The Cycling Esports Commission of the platform Zwift has banned 32-year-old Julia Schallau after analysing her performance data (see TOUR 03/2022, p. 8). Schallau was originally nominated by the German Cycling Federation for the UCI Esports World Championship nominated. Zwift suspended the athlete after noticing a noticeable increase in performance in just a few months and values never before measured in women.
Clemens Hesse, BDR national science coach, carried out a performance test with Schallau and sees the athletes as relieved: "The BDR sees the level of performance that Julia Schallau has shown in recent months as confirmed." According to the BDR, the test revealed a maximum 20-minute power output of 6.2 W/kg (standing). Hesse explained to TOUR that he had tested Schallau twice and that she had confirmed the high performance values both times.
"I can understand Zwift to a certain extent, because Schallau's values are among the best in the world for women". He also finds both the values and the increase in performance very astonishing. Hesse explains them with a "high degree of specialisation that is precisely adapted to the requirements". "Others also have the oxygen uptake values, but the combination with movement efficiency and metabolic efficiency is unique".
He had provided Zwift with all the data, from the wattage values on the power measurement pedal to oxygen saturation and metabolic values - but to his regret, the ban was not lifted. For the athlete, the ban had led to insults - especially on social media - in which "boundaries were crossed".
Kristian Bauer
Editor
