An interview with Zwift Team dPAC-ELITE racer, the Welsh cyclist Ed Morgan.
Hey there! Thanks for the chance to get to know you a bit better. Let's kick things off with a little intro. Can you share a bit about your background—where you're from, what you do, and what lights your fire outside of cycling?
I am 23 years old and from Wales in the UK. I am studying to become a secondary school teacher with a specialty in chemistry.
That's awesome! Now, let's dive into your cycling journey. When did you first hop on a bike competitively, and what's been your proudest moment on the road?
My first race was in 2017 as a 1st-year junior, but I have only found myself as a competitive cyclist in the last couple of years. My proudest achievement was winning the British Cycling National U23 Road Series in 2022.
Fascinating! Switching gears a bit—tell us about your transition into the world of virtual cycling esports. What got you hooked, and what's the crowning achievement of your indoor career?
During lockdown in 2020, I started using Zwift frequently, and around May, I got contacted by team dPAC when they were initially setting up the team. There’s no single crowning achievement, but what we have achieved as a team so far has made me proud.
Sounds like a wild ride! Speaking of rides, you're part of a Zwift Grand Prix esports team, right? How has being on a team shaped you, and is there something unique about your team that's led to its success?
We are from all over the world, mainly based in Western Europe, but we also have Sam and Steve, key team members from New Zealand.
Great insights! For context, could you share some of your physical stats, like your indoor personal bests for various power intervals?
I’m not 100% sure of indoor stats, but my 20-min. indoors is around 395w. Outdoors, my 20 min. power is 420w.
Impressive numbers! Looking ahead, what are your esports goals, both short-term and long-term? Is becoming the UCI Cycling Esports World Champion on your radar, and what does it mean to you?
I would like to compete at Esports Worlds; however, I have never done the qualifiers for it, and if it is not on Zwift this year, it will take some getting used to different platforms.
That's ambitious! How do you feel about the current multi-platform landscape of esports championships, both nationally and internationally?
I think swapping platforms can work as long as riders are informed well in advance to prepare for the differences that exist between different platforms.
Interesting perspective. There are skeptics who question the legitimacy of esports. What's your take on the challenges esports faces in gaining recognition and trust?
With athletes competing from home, it is always challenging to regulate things like this. It relies on having honest competitors.
Well said! With multiple platforms available for esports, where do you see yourself fitting in? Do you race on more than one platform? Are there features on one platform that you prefer over others?
I only race on Zwift. However, I have tried MyWhoosh, which has its pros and cons. I think users need to realize that it is a game and shouldn’t always expect similar physics to real life.
Good to know! What do you think could make virtual cycling more engaging for spectators?
I think if more money were available to promote it on sports TV channels, and riders were competing in an arena, it could be more engaging.
That's a thought-provoker! Looking into the crystal ball, where do you see esports in five years or even further down the line?
I think more riders will switch to esports, where they have the convenience of training without ever leaving the house.
Fantastic! Thanks for this enlightening conversation. Wishing you all the best!
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.
