By Nile Battey
An interview with the Restart Racing p/b Alex Coh racer and British cyclist Nile Battey.
Hi there! My name is Nile Battey. I am twenty years old and of British nationality. I am currently unemployed due to a recent relocation to southern Germany. Before the move, I worked at the Stonehenge World Heritage site and part-time as a cleaner in a care home.
My life outside of cycling consists of other sports, such as running and triathlon. I also spend time ensuring my two black Labradors live their best lives.
How did I get into cycling?
Growing up, I was always encouraged to spend time in the great outdoors. As a family, we participated in all sorts of activities, such as hill walking, climbing, sailing, orienteering, skiing, swimming, and mountain biking.
It wasn’t until a summer holiday in Italy that I got bitten by the competitive bug. On a swelteringly hot August afternoon, a nine-year-old Nile was staring in total admiration at a tiny pixelated restaurant TV screen as Alistair and Jonny Brownlee took Gold and Bronze, respectively, in the London 2012 Olympic Triathlon.
So, between nine and eighteen, I was committed to becoming the best athlete I could be. This pursuit saw me compete at a National level in Running and Triathlon.
How was I introduced to cycling esports?
I can’t recall precisely when or how I discovered Zwift, but after a stress-fracture-filled 2020/21 season, I took part in my first Zwift race in March 2021. Nearing eight hundred races later, I still love it more than ever.
Why do I find Zwift appealing?
For me, there are two sides to Zwift: community and performance. There are times when they overlap. Racing or training with teammates and friends is truly one of the best experiences I have had on the bike. I am incredibly fortunate to be a part of two brilliant teams—Team BackPedal and, most recently, the Restart Racing p/b Alex Coh elite squad. If you are willing to engage and get involved, you will find that the racing community across Zwift and the multitude of Discord channels are beautiful to be involved in.
Why do I enjoy cycling esports?
You can fail and learn from it! Depending on where in the world you reside, you pay approximately $20 per month to race as much as your heart desires. It provides amazing opportunities to test, trial, develop, and refine tactics and race craft for when it really counts.
Regarding my best performances and proudest achievements on Zwift, anything with long and steep gradients is my thing, given my diminutive stature. I placed 39th in the Elite Zwift Games Climb Championships, had a few Rebel Route/legitimate Zwift KOMs, and had a masterful Restart TTT performance, which I was honored to be a part of.
What are my goals?
Looking to the future, I intend to familiarize myself with MyWhoosh ahead of the upcoming UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. I also hope to earn a spot on the Restart Racing Zwift Grand Prix team next season and other high-level events, such as the Echelon Racing League, Chasing Tour, and ZG25.
I do have goals and aspirations for IRL cycling. I’ll keep you posted on the specifics. Regarding my career outside of the physical demands of cycling, I am delighted to join The Zommunique team as a “next-gen” writer/journalist. I hope to bring a new perspective to the trajectory of cycling esports and contribute to The Zommunique’s body of work promoting the sport and its personalities.
Nile is a dedicated athlete who competes indoors for the elite Restart Racing p/b Alex Coh squad. As an enthusiastic member of the cycling esports community, he dreams of one day representing Great Britain at the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. Nile’s keen eye for the intricacies of cycling esports is undeniable.
Welcoming him onto The Zommunique’ team promises outstanding insights, analysis, and opinions. Nile’s perspective offers a valuable look into the evolving sport from an elite racer who represents the next generation of aspiring esports competitors.
