Could the collaboration between the virtual cycling platform ROUVY and the WorldTeam Lidl-Trek alter how professional cycling teams conduct race route reconnaissance?
The days of pro team principals reconning race routes with third-party apps like VeloViewer and Google Maps Street View may be coming to an end.
“At the moment we’re dropping our little Google Maps man and walking some of the roads, so to have the roads filmed and readily available to ride will really help … and it’ll help the climbers be able to feel the climbs and different gradients, and also for sprint finishes, you can get more of a feel for how much a road is uphill/downhill, if there are corners, and I think that’ll be a really big advantage for us,” says Lidl-Trek rider Elynor Backstedt.
On January 8, 2024, the indoor cycling app ROUVY announced its technical partnership with the UCI WorldTeam Lidl-Trek. The collaboration with ROUVY will equip Lidl-Trek riders with a cutting-edge training tool for indoor sessions. ROUVY’s real-world riding environment and comprehensive data support will enable a more precise approach to racing.
Antonin Parma, Product Experience Director at ROUVY, said of the platform’s first sponsorship of a UCI WorldTeam, “We’re absolutely thrilled to embark on this groundbreaking partnership with Lidl-Trek. At ROUVY, we pride ourselves on bringing the most realistic cycling experience to our users, and this collaboration takes it to a new level.”
ROUVY elevates realism in the virtual cycling world with its state-of-the-art Augmented Reality (AR) feature. This technology integrates 3D riders into actual video footage, bridging the gap between the virtual and physical worlds.
ROUVY aims to enhance social engagement by enabling riders to join the Lidl-Trek pros in an immersive experience set in actual video locations. ROUVY offers a selection of over 1,000 AR routes spanning 45 countries, encompassing 30,000 km and 622,000 m of elevation.
“By meticulously recording the Down Under Tour routes in Australia, we’ve provided Lidl-Trek with unparalleled training opportunities on authentic terrains,” says Parma.
Throughout the year, ROUVY intends to assist the Lidl-Trek team by adding various famous cycling routes, including UCI race courses, Spring Classics, and iconic Grand Tour courses like La Vuelta.
That is of significant strategic importance to Steven De Jongh, Sports Director at Lidl-Trek, who states, “ROUVY is unique in the world of indoor training apps, as it offers the chance to take a better look at roads and routes that are used for many of our races. Race preparation comes not only from training, but also from detailed knowledge of routes and pitfalls. That’s why an app like ROUVY can hold a strategic importance and advantage that few others have.”
In addition, ROUVY users can expect the following updates to the platform:
- New TREK Madone Bike: Starting January 1, the iconic TREK Madone bike is available for all ROUVY users to ride on the platform. In February, it will become a virtual garage item attainable through in-game coins. ROUVY also expects to introduce other TREK bike models during this period.
- Virtual Lidl-Trek Jersey: Commencing January 8, users can proudly don the exclusive Virtual Lidl-Trek jersey during races, showcasing their support for the renowned cycling team.
- Training Plan by Lidl-Trek: A comprehensive training plan designed by Lidl-Trek’s performance experts will be available on ROUVY, allowing users to train like the pros and improve their performance.
- Leaderboards: Follow in the tire tracks of Lidl-Trek riders and compare your times on the routes they have conquered. You might even bump into them on the road.
- Events with Lidl-Trek Athletes: Watch for special events featuring Lidl-Trek athletes. While specific dates and athlete names are yet to be confirmed, users can anticipate engaging with their cycling idols in various exciting events.
- Down Under Challenges: Embark on the Down Under Challenge on ROUVY for a chance to win one of three signed Lidl-Trek jerseys. This unique opportunity adds an extra layer of excitement to the virtual cycling community.
Also Read: Virtual Velo Network 2023 Year-In-Review
The partnership is the latest in a series of moves solidifying ROUVY’s place on the virtual cycling landscape. The platform rolled out a significant update on October 30, 2023, featuring a revamped UI/UX dashboard and enhancements to the core riding experience.
This update reflects nine months of meticulous preparation for the upcoming winter indoor training season. It brings a host of enhancements to the core user experience, video playback, and overall technical performance. The app’s redesigned appearance features a sleeker, crisper, and more contemporary look and a refreshed color scheme, underscoring its commitment to resource optimization and future progress.
The Lidl-Trek partnership shines a spotlight on ROUVY’s strength, the immersive realism of virtual riding. Will the technical advantage be what the team seeks to give them a competitive edge?
It could be a bit of a game-changer. Watch this space. There are more details to come!
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.
