The world of virtual cycling continues to evolve, and the new E-Cycling Race Organization (ECRO) may just represent the next significant leap forward for competitive Zwift racing. Building upon the foundation established by the Chasing Tour, ECRO aims to “create a more immersive and strategic virtual cycling experience that benefits riders and team managers alike.”
From Chasing Tour to ECRO
Founded in 2022 by Jonathan Morin, the Chasing Tour successfully established a year-long racing calendar that brought structure and continuity to the Zwift racing scene (read about Chasing Tour 2023 here). Jonathan built ECRO by expanding this foundation into a comprehensive platform that introduces elements previously unseen in virtual cycling competitions.
The ECRO World Tour 2025 will feature 75 races throughout the year, including single-day races, week-long tours, and three multi-week grand tours. This extensive calendar establishes a professional-level competition structure that mirrors real-world pro cycling, and it all kicks off on March 8, 2025, with Chasing Bianche!
New Dimensions: Rider Economics and Team Management
What sets ECRO apart is its introduction of economic elements to virtual cycling. The platform implements features like:
- Rider Market Values: Riders have assigned virtual monetary values based on their performance and category
- Team Contracts: Teams can sign riders to formal agreements
- Rider Transfers: A transfer system allowing riders to move between teams
- Team Financials: Teams manage a virtual budget, profiting from rider development and transfers
(It’s important to note that all financial aspects within ECRO—including rider values, team budgets, and prizes—are virtual and do not represent real-world currency. These virtual economics simply add an engaging layer of strategy and simulation to the competition.)
Clear Categorization
ECRO employs a straightforward categorization system based on the zwiftracing.app 90-day vELO ratings:
🔴 A Category: 1900+ rating
🟢 B Category: 1450-1899 rating
🔵 C Category: 1150-1449 rating
🟡 D Category: 850-1149 rating
🟣 E Category: 0-849 rating
This system ensures fair competition within all skill levels, and scheduled recategorization points throughout the season help maintain competitive balance.
Team Structure and Competition
Teams add another dynamic element to the ECRO World Tour:
- Teams can consist of up to 12 riders across any of the 5 categories
- The top 6 riders in each category earn points for their team
- Teams accumulate points throughout the season for overall standings
Comprehensive Scoring and Competition Format
ECRO’s competition structure is multi-layered, offering riders and teams various ways to earn points:
- Individual Race Events: Points awarded based on race tier and finishing position
- Stage Races: Multi-race competitions using a global time-gap system pioneered by Chasing Tour to determine overall standings
- Seasonal Series: Multiple races where cumulative points determine the winner
- Season-Long Competition: All points contribute to the overall ECRO World Tour standings
This structure rewards consistent participation and performance throughout the season, encouraging engagement with the entire calendar of events.
Registration and Pricing
To participate officially in the ECRO World Tour, riders and teams must obtain licenses:
- Rider License: $7.99 for the 2025 season
- Team License: $12.99 for the 2025 season
(While anyone can participate in ECRO events on Zwift, only licensed riders will have their results counted toward the official ECRO World Tour standings. These fees support the ongoing development of the platform.)
Benefits for the Entire Zwift Racing Ecosystem
ECRO’s approach delivers benefits to riders and managers alike:
For Riders:
- Verified ECRO rider accounts with clear categorization
- Opportunities to join teams and develop virtual cycling careers
- Points-based competition with virtual prizes
- Professional racing structure
For Team Managers:
- Team creation and management tools
- Strategic rider recruitment and contract management
- Virtual financial system with potential growth through smart team building
- Season-long competition against other teams
Only on Zwift
According to Jonathan, “ECRO has chosen Zwift as its exclusive platform because Zwift provides the best in-game racing experience available in virtual cycling. The robust features, established community, and technical capabilities of Zwift create the perfect environment for ECRO’s vision. By building on Zwift’s foundation, ECRO is invested in seeing Zwift continue to be the home of elite e-cycling racing, furthering the platform’s position as the premier virtual cycling experience.”
Looking Ahead
The ECRO platform represents the most comprehensive attempt yet to create a professional-level virtual cycling ecosystem that mirrors the structure, strategy, and engagement of real-world professional cycling.
So whether you’re a casual Zwift racer looking to test yourself against others, a competitive rider seeking structured competition, or someone interested in the team management aspects of cycling, I’d recommend looking into what ECRO is doing today.
For more information or to register for the ECRO World Tour 2025, visit www.ecro.app.
Your Thoughts
What do you think of ECRO’s approach to Zwift racing? Share your thoughts below!
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