ICYMI this past weekend, New Zealand’s Kate McCarthy delivered another flawless performance at the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships on 15 November, retaining her world title as Abu Dhabi took centre stage for a landmark edition of the event. Racing inside the futuristic Space 42 Arena, McCarthy once again proved why she is one of the most exciting figures in cycling esports, leading a showcase that underlined Abu Dhabi’s growing influence in elite sport and next-generation competition.
Hosted by MyWhoosh, and powered by the emirate’s leadership and sporting vision, the championships brought the world’s best to the UAE capital for a high-intensity display of performance, innovation and global reach. Germany’s Jason Osborne also defended his title, completing a double victory for returning champions.
The event opened with remarks from Saif bin Sabaa Al Rashidi, UCI Committee Member, who highlighted Abu Dhabi’s rapidly expanding footprint in shaping the future of global cycling and esports. He noted how the region continues to bring together innovation, sporting excellence and community development under one platform.
The championship also welcomed H. R. Arif Hamad Saif Sultan Alawani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, who attended the finals and awarded the athletes. His participation further demonstrated Abu Dhabi’s long-term investment in world-class sporting environments, infrastructure and major events that support both traditional sport and emerging digital disciplines.
A defining moment for the discipline, all athletes competed shoulder to shoulder in one venue, elevating the level of competition and the global broadcast experience.
Power League Gaming, the MENA region’s leading full-service gaming and esports agency, played a central role in delivering the event as official event and production management partner. PLG led creative design, broadcast delivery, technical setup, venue build and all on-ground operations for more than 40 elite riders and international viewers.
The 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships
Kate McCarthy sealed her second consecutive world title with 597 points after dominant rides across all three stages. Gabriella Guerra of Brazil finished second with 525 points, followed by Italy’s Francesca Tommasi with 478.
Jason Osborne secured his second world title with 564 points, edging out Poland’s Michal Kaminski on 493 and Belgium’s Lennert Teugels on 468.
Both champions earned 15,000 USD from the event’s 60,000 USD prize pool.
Matthew Smithson, Director of Esports and Game Operations at MyWhoosh, said: “This year’s UCI Cycling Esports World Championships highlighted the strength and depth of global esports talent, and the performances we saw today reflect the highest level of the discipline. The success of this event reinforces Abu Dhabi’s and MyWhoosh’s commitment to advancing the sport and supporting its community. With record participation this year, we are confident the momentum will continue to grow, and we look forward to expanding the reach and impact in the years ahead.”
Mathew Pickering, CEO of Power League Gaming, added: “Returning to collaborate with MyWhoosh and the UCI for the fifth edition of the Cycling Esports World Championships is a defining moment for PLG. This event continues to set a new global benchmark for what’s possible in elite phygital sports, where world-class athletic performance meets cutting-edge gaming technology. Our mission is to engineer environments that enable athletes to compete at their absolute peak, while delivering fans, both in-venue and worldwide, an immersive, precision-driven viewing experience. Abu Dhabi is emerging as the world’s epicentre for phygital sports innovation, and we’re proud to be at the forefront of shaping this new era.”
Abu Dhabi’s Long-Term Commitment to Sport
The successful hosting of the 2025 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships aligns with Abu Dhabi’s wider ambition to build a dynamic and innovation-driven sporting landscape. The emirate will continue to invest in major global cycling events, with the following already confirmed:
- 2028 UCI Road World Championships
- 2028 UCI Gran Fondo World Championships
- 2029 UCI Track World Championships
