ROUVY's acquisition of FulGaz and IRONMAN partnership brings a New Dimension to virtual cycling Training and Race Preparation with GPS Route Creation and Augmented Realism.
In a noteworthy development for the virtual cycling and triathlete community, ROUVY has acquired FulGaz from The IRONMAN Group. The news follows another significant acquisition in the space—TrainingPeaks’ purchase of indieVelo to create TrainingPeaks Virtual.
These acquisitions are a clear indicator of the rapidly evolving virtual cycling landscape, where increased competition drives innovation and motivates platforms to respond to the needs of athletes more effectively. This move brings together two platforms known for focusing on realistic training experiences, offering exciting opportunities for cyclists and triathletes.
ROUVY’s partnership with IRONMAN elevates the training experience on virtual course simulations using the app’s innovative augmented reality Route Creator tool.
Expanding Options for Virtual Cycling Users
ROUVY, recognized for its immersive cycling simulations that use real-world video footage, is now integrating FulGaz’s extensive collection of routes into its platform. The partnership includes the top 20 most popular FulGaz rides, and numerous IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 courses to start, and ROUVY will add more throughout the year. The expansion is a welcome enhancement for users who value variety and realism in their race preparation.
Petr Samek, ROUVY’s CEO, shared, “Our combined offerings are now much stronger, providing cyclists and triathletes with an unparalleled experience.” While “unparalleled” might be up for debate, the collaboration undoubtedly enriches the options available to users and competitive IRONMAN athletes.
Augmented Reality: Adding a New Dimension to Virtual Riding and Training
On top of the list of ROUVY’s defining features is its use of augmented reality (AR), which blends real-world video with interactive elements to create a more dynamic indoor riding experience. This technology enhances:
- Route Creator Tool: The feature allows users to turn their GPS data into rideable courses. For many in the virtual cycling community, this tool is reminiscent of RGT’s beloved Magic Roads feature, which allowed riders to create custom courses. Since Wahoo shut down RGT in 2023, users have sorely missed this functionality, and its presence on ROUVY is a welcome return for fans of route customization.
- Course Preparation: For triathletes, practicing on augmented versions of actual race courses—complete with elevation profiles and environmental details—provides a practical way to prepare for key events.
By offering these features, ROUVY helps make indoor training more interactive, efficient, and effective, particularly for long indoor sessions or when preparing for IRONMAN competitions.
Competitive Triathletes Have the Most to Gain
For triathletes, training on real-world courses is a game-changer. ROUVY’s inclusion of IRONMAN and IRONMAN 70.3 routes—complete with realistic aid station markers and transition zones—offers a new level of preparation. This feature allows athletes to:
- Familiarize themselves with course layouts and elevation changes.
- Strategize for race day by simulating tactical course elements and transitions.
- Build confidence and familiarity through the repetition of specific routes.
- Athletes can track their progress with detailed analytics, including power, cadence, and heart rate.
- Integrations with third-party platforms and smart trainers, including TriDot, Strava, and Wahoo.
Additionally, ROUVY’s structured training plans and workouts, including contributions from professional teams like Lidl-Trek, help athletes at all levels optimize their training.
What This Means for the Indoor Cycling Landscape
The acquisition of FulGaz reflects a growing trend of consolidation and collaboration in the virtual cycling world. While it’s exciting to see platforms expanding their offerings, it also highlights the importance of user choice. If platforms lean into their USPs and optimize the value of their distinct features, it is a win for the athletes.
As Petr Samek noted, “This acquisition reflects our dedication to providing the best virtual experience for cyclists and triathletes around the world.”
For those invested in indoor cycling, this development is worth watching.
Worth Keeping an Eye On
ROUVY’s acquisition of FulGaz brings new opportunities for indoor cyclists and triathletes, particularly those who value realism and variety in their training. With features like augmented reality, expanded route options, and community-driven tools, ROUVY continues evolving as a leading virtual cycling platform and carving a wider swath of the evolving landscape.
For users of other platforms, this news serves as a reminder of the innovation happening across the virtual training space. Whether preparing for an IRONMAN or simply exploring new ways to stay motivated, the growing options in virtual cycling are worth celebrating.
Keep an eye on how these changes impact the broader community and consider how they might fit into your training and race prep routine.
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.
