eSports: Yesterday Jason Osborne was crowned the first ever UCI eSports World Champion in cycling. Today we were allowed to interview the 26-year-old, who is actually a rower. He talks to us about the world champion race and his future goals as a rower - and maybe as a professional cyclist.
Jason, three days ago you became world champion. Was three nights of sleep enough to realize that?
"I was overwhelmed at first. But in the course of the next day you will realize what you have achieved. Then I was just very, very happy.”
Actually you are a rower. How did you get into cycling and specifically taking part in the eCycling World Championships?
“Yes, actually I am a rower. But as many know, cycling is my complementary sport. Cycling is an integral part of my training and that of many of my colleagues. Cycling is just a good balance to rowing to build a base and pack in lots of training minutes. I've known Zwift since it was created. I've been on the platform since the early days. I've raced there, too, so I was already familiar with the whole thing. So it was nothing new for me.”
How did the race go yesterday from your point of view? Of course, the joint attack with Jonas Rapp was particularly worth seeing. To what extent was that planned?
“That was really interesting because actually we didn't really have a team tactic. We were connected via radio in Discord. There we heard the announcements from the team management. It just so happened that Jonas rode up front and gave me the sprint, so to speak. That was of course the jackpot at that moment. From the outside it certainly looked as if everything had been tactically planned. That's what we wanted, too, but it has to work that way on the day - and it did. We can be really happy about that.”
Team boss Tim Böhme told us about your good sport director. What is his role in a Zwift race like this?
“Our sport director observed the race as an outsider. He sees in detail what is happening in the driver's field. This enabled him to get a good impression of the current status of the race. He knows when to be careful and whether or not to call an attack. With Sebastian we really had a good man at the start. He did great for us. I think that before the start of the World Championships, training on the course was crucial for success.”
2019 @WorldRowing champion 🥇
and now.. 2020 UCI Cycling Esports World Champion! 🥇#Watopia2020 pic.twitter.com/Tu1yz3mfdg
- UCI (@UCI_cycling) December 9, 2020
Where were you when you became world champion? And did you celebrate at least a little bit?
“I rode the World Championship in Portugal. We are here with the German Rowing Association in the training camp, together with the Germany Eight. It was clear to me that this would now overlap. Because the dates for the training camp were already fixed. I discussed this with the trainer. That wasn't a problem at all. The only requirement is that you have good internet and that was fine here in the hotel. I rode on the roller in the hotel's conference room. I had a fan and followed the race on a huge screen via the projector. I celebrated in the evening with our rowing opponents from Belgium. They are here at the training camp. We didn't do anything special apart from having a few beers together and partying a bit.”
What similarities do you see particularly in rowing and cycling?
“The sport of rowing itself is pretty complete. Actually, almost all muscle groups are involved. That's actually pretty balanced. In cycling you need good legs. One thing they have in common is definitely the competitive edge. I like tactics with the opponent.”
You might get offers from cycling teams now. Would a pro career on the road appeal to you?
"What does tease mean? This is my biggest wish. After Tokyo, that's still my big goal. I want to hit the road and then see what's possible. Many other career changers have done it. I will definitely try.”
What other plans and goals do you have in your young career?
"A medal in Tokyo. I'm still missing it in my collection. So the Olympic medal in rowing. And then we will see how it develops in cycling. It's difficult to foresee at the moment. If things go well, it would of course be a dream to do the Tour de France one day.”