The UCI Cycling Esports World Championships are getting a pretty serious shake-up for 2026.MyWhoosh and the UCI have confirmed a new two-stage points format for the Elite final, with surprise checkpoints (right?!), route choices, and enough scoring opportunities that crossing the finish line first wont necessarily win the rainbow jersey. Esports Worlds Get New Junior & Masters Titles for 2026The Elite final will take place December 5 in Copenhagen, bringing the entire field together inside a dedicated esports studio. But thats not all; one week later, cycling esports gets another first: official UCI Junior and Masters Cycling Esports World Championships, giving riders outside the Elite category their own shot at rainbow stripes.For the Elite race, the biggest change is tactical. Riders wont only be asked to produce the biggest watts at the obvious moments. Some scoring opportunities wont be revealed until the race is already underway, and the second stage gives riders a literal choice between easier and harder routes. (All Photos/MyWhoosh)Stage 1: Surprise Surge CheckpointsThe Elite championship starts with a 7.6km points race featuring five Surge Checkpoints. Heres the catch: riders wont know where those checkpoints are beforehand.The race announces each checkpoint only500 meters before the scoring line, and every rider receives the same notification at the same time. The first 10 riders across each checkpoint score points. This should create a race where positioning matters almost constantly. Riders have to decide whether to move forward early and spend energy before the line or sit back, wait, and hope they have enough road left when the checkpoint appears.It should also make repeated acceleration and recovery a major part of the first stage. No one sits around waiting for one final sprint, like a real-life masters race.Stage 2: Choose Your Own RouteStage 2 gets even stranger. The race covers four 5km laps for 20km total, and every lap includes a route choice. About 400 meters before the split, each rider must choose between two equal-distance routes. One is flatter and worth fewer points. The other is hillier, costs more energy, and pays more points. However, each route has its own scoring line. Once the two paths rejoin, everyone contests another common sprint checkpoint.That means riders havetwo scoring opportunities per lap, giving them eight chances to collect points during Stage 2. On the final lap, the finish line doubles as the final sprint checkpoint, with double points available.What happens if you dont pick a route? MyWhoosh automatically sends you down the flatter route choice made. Why do all this wildness? Because taking the hill might pay more points, but it could also leave a rider empty when the groups reconnect. The flat route offers fewer points, but it may allow someone to recover or set up the next sprint. Its tactical, a bit of a gamble, and Im sure its fun to watch.After adding points from both stages, the rider with the highest total becomes World Champion after verification and UCI approval. Finishing first isnt enough; the points matter too.(Photo by Mirror Media/Elite)The Gear: Same Trainers for EveryoneHardware will also be standardized for the Elite final. Every finalist will race on an ELITE Justo 2 smart trainer, with ELITE individually preparing and verifying each trainer before the event. That gives every rider the same trainer platform and is intended to create a more consistent power-measurement environment across the field.The championship itself will take place in a dedicated esports studio in Copenhagen, rather than the previously announced two-location format. Bringing everyone into one venue should simplify logistics and give the broadcast team more control over how they present the racing.When To Watch: Elites, Jrs and MastersThe Elite final is now scheduled for Saturday, December 5, 2026, in Copenhagen. One week later, things go remote again. On December 12, the UCI and MyWhoosh will hold the first UCI Junior and Masters Cycling Esports World Championships. Where can you watch? You can watch on the UCI MyWhoosh platform or the MyWhoosh YouTube Channel.Think Youre Ready For Worlds? For the first time, cycling esports World Championship titles have expanded beyond the Elite field.The Junior category is open to eligible riders aged 17 and 18. Masters racing begins at 40 years old, divided into five-year age categories. Riders aged 19 through 39 remain part of the existing Elite championship structure rather than this new event. Each Junior or Masters category will need at least 10 verified starters for the UCI to award a world title.The Junior and Masters championships will be fully remote, but riders must still meet a long list of eligibility and verification requirements. Competitors need a valid license or membership from their National Federation, including any required UCI ID, and must be eligible to represent that nation.Full Verification Still AppliesMyWhoosh will use the same sort of verification procedures that have become central to high-level esports racing.That includes:Race and training-history reviewHeight and weight verificationApproved equipment checksLive dual-power recordingCadence and heart-rate monitoringStreaming and identity checksPost-race comparison of primary and secondary power dataAdditional testing or evidence if requiredAll results remain unverified until MyWhoosh completes its performance checks and the UCI and appointed International Commissaire approve the classification.*UCI esports regulations and anti-doping rules also apply. Check out all the information here at MyWhoosh