Josh Harris 'over the moon' with top 10 at Esports Worlds

With a tactically astute performance, ARA Australian Cycling Team rider Josh Harris has finished eighth at the 2024 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships this morning.

Outstanding improvisation gave Harris a strong footing at the start of the three-stage final, which was raced live in Abu Dhabi on MyWhoosh.

Stage 1, which awarded points to riders who set the fastest times over a short sprint segment, did not suit the lightweight Tasmanian on paper. But, when all 22 riders engaged in a virtual track stand on the opening lap − none wanting to offer a slipstream to their rivals − Harris decided to save his matches for the second lap, where he sprinted with a handful of others.

The decision netted Harris the fifth fastest time and 16 points, a result that would have exceeded all expectations going in to the final.

"[I'm] over the moon the finish eighth," Harris said. "Made some brilliant decisions out there.

"Fifth on Stage 1 after being the only guy to bail on lap 1 turned out to be a masterstroke.

"Everyone was basically track standing, so I figured our entry speed was going to be poor. [It] was a little risky, but also an educated guess."

Stage 2, a points race with a longer climb that suited Harris's characteristics, went swimmingly for the former marathon runner. He crested the hill in fourth place alongside Hayden Pucker (USA), and the duo worked together to the finish. By crossing the line in fifth, Harris improved to equal fourth overall with 69 points, just three points off the podium.

Stage 3 was an explosive criterium-style points race, a carbon copy of the final stage used in the semi-final. The field quickly splintered into ones and twos under the pressure of 2020 world champion Jason Osborne (GER). While Osborne soloed to the stage and overall victory, Harris fought hard to pick up another 43 points, finishing 11th on the stage and securing the top-10 ranking.

Harris said he was "stoked" with his result.

"Perfect Stage 2 to get over the KOM with Hayden Pucker, who has massive power, and then held my own better than I did in the semi in the final stage and held on to that top 10," Harris said.

Harris was Australia's sole representative in the final, qualifying through an open semi-final system. This was the first edition of the World Championships to be held on MyWhoosh and at a live final.

Results - Men

1. Jason Osborne (GER) - 177 points
2. Lionel Vujasin (BEL) - 174
3. Kasper Borremans (FIN) - 164
4. Bjoern Andreassen (DEN) - 154
5. Hayden Pucker (USA) - 145
6. Vidar Mehl (NOR) - 133
7. Michael Kaminski (POL) - 127
8. Joshua Harris (AUS) - 112
9. Ollie Jones (NZL) - 110
10. Daniel Turek (CZK) - 107

Photos: MyWhoosh