In this episode of The Virtual Velo Podcast, we sit down with Dean Cunningham, an elite cycling esports racer for Restart pb Alex Coh Coaching, event organizer, and outspoken leader in the community. Known for his no-nonsense approach and deep passion for the sport, Dean isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.
We dive into his cycling esports journey, his motivations for stepping into team management and event organization, and the creation of the Restart Invitational Elite Series—launched shortly after Zwift decided to hit a pause on elite racing. Dean shares his vision for the series, the challenges of race organization, his approach to performance verification, and how he feels now about Zwift putting the brakes on racing.
But that’s not all—Dean is also at the forefront of the effort to form a cycling esports riders’ union. We explore what that means for the future of the sport, why racers need a stronger voice, and how major stakeholders like the racers, platforms, and the UCI are responding.
We round out the conversation with a deep dive into esports performances vs. World Tour pros, the explosive reaction to Ewan Mackie’s viral Instagram post, and the ongoing debate around power numbers, weight verification, and esports legitimacy.
Is cycling esports on the verge of something great, or are we stuck in an endless cycle of hardware doubts, skepticism, and uncertainty? Dean doesn’t hold back.
Tune in for an unfiltered, insightful, and passionate discussion about the present and future of cycling esports!
Don’t miss out on the unique opportunity to delve even deeper into the intriguing topics discussed in this episode.
- Get to Know Zwift Grand Prix 2023/24 Elite Cyclist Dean Cunningham [Zommunique, Dec. 20, 2023]
- 2024/25 Restart Invitational Elite Cycling Esports Series on Zwift Begins December 14th [Zommunique, Dec, 1, 2024]
- Zwift Games 2025 Greenlighted After Hardware Fixes and Ruleset Revisions [Zommunique, Feb, 11, 2025]
- Get to Know Elite Cyclist Ewan Mackie—293 lbs to 445W-plus FTP [Zommunique, Apr. 9, 2023]
Join us for a conversational ride as we lend a voice to the digital athlete and bridge the gap between athlete and avatar.
Statements made by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the podcast, its hosts, or its partners. Listeners are encouraged to form their own opinions.
