An interview with Zwift Team NeXT eSports pb Enshored racer and podcaster, Great Britain’s Hollie Burgin.
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 very proud to be from Yorkshire. I live in a small market town called Skipton on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. It’s an amazing place to live, so peaceful, and in summer, sometimes it stops raining enough to go ride up the hills, and the views are just outstanding.
I am a mum to two amazing children.
I work in a secondary school as a special needs teaching assistant, which I love. The moment a student says, “Oh, I get it now,” and that lightbulb moment—that’s worth its weight in gold. I’m lucky that I can commute by bike along a beautiful canal path. I must watch out for the swans and people stealing my local legends!!
I spend a lot of time in Watopia, but when I grab my passport and venture outside, where the graphics are amazing, I sometimes like to swim, run, and do acro, which is so much fun!
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?
I joined Zwift at the start of the lockdown when COVID-19 hit in the Democratic Republic of Yorkshire. We were only allowed out for exercise once a day, so I would run outside and then Zwift inside. I soon found that Zwift races existed and have been hooked ever since.
My proudest moment on the road is tricky because I don’t race outside, so I’d say when I did my first 100km ride with some friends in France. That was a milestone for me realizing that I could cycle that far and enjoy it too.
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?
I didn’t really have a transition from outdoors to indoors as I never race outdoors. Unless you’re ahead of me then I’m like a bull to a red rag, and I’ll chase you down, haha!! But what really has me hooked is the team support and having people believe in me when I doubt myself.
I am so very lucky in that respect that I have amazing Zwift friends. My awesome NeXT eSport pb Enshored teammates are so supportive, and I’m very lucky to be racing with them. They have a lot of experience and are always there for advice or help. I can’t thank them enough.
Most already know this, but my crowning achievement was getting the women’s record for the most team time trials in a day which is 15. I didn’t even know it was a record or that there was a record until the next day, I did it because I love TTT’s and the encouragement we all give each other.
I have to say a huge thank you to Team DIRT, Coalition, and Rhino Racing for their help that day. I didn’t set out to do so many, but someone else was also doing the same thing as me, Chris Hill, known as Chilly. He just kept sending me race passes for the DIRT teams, and I said yes and joined.
Despite never having raced with any of them before, they were so welcoming, and I am super grateful they were so inclusive and kept me going when my legs were screaming and I was questioning my life choices. Everyone I raced with that day was epic, and I am super grateful.
Since then, many things happened, I was on The Wrap, which was an amazing but nerve-wracking experience, following that, my friend Dustin and I now do a podcast called “Watopian Weekly,” which you can find on Spotify. https://discord.gg/XfM64hzJ is our Discord server, where you can find all the chats and links.
I really want people to realize that they can do awesome things and take a chance, and you never know what opportunities it may lead to.
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?
I am incredibly lucky to have had the chance to race the Zwift Grand Prix with NeXT eSport pb enshored. It’s an opportunity I didn’t think would ever be available. I remember watching it last year and thinking that looks insane, and then here I am, going under the banners and being in the pen with amazingly strong ladies, I was in awe. Everyone has been so helpful, and I am so grateful to my teammates at NeXT for their never-ending help and advice.
Great insights! For context, could you share some of your physical stats, like your indoor personal bests for various power intervals?
I am improving my stats all the time, but currently, I am really proud of my 1 minute, which is 482 watts, and my FTP which is 274 watts. I have to give a mention to everyone who has DS me in a race because I have a heap more watts when I have someone in my ear saying I can do this. I think everyone values the DS in races.
You will find Hollie’s ZwiftPower profile here and her Strava here.
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?
My goal is to keep getting stronger overall. My short-term goals include gaining more experience by participating in the Zwift Games, and long term, to be competitive in elite racing. I aim to be a great teammate as well, helping others, particularly those who doubt themselves, to start racing on Zwift at whatever level they are at. I have never imagined what it would be like to race at the world champs level; just being in such a race would be a massive achievement.
I have always been proud to race with NeXT and with DIRT in community races. Being female allows me to race in mixed or ladies-only categories. Each has its own challenges, and the races differ. I believe some ladies are apprehensive about racing in mixed categories, but it has made me stronger, and the support and encouragement from everyone are tremendous.
I like the Zwift racing.app category system, and the DIRT racing series uses this – www.dirtracingseries.com . It means women can be just as competitive alongside the guys.
In races, I want to try tactics and things out, sometimes it works, and sometimes it doesn’t, but it’s always fun trying. One day I might get in a breakaway and win!!
That's ambitious! How do you feel about the current multi-platform landscape of esports championships, both nationally and internationally?
I think anything that gets people doing exercise and finding the support and friendships I have can only be a good thing. It’s massive for mental health, and the benefits are huge. I don’t really have an opinion on the other platforms that aren’t Zwift because I haven’t tried them, but I can’t see any negatives if it gets people racing and competing.
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?
There are always people who have a negative view of absolutely everything in life. We can only tell them about our experiences and let them make their own judgments. They are the ones missing out. In terms of gaining trust, this would involve stamping out cheaters, which is a complex issue.
We must remember that not everyone cheats intentionally, and we rely on technology and equipment that might not always function correctly. When people are accused of cheating, it’s important to remember that they are human too, and they may not be aware of it.
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 am definitely a proud Zwifter. I literally have the t-shirt and even some stickers. That’s not to say I wouldn’t try other platforms, I am just so used to the roads in Watopia.
Good to know! What do you think could make virtual cycling more engaging for spectators?
This is a tricky one, but I think commentators do an excellent job of bringing races to life, especially when they talk about the individual racers and make them seem relatable. For a long time, and actually I still do, I’ve looked up to these amazing ladies racing at the highest level and wondered, ‘How can I be like those ladies?’ And now, I’m racing in the same races as them. They are all so inspiring, and I thank them for that.
That's a thought-provoker! Looking into the crystal ball, where do you see esports in five years or even further down the line?
Hopefully, we’ll see more ladies’ races with bigger fields in all categories. I’d love to see races that incorporate tactics, like the ladder series, which are great for team strategies and a lot of fun too. I’d like to see more people get involved and for there to be more exposure, such as having the races broadcast on TV.
Intriguing! Now, for a fun twist—give us an exclusive. What's something about you that even your mates don't know?
I would probably say I actually love cycling up hills when I’m outside—it’s the opposite on Zwift!!
Wow, that's a juicy tidbit! Before we wrap up, is there anything else you'd like to share with us?
I love riding and racing on Zwift and value all my teammates. For everyone out there thinking they aren’t good enough, talk to your team and keep going. You absolutely are awesome, and sometimes the hardest thing to do is get your kit on and pedal.
I am usually the heaviest in ladies’ races. On Zwift, the weight-to-watts algorithm makes it hard for heavier riders to race uphill. Recently, I did a race and realized that I should not let weight define my performance. I want to inspire those who think, ‘I can’t do that, I’m too heavy,’ or ‘I’m not good enough to race’… you are good enough! It takes a lot, and it’s not easy. You must persist and find ways to race to your strengths, but never give up. You can do this, and you’re much stronger than you think.
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.
