A $789 pair of cycling pedals could soon become the price of entry for some of MyWhoosh’s highest earning virtual racers. The indoor cycling platform is introducing a new hardware requirement that will determine whether certain competitors can continue collecting prize money.
• MyWhoosh is changing its verification rules
• Some racers will need $789 Favero pedals
• Prize money eligibility is at stake
From October 4, all Sunday Race Club Category 1 riders, plus Category 2 riders who have earned more than $2,000, must use approved Favero Assioma PRO RS-2 or RL-2 power meter pedals as their primary in-game power source. Riders without the pedals can still compete, although they will not qualify for prize money.
• The rule begins on October 4
• It affects Category 1 and some Category 2 racers
• Non-compliant riders can still race without prize eligibility
MyWhoosh says the change is designed to standardise power measurement and strengthen anti-cheating controls in competitive e-racing. The platform offers substantial prize money, with some racers reportedly earning more than $100,000 a year, making accurate power verification particularly important for competitions where results can translate directly into significant payouts.
• Power data will become central to race results
• MyWhoosh wants more consistent verification
• Top racers can earn substantial prize money
The new pedals will also work with a dedicated MyWhoosh eSports Race Mode, expected to launch in late October or early November following testing. Once properly configured, the system will automatically verify the pedals, use their power data to control riders’ in-game avatars and record the information for race results and post-race checks.
• Smart trainers will no longer provide the primary power data
• Favero pedals will control in-game performance
• Automatic verification is intended to simplify race checks
The change could nevertheless create a new barrier for competitors, particularly as riders in lower categories can also receive prize money. MyWhoosh has not indicated whether those categories will eventually face the same hardware requirement, leaving racers to weigh the cost of the new equipment against the money they hope to win.
• The pedals add a significant upfront cost
• Lower-category prize money remains part of the debate
• MyWhoosh’s testing will reveal how the system performs
Via: Cycling News
