2026 Cycling Ireland Esports National Championships

Welcome to the 2026 Cycling Ireland Esports National Championships.

The Cycling Ireland National eSports Championships return in 2026 with a modern, dynamic, two-race format designed to identify the most complete virtual rider in the country. 

Delivered by Racing Without Borders (RWB), this championship blends sprint power, punchy repeatability, and pure climbing ability across two distinct races.

This event determines the Irish National eSports Champions for 2025 and forms part of Cycling Ireland’s official performance pathway for indoor racing.

Riders must complete both races, with results decided by cumulative points across all segments.

All riders should familiarise themselves with the event technical guide and will be responsible for adhering the event specific rules and equipment regulations.

Two Championships races will be run; combing junior, senior and masters riders:
- Esports National Championships (Open)
- Esports Womens National Championships

The event will be hosted through Zwift, where accepted riders will receive a unique link for the event.

Start Times
Race 1 10.30 - Open / Women

Race 2 10.55 - Open / Women

- Womens will have a staggered start after the open Race

Courses

RACE 1 — Bell Lap (Sprint Championship – 10-12 Minutes / 5 laps)

A short, explosive opener designed to reward pure sprinters and anaerobic punchers. Tight corners, technical positioning, and repeated sprint segments make this a fast and unforgiving start to the championship.

Scoring Structure (3 Total Sprints)

✔ Lap 1 — Prime Sprint

✔ Lap 3 — Prime Sprint, DOUBLE Points

✔ Lap 5 — Finish Line, TRIPLE Points

This race sets the early tone — riders who dominate here will carry momentum and points into Race 2, but nothing is secure until the final climb of the day.

RACE 2 — InnsbruckConti (Mountaintop Championship Finish)

The second race moves to Innsbruck for a full endurance and climbing examination. Innsbruck Sprint Reverse sprint with some rollers, then down the “Leg Snapper” and a decisive summit finish over Innsbruck KOM Reverse ensure a complete physiological test at national level.

Scoring Structure

✔ Innsbruck Sprint Reverse – high-speed, power-focused

✔ Innsbruck KOM Reverse — Summit Finish (MEGAPOINTS) – the decisive moment of the championship

This finish is intentionally weighted to reward championship-calibre climbing: pacing, resilience, and strategic timing determine the jersey winners.

 Race Book Link: (coming soon)

Foreign Riders
All eligible Foreign Rider must be registered on the Cycling Ireland database. 
Exisiting FR Rider - If you have previously been assigned an FR code, you must re-submit copies of your 2026 National Federation licence. 
New FR Rider - Please complete the following application form: https://membership.cyclingireland.ie/foreign-rider-form.html 

All Foreign Rider queries must be sent to Thomas McDonnell 
thomas.mcdonnell@cyclingireland.ie before COP Wednesday 15th January.

Eligibility
Cycling Ireland Technical Regulation - T10.A1.29
The following riders may compete in a National Championship:
(a) Members of Cycling Ireland with the relevant Competition Licence and an IRL Nationality
(b) Members of a UCI affiliated federation with an IRL Nationality on their licence.