Virtual cycling platform MyWhoosh has announced a biological anti-doping programme for elite riders competing in its online races, becoming the first major esports cycling platform to introduce random blood and urine testing.
The Abu Dhabi-based company confirmed on Thursday 07 May that riders competing in high-level events such as the Sunday Race Club and the MyWhoosh Championship will now be subject to anti-doping controls. The first tests are scheduled for Sunday 17 May.
The initiative will operate in partnership with International Doping Tests & Management (IDTM) and will use the WADA prohibited list as its reference framework.
Selected riders may be notified before, during or immediately after races and must remain at their declared location for up to three hours while testers collect urine, blood or dried blood spot samples.
MyWhoosh said athlete selection would be based on random draws, podium performances, suspicious data patterns and intelligence-led targeting. Riders refusing or evading tests could face disqualification, prize-money clawbacks and suspension from the platform.
The move marks a significant escalation in the battle against cheating in virtual cycling, where competitors have used banned substances, manipulated smart trainers, falsified rider weights, engaged robots and exploited software vulnerabilities to gain an advantage.
MyWhoosh already uses dual-source power verification and so-called “power passport” physiological profiling to validate performances. Around 700 riders are expected to enter the initial testing pool, with the platform aiming to test at least 10 percent annually.
The announcement further cements MyWhoosh’s position in competitive virtual cycling. The platform currently hosts the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships and reportedly distributed more than US$5 million in prize money last year.
Photo Credit: SW Pix
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