the equipment or can’t make one of the live events. The organization will set up a Wattbike and Zwift for you and your friends.
Email auscyclingzwifttalentid@auscycling.org.au for details.
Option 4: Do a Zwift Race
In September 2024, test yourself by participating in three Zwift events listed below:
- Stage 1, Baseline: Tuesday, September 10, 6:00pm AEST or Thursday, September 12, 5:00pm AEST
- Stage 2, Time Trial: Tuesday, September 17, 6:30pm AEST
- Stage 3, Criterium: Tuesday, September 24, 6:30pm AEST
Who is eligible for the AusCycling and Zwift Virtual Talent ID Program?
Australian citizens falling into the following categories are eligible for consideration:
- Individuals aged 16 to 22 who do not have prior experience in high-performance sports.
- Individuals of all ages with a physical or vision impairment who are considering inclusion in the para-cycling program.
- Individuals of all ages with a background in high-performance sports indicate potential talent transfer opportunities.
These categories represent a diverse range of individuals Australian cycling actively seeks to engage and involve in their programs.
The Ultimate Goal of the AusCycling and Zwift Partnership
What happens after the tests and races?
AusCycling’s high-performance staff will carefully analyze each candidate’s data, comparing their power output to established benchmarks.
If athletes meet these benchmarks, they will receive an invitation for further in-person testing at one of AusCycling’s high-performance labs.
Successful candidates can participate in a 6-month development program with AusCycling. During this period, they will gain access to the AusCycling Development Academies, which provide coaching support and include development camps and clinics.
The program aims to pave the way for development within the organization’s performance pathway, potentially leading to scholarship support, with the ultimate goal of representing Australia and winning medals at major international events.
Zwift's Proven Track Record
It’s difficult to overlook the track record of Zwift’s talent identification portal, The Zwift Academy. In its eighth year, the Zwift Academy program is an annual competition consisting of a series of baseline rides and pre-determined structured Pro contender workouts.
Five male and five female riders compete in the Zwift Academy finals for the chance at a professional road contract. The finalists spend nearly a week living together and face off in a reality show meets team training camp format.
The men’s 2020 Zwift Academy winner, Australian Jay Vine, won two stages in three days in the 2022 Vuelta de Espana and crashed out while wearing the polka dot jersey. He topped the GC podium at the Tour Down Under in 2023, racing for UAE Team Emirates.
A Gold Medal-Winning Initiative
A strong and diverse talent pool is critical to cycling success on the world stage. Providing an easily accessible environment to introduce cycling and bike racing to a more significant number ensures the future and potential for growth and enhancement of the athlete, the individual, and the sport.
Zwift and AusCycling is a partnership forged in gold and should serve as a model for future talent identification.
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.
