Cycling Canada has announced it will host a Canadian Esports Championships for the first time on March 12 and 13.
It follows the organisation delivering a series of virtual events in 2021 and 2022.
The event is set to take place on the RGT virtual cycling platform.
Cycling Canada will hold the Championships in collaboration with Echelon Racing Promotions, with fitness technology company Wahoo serving as the presenting partner.
Titles will be awarded in 14 categories, with the two competition days set to be live streamed for free.
“We are thrilled to finally announce this ground-breaking event,” said Josh Peacock, director of marketing and community engagement at Cycling Canada.
“Over the last two seasons, we have taken the time to build our understanding of esports and virtual cycling, and are excited to apply those learnings to this inaugural event.
“With the support of strong partners such as Wahoo, RGT and Echelon Racing Promotions, we’re confident this event will represent the calibre of racing that is known and expected of a Canadian Championship title.
“Virtual cycling as a discipline is here to stay, and we look forward to recognizing our top Canadian athletes for years to come.”
Winners will receive the maple leaf jersey, which will be awarded in both physically and digitally on their RGT account for a period of one year.
Wahoo will award winners in all categories to be awarded an ELMNT RIVAL multisport GPS watch.
The event will also be the first to feature a newly refreshed Canadian Championship branding.
The Canadian Esports Championships will be a lapped race on the 2022 Canada Summer Games road cycling course, a rolling 14 kilometres loop through the town of Pelham in Ontario’s Niagara Region.
Although the inaugural event will be open to all Canadian athletes, only those with a valid 2022 Cycling Canada membership will have access to official results and prizes.