Echelon Racing League and USA Cycling's esports National Championships will now be hosted on the TrainingPeaks Virtual platform.
The Echelon Racing League (ERL) is gearing up for its sixth season of virtual road racing this winter, with a host of exciting changes and collaborations.
After a successful debut on the RGT Cycling platform in 2020, the league moved to Zwift in 2023. Now, for the 2025-2026 season, TrainingPeaks Virtual will take over as the virtual platform for the ERL. This shift comes as Zwift has recently ended its elite esports programs, including the global talent ID competition for road cyclists.
TrainingPeaks Virtual offers a realistic racing experience, complete with drafting and cornering, making it an ideal fit for the ERL. The platform also boasts a new feature called GPXplore, which allows individuals to see routes virtually from their own GPX files.
The collaboration between the ERL and TrainingPeaks Virtual extends beyond the racing season. USA Cycling has confirmed that TrainingPeaks Virtual will serve as the new virtual platform for both the ERL and the Esports Nationals, with a commitment through 2028 for the national championships.
The USA Cycling National Championships will take place on January 31 and February 1, 2026, marking the culmination of the ERL season. The 2025 USA Cycling Gravel Nationals will precede this event, taking place on September 20, 2025, in La Crescent, Minnesota. The route for the Gravel Nationals will be previewed on TrainingPeaks Virtual on September 18, 2025.
Eric Hill, president of Project Echelon Promotions, has announced that the League will collaborate with USA Cycling and ERL race promoters, showcasing longer-format races and emphasizing accessibility. The 2025-2026 ERL season will consist of seven racing events, including One Day Classics and Stage Races.
The ERL has a history of launching pro careers. In 2020, the Zwift Academy launched the professional careers of Emily Dixon (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) and Noah Ramsay (Alpecin-Deceuninck's development squad). Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) and Neve Bradbury (Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto) are the most successful winners of the Zwift Academy so far.
Last year's winners of the ERL were Hayden Pucker (elite men) from the USA and Lisa Hermansson (elite women) of Sweden. Sponsor merchandise will replace a cash purse in this year's season.
The season will launch on November 1, 2025, and culminate with the USA Cycling Esports National Championships on January 31 and February 1, 2026. The league will also serve as the national calendar for qualification at the US Esports Nationals.
For the 2025-2026 season, the ERL will collaborate with USA Cycling and ERL race promoters, with a focus on longer-format races and accessibility. The company providing the virtual platform for these events from 2026 to 2028 is Ultimate Games.
The Echelon Racing League continues to push the boundaries of virtual road racing, offering an engaging and accessible experience for cyclists of all levels.
