A chance to ride alongside cycling legends Chris Froome and Alberto Contador in a virtual showdown on the indoor cycling app BKOOL.
Cycling fans, both virtual and real-world enthusiasts, will have the chance to ride alongside legends Chris Froome and Alberto Contador as they rekindle their iconic rivalry in a simulated showdown.
On Monday, November 25th, at 18:30 CET, these legendary riders will face off in a unique event hosted on the BKOOL virtual cycling platform, allowing fans to be a small part of one of cycling’s most compelling rivalries by joining the ride themselves.
For Contador, the event is a trip down memory lane, reflecting, “The battles against Chris were always very tough. What surprised me the most were his final attacks after Sky had worked very hard. I’m delighted that we’re going to meet again, this time at BKOOL.”
Relive The Rivalry in the Virtual World
The event, part of the 2024 Giro d’Italia Virtual, allows amateurs to share the digital peloton with Froome and Contador, creating an unforgettable experience for participants and viewers that likely won’t come along again anytime soon.
The ride will take place on the third stage of our Giro d’Italia Virtual 2024: Riccione – Cento: San Pietro in Casale – Cento, making it a historic milestone for cycling. Never before have Chris Froome and Alberto Contador competed head-to-head in the Corsa Rosa.
A Rivalry That Entertained a Cycling Era
Chris Froome and Alberto Contador have shared some of the most dramatic battles in cycling history. From the Alps to the Pyrenees, their clashes in the Tour de France and Giro d’Italia were legendary.
Froome, known for his relentless pacing and powerful team strategy with Sky, often found himself squaring off against Contador, whose daring attacks and tactical brilliance set him apart.
Froome’s Major Career Highlights:
- Four-time Tour de France winner (2013, 2015, 2016, 2017)
- Giro d’Italia winner in 2018
- Renowned for his resilience and consistency in Grand Tours
Contador’s Major Career Highlights:
- Two-time Tour de France winner (2007, 2009)
- Three-time Giro d’Italia winner (2008, 2011, 2015)
- Famous for his “dancing on the pedals” climbing style
While their head-to-head battles often tilted in Froome’s favor, Contador’s flair and unpredictability made every encounter memorable.
Head-to-Head: From Real Roads to Pixelated Parcours
The rivalry between Froome and Contador has spanned numerous epic encounters, including:
- 2013 Tour de France: Froome claimed victory in dominant fashion, while Contador struggled to match the pace set by Team Sky.
- 2015 Giro d’Italia: Contador’s tactical brilliance earned him the pink jersey, with Froome absent from the competition.
- Vuelta a España 2016: A thrilling duel where Contador’s aggressive style challenged Froome, though he ultimately fell short.
Now, Froome says this storied rivalry takes a new form in the virtual realm, and it’s a fitting warm-up for his final season.
“It’s great to kickstart the off-season training with some friendly competition on BKOOL, and even better with my old rival Alberto Contador! We recently met up in Miami and he’s still looking in great shape, so I have no doubt he won’t be taking it easy on me.”
A Historic Event for BKOOL
BKOOL, founded in 2010, has established itself as a viable option in virtual sports technology, offering cutting-edge solutions for cyclists and fitness enthusiasts. With its advanced cycling simulator, BKOOL delivers a realistic and immersive experience, combining detailed route recreation with seamless connectivity for riders worldwide.
“Bringing together two cycling legends of this magnitude… and giving every fan the chance to ride alongside them is something unique,” said Ángel Luis Fernández, BKOOL’s Head of Marketing.
Since partnering with the Giro d’Italia Virtual in 2020, BKOOL has played a pivotal role in digitally bringing the legendary event to life. By meticulously recreating iconic Giro stages, the platform allows fans to ride these legendary routes from home, fostering global participation and connecting amateur cyclists with the spirit of professional racing.
The race will take place on a stage from the Giro d’Italia Virtual 2024, marking the first time Froome and Contador compete in the virtual version of the iconic Corsa Rosa. Fans can join the ride for free using a 30-day trial on the BKOOL platform, making the event open to anyone interested in trailing the indoor cycling app to see what it offers.
How To Ride Virtually With Two Legit Cycling Legends
To be part of this historic virtual cycling event, follow these steps:
1. Register at www.bkool.com and download BKOOL Cycling on your computer, tablet, or smartphone.
2. Connect your smart trainer or Smart Bike of any brand.
3. Access the simulator on Monday, November 25th, at 6:30 PM (CET).
4. In the LIVE section, the highlighted session is marked as a Group Ride. You can also access it through the first carousel in the simulator under the Group Ride card.
5. Join on time and take advantage of the warm-up session (6:30 PM – 6:40 PM CET).
The session will be available in the LIVE section of BKOOL a few minutes before it begins, so you can join calmly, enjoy the warm-up, and get ready to be part of this event that will go down in cycling history!
A Unique Event That Could Only Happen in the Virtual World
The Froome vs. Contador rivalry, born on the toughest mountain stages of the pro peloton, has taken on a new dimension in the virtual world. As virtual cycling technology evolves and platforms continue to innovate, events like these may become more frequent. Until then, seize the chance to enjoy a solid workout from home while being entertained by two legends of the sport. Even if it’s just virtual, it’s a moment to support innovation in the space that is not to be missed.
The event can also be followed live via Instagram LIVE on both riders’ profiles and on BKOOL’s social networks.
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.
