Saris NoPinz eSports Worlds Q&A: Part II
We’re taking the opportunity this week to introduce you to our racers who will be lining up in the 2023 UCI eSports Cycling World Championships on February 18th on Zwift for Team USA! Our team has 6 racers lining up: Matt Curbeau, Jacquie Godbe, Liz Van Houweling, Ryan Larson, David Talbott, and Morgan Uceny. Then we also have Matt Gardiner and Jenn Real representing the team as Team Directors for the men’s and women’s squads!
Let’s pick up where we left off! When did Zwift Racing become a staple in your cycling?
Morgan: 2022 was my first year racing with a Premier League team (Saris NoPinz) so I hired a cycling coach and really committed to the Zwift racing season,
David: Winter 2019. Started entering the bigger races with the best zwifters and got my clock cleaned but was immediately hooked on racing.
Liz: Right when I started Zwifting in 2020. It was winter so I primarily rode inside while I steadily gained fitness. I got more serious about trying to perform well in races about a year later and started racing the elite women with Saris NoPinz in January 2022.
Ryan: It became my go-to training/racing tool right when I started Zwfiting around 2017/2018.
Jacquie: When COVID lockdowns hit.
Matt: In 2018 me and some friends started a race series on Zwift - The Morning Grind Fondo. There wasn’t really any organized race series before that. Once we all started racing regularly each week I got hooked.
What’s your indoor-outdoor mix?
Morgan: It’s really a matter of weather. Living in New England, I Zwift mostly in the colder months. For the entire year, I imagine it’s about 65% outdoor, 35% indoor.
David: It varies by season - I get outside a lot when it’s warm. Winter months it's almost exclusively indoors.
Liz: Depends on the year but probably about 95% indoors, 5% outdoors. I do hope to get outside more as my kids get older…but inside is just so convenient :)
Ryan: 80% indoor and 20% outdoor
Jacquie: 90-95% indoors. While I love outdoor riding and regularly bike commute to work, it’s hard to slot in big outdoor rides regularly with my radiology resident schedule.
Matt: 50/50. I know when I get on Zwift I will get a good workout in, so I tend to prioritize that - outside can be a mixed bag sometimes.
How did you make it onto the USA roster for Worlds?
Morgan: I competed in the Continental Qualifiers and secured the FINAL spot available!
David: Through a petition process.
Liz: I was unable to race the Continental Qualifiers, so I had to petition for a spot on the team. Luckily, they picked me!
Ryan: I petitioned onto the team via USA Cycling and was selected based on my past experience/results at Esport worlds the last 2 years.
Jacquie: I was selected via application. While I had to withdraw from the Continental Qualifier race, I was lucky enough that the coaches trusted my preparation and racing from my previous two years.
Matt: I submitted a petition and was selected as part of that process. I’m honored to get to represent the USA in this sport’s biggest stage.
What has your training preparation looked like for Worlds?
Morgan: The latest season of the Zwift Grand Prix provided great opportunities to get used to non-traditional formats of racing, specifically the back-to-back racing format. The Continental Qualifiers was also 3 rounds back to back so I am hoping that practice will come in hand during Worlds.
David: With the new courses and format, you will need a good repeatable 1-3 minute power, so I have been focusing efforts like that.
Liz: I am doing actual structured interval work. In the past, I’ve used racing for the majority of my training. The Worlds format is so demanding that I know I need to be in peak physical condition in order to compete, and this requires more intentional work.
Ryan: Low volume and high intensity.
Jacquie: Lots of climbing. As one of the heaviest riders, I am training with a specific focus on efficient climbing so that I’m ready to attack!
Matt: *Insert Rocky 4 montage*
We’ll have Part III of the questionnaire up on Friday! Stay tuned.