Future Olympic and Paralympic cyclists can now train and compete against the world’s best at QUT’s Virtual Cycling Centre, which recreates famous tracks including the final stage of the Tour de France and brings online communities of people together to ride.
Queensland Sport Minister and Minster Assisting the Premier on Olympics and Paralympics Sport and Engagement Stirling Hinchliffe today joined QUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Sheil and Emily Rosemond, QUT Director, Sport, for the opening of the purpose-built centre at the Gardens Point campus.
Olympian and former world track cycling medallist Ms Rosemond said the facility featured 10 Wahoo-KickR bikes and would allow aspiring cyclists to enhance their fitness and contest a range of online events.
“Some of the world’s greatest and most challenging tracks are available to tackle on platforms like Zwift, from UCI World Championship routes to the final stage of the Tour de France,” Ms Rosemond said.
“Ground fans replicate wind, based on cyclist’s speed, bikes rise and fall with virtual roads, as well as record pedalling power, heart rate and a range of other performance metrics.
“QUT students can use the space to take part in intervarsity events with other universities across the globe whilst our researchers will focus on health and data science research, as well as the development of new virtual paths, environments and dashboards.”
Mr Hinchliffe said the Centre launches ahead with the first Olympic Esports Week planned for June in Singapore.
“We know there’s growing interest from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) in the development of virtual sport,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“QUT’s Virtual Cycling Centre is important infrastructure for preparing Queensland athletes for the inaugural Olympic Esports Week.
“This is also a terrific example of the sport-tech industry we want to grow for Queensland as a legacy of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“Sport-tech comes in many shapes, sizes, and applications, and it’s growing quickly.
“With less than a decade to the 2032 Games, Queensland has an opportunity to become the Silicon Valley of sport innovation, leading a global industry expected to be worth more than $60 million in coming years.”
Ms Rosemond said the facility would also play a role in identifying talent and provide pathways for athletic development for aspiring Olympians and Paralympians. There are also plans to take the technology beyond Brisbane, as well as the broadcasting of events and activities on campus to build a greater sense of connectivity and participation in Queensland communities.
“QUT hopes to expand the program to regional and remote communities around the state using a soon to be built sports technology and broadcasting truck that will enable greater accessibility to newer technologies,” she said.
“Esports, and the associated technology behind them, is a billion-dollar industry and QUT is already a major player in the field.
“QUT was the first Australian university-endorsed program to offer scholarships to competitive gamers. We have a purpose-built esports arena and run an International Varsity Program uniting students throughout the Oceanic region, while QUT nursing student Jessica Pratt competed in the 2019 global esports cycling world championship, scoring a pro-cycling contract with CANYON//SRAM Team in Spain.”
