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OLYMPIC VIRTUAL SERIES CYCLING BROADCAST EVENT SET TO GET 'SPICY' AS STAR NAMES CONFIRMED

Showcase broadcast event set to take place on Friday 18th June

Cycling’s worldwide governing body, the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and Zwift, the online fitness platform for cyclists, are pleased to reveal the star lineup for the exhibition cycling ‘Chase Race’ to be broadcast at 17:30 BST//18:30 CEST on Friday 18th June.

The Chase Race, to be held on Zwift, is a bike race with a twist. Competitors will be gridded depending on their cycling ability. Riders are to be set off at different intervals with the strongest riders starting last. Their aim - to chase everyone down before the finish line.

The invitation field features a star-studded lineup with Olympic medal winners from multiple sports, community Zwift racers and the sportiest of Spice Girls, Mel C. Mel C is no stranger to a Zwift Race having taken part in a charity race in aid of ‘Wheels for Heroes’, where she finished third behind Four Time Tour de France Winner, Chris Froome and Kevin Piertersen. The full list of sporting stars includes:

- Sir Chris Hoy - the second-most decorated Olympic cyclist of all time, with six Gold Medals and 11 UCI World Championship titles.

- Fabian Cancellara - two-time Gold Medallist in the individual time trial and four time UCI Road Time Trial World Champion. In retirement, Fabian has made Chase Races somewhat a speciality with his ‘Chasing Cancellara’ series, so he will be one to watch!

- Nelson Vails - In the 1984 Olympics, Nelson took home the silver in the track sprint event, becoming the first African American to win an Olympic medal in cycling.

- James Cracknell - two-time Olympic Gold Medallist in the Coxless Fours.

- Alistair Brownlee - two-time Olympic Gold Medal winner in Triathlon.

- Alberto Contador - seven-time Grand Tour Winner, including 2 x Tour de France, 2 x Giro d’Italia and 3 x Vuelta a España.

- Jonathan Edwards - Gold Medal Winner in the Triple Jump in Sydney 2000, and current World Record holder with 18.29 m, a record he has held since 1995!

- Kristin Armstrong - three time Olympic Gold medal winner in the Time Trial, Kristen is also a two-time UCI Road Time Trial World Champion.

- Dame Sarah Storey - A 14x Gold Medalist, Dame Sarah Storey, DBE, is the most decorated and successful British Paralympian of all time. She also holds 25 UCI World Championship titles and 75 world records across both cycling and swimming, making her a veritable multisport legend.

- Lucy Charles Barclay - beginning her career in the pool, Lucy is now a professional long-course triathlete with four IRONMAN World Championship Silver medals. Lucy is a very experienced Zwifter, having ridden over 24,000 kms on the platform.

- Maddie Hinch - Maddie is a field Hockey goalkeeper and Olympic Gold medal winner with Great Britain in Rio 2016.

- Paula Radcliffe - Paula Radcliffe is a former World Champion in the Marathon, a discipline in which she also held the World Record with a time of 2:15:25.

Joining the lineup will be a few lucky members from the Zwift cycling community to keep our star lineup on their toes!

The full race will be available to watch here.

Want to take part in the Olympic Virtual Series? You too can join thousands of fellow cyclists in a celebration of cycling with events of all kinds, for all abilities. For more details, head to https://www.zwift.com/olympic-virtual-series

The IOC and the UCI are offering new Zwifters complimentary access to the Zwift platform throughout the Olympic Virtual Series (1st - 27th June). Codes can be obtained by registering on the UCI Website - https://www.uci.org/cycling-esports/join-the-olympic-virtual-series

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ABOUT THE UCI

Founded in 1900 in Paris (France), the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) is the worldwide governing body for cycling. It develops and oversees cycling in all its forms, for all people: as a competitive sport, a healthy recreational activity, a means of transport, and also just for fun. The UCI manages and promotes the eight cycling disciplines: road, track, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, cyclo-cross, trials and indoor cycling. Five of these are featured on the Olympic Games programme (road, track, mountain bike, BMX Supercross and BMX Freestyle Park), two in the Paralympic Games (road and track) and four in the Youth Olympic Games (road, mountain bike, BMX Supercross and BMX Freestyle Park). For more information: www.uci.org

About Zwift

Zwift is the fitness company born from gaming. We’re dedicated fitness enthusiasts, experienced video game developers, and disruptive thinkers. Play is in our DNA and we know fun fuels results.

Zwift utilizes massively multiplayer online gaming technology to create rich, 3D worlds ripe for exploration. Join thousands of cyclists and runners in immersive playgrounds like London, New York, and Paris as well as our very own Watopia.

Our app connects wirelessly to exercise equipment: bike trainers, treadmills, and more, so your real world effort powers your avatar in the game.

From friendly races to social rides and structured training programs, Zwift unites a diverse community in pursuit of a more fun, immersive and social fitness experience.

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