TOUR: Hi Jason, great that you could take the time to answer a few questions. You're actually a rower. But in 2020 you became the first Esports World Champion in cycling. How did your participation in this first indoor world championship on Zwift?
Jason Osborne: More or less spontaneously, as the UCI decided at very short notice that the World Championships would take place. I received an email from the BDR and accepted. Another important point was that I was already in the NADA test pool due to my rowing career. Only athletes who were already in the pool were allowed to take part.
How much time passed between the enquiry from the BDR and your acceptance and the Esports World Championship?
About 1.5 months.
Even during your time as a rower, you enjoyed getting on your racing bike. Your You gave up your rowing career in favour of cycling. Is that true?
Yes and no. Unfortunately I didn't get an offer from Team Quick Step where I could be a stagiaire. was. In principle, I have decided to compete in rowing again at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. Depending on how it fits into my rowing programme, I'll also continue cycling races as an individual starter, for example in Zwift or the German time trial championships.
So in addition to esports racing, you've also been able to gain experience in road races and were even Stagiaire in the UCI World Tour team Deceuninck-Quick-Step. Apart from your rowing career, are you planning a career as a professional road cyclist?
If a team gave me the chance, I would go for it 😊 But I see cycling as a very uncertain environment at the moment, where I don't feel like I'm in good hands at the moment.
Nevertheless, cycling seems to give you a lot. What is special about it for you?
Cycling has many good points for me. You're outdoors and connected with nature. I was on Tenerife a fortnight ago, for example. You can see so much of the island by bike and get around. You can discover the area in a completely different way on a bike.
How did you get into virtual cycling?
I've been using Zwift for a very, very long time. I think I've been with it since the early stages. I liked the combination of computer game and training.
What are the key differences for you between road racing and esports racing?
On Zwift you have no body contact, which makes it much easier to attack. It's more about pure watts. In road races, you can have the most blatant watts, but it's no good if you can't manoeuvre through the field.
Tactically, every loophole is utilised in virtual races. For example, you can drive tactically when going up a hill. A few acceleration peaks at certain points can help you get over the hill more easily overall.
It also pays to know the differences between individual systems: With Zwift, the effect in a group is very strong. It is almost impossible to escape. With Rouvy, you can escape better.
As well as training in virtual worlds, you also enjoy cycling outside and exploring the area. Where do you train for the Esports World Cup - outdoors or on the Smarttrainer?
Most people think I spend a lot of time on Zwift. But I actually prefer to ride outside. Of course, I still ride on Zwift, especially the ergometer mode is very helpful for specific intervals in order to do exactly the planned training.
How do you prepare for the Esports World Championship? For example, do you know the course inside out? Do you plan the use of PowerUps in advance?
I cut back on my rowing training to give me the freedom to prepare for the Zwift World Championships.
I ride specific intervals and have also ridden a few races to get a feel for the material and the races. Yesterday I rode the entire race course twice, the coach watched and we talked through the race tactics during the ride. He gave me tips for certain sections.
I think the course suits me because the climb takes about 2-2.5 minutes. In 2020, there was a climb that lasted a maximum of 90 seconds. More people can push that away.
What should not be missing on competition day?
The head, the motivation. That's the most important thing first. That you're ready to throw yourself into it and give it your all. You have to take what your body gives you on race day. And you have to have confidence in your ability, in the set-up and the team.
Everything had already been set up at the Mainzer Ruderverein so that nothing should go wrong technically.
What tactics tip for esports racing do you have for our readers?
Clearly, the most important thing is cooling, i.e. a fan!
I was in Zurich for five races in three days. I was the only one with a fan. Everyone's body temperature was recorded. My temperature was by far the lowest and my performance was, also by far, the best. That confirms for me: cooling is so important!
Another tip: Don't set your goals too high. Maybe start one category lower than to collect failures right at the beginning.
How has the topic of e-racing changed in the past year? For example, in terms of power density and prestige?
My assessment is that esports has become very professionalised. There is a significant difference compared to 2020. There are already full-time male and female athletes.
The races themselves have become tougher because everyone knows what's going on and how to react tactically. Every advantage is utilised to the maximum.
The World Championship race will be different to 2020, with many more pure e-racers on the grid now, so it will be tougher and many are very well positioned tactically.
Can you currently make a living from your sport?
Rowing is my main sport, so I am anchored in established structures such as Deutsche Sporthilfe. I also have some very, very good sponsors through cycling.
Finally, a completely different topic. How do you feel about the cycling community?
Really cool. It's easy to make connections. No matter where you are. A fortnight ago I was on Tenerife, posted a story and was contacted directly by other cyclists asking if we could go for a ride together.
What I don't like so much is the politics in cycling teams. It should be about performance when selecting athletes.
But apart from that, I think cycling is just really good!
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Sandra Schuberth
Editor
