Cooper Sayers, 22, is part of a wave of young Australian cyclists who are missing out on the normal pathways that would normally see a number of riders put their case to be considered for a professional contract. That normal flow has been stymied by COVID-19 restrictions taking their effect both on domestic racing and with restrictions on riders heading overseas.
Also, a good portion of the Asian and US cycling calendars have been cancelled, leaving precious few options for riders not able to secure rides in Europe, those few that could secure travel exemptions. Sayers was one of three Australians to redouble their efforts towards the Zwift Academy and make the finals, with the prize of a professional contract on the line with premier Pro Team squad Alpecin-Fenix.
“There are some bigger NRS races where you can put your name out there, but we really haven’t had many of them the past few years," said Sayers in conversation with SBS Cycling Central. "This year, I focused on the Santos Festival of Cycling, obviously it was televised, but I also focused on road nationals, with the thought of getting over for the Tour de l’Avenir."
Travel restrictions limited selection for the 'Race of the Future' to riders already in Europe, meaning that Sayers and others weren't considered to be picked.
"With races continuing to get cancelled throughout the pandemic, I switched my full focus to the Zwift Academy," said Sayers. "It was two months of long ergos and just trying to acquaint yourself with the ergo on the trainer just so you’re completely ready.
"I’m very lucky to have been put in this position, through some hard work. To be put in front of the right people and get some exposure for my work has been really important and it’s such a great opportunity."
Sayers will join compatriots Alex Bogna (ARA-Pro Racing Sunshine Coast) and teammate Sam Hill (Nero Continental) in Mallorca to compete for the pro deal with Alpecin-Fenix, with Imogen Alton (Women's Racing Project) and Rachael Wales (Velofit) the Australians joining from the women's side. All will be looking to continue on from last year, when both the men's and women's winners were Australian with former Nero member Jay Vine securing the deal with Alpecin-Fenix and making the most of his neo-pro year against top competition.
Sayers got to see Vine in action up close, with the pair teammates during the 2020 season, but particularly during the National Tour in the weeks prior to the Zwift Academy finals, then held remotely.
"Being teammates with Jay was incredible," said Sayers. "He’s such a dialed athlete, so regimented and focused. I’ve had a few little chats to Jay with pointers for going forward to the camp. It would be exciting to follow in his footsteps."
Sayers' path to this point is quite different from former MTB rider Vine's. Sayers has more of a track background, but after he lost his scholarship within the high-performance program, it was a trip to Belgium that reinvigorated the Business/Law double-degree student to continue his elite cycling.
"Late 2018 I didn’t hit my targets, so my scholarship didn’t get renewed at the ripe old age of 18," said Sayers. "I just wanted to love the sport again and find the passion.
Sayers found his way onto the Lightsview team, now known as Villawood, racing locally in South Australia before taking the step-up to Nero Continental, an environment that Sayers has thrived in despite the lack of racing.
“The support we get is incredible and the team culture is amazing as well," said Sayers. "It’s led me to this, and seeing Jay Vine succeed as well last year, it put a bit of fire in the belly.
"Being in Australia, it’s not like we have immense opportunities to ride overseas or get professional contracts. This is just an immense opportunity to show yourself and potentially get one of the only opportunities Australians have to go into the pro ranks."
The growing popularity of e-sports and Zwift in particular was sent into overdrive during the pandemic lockdowns, and some 150,000 people took part in the Zwift Academy process to see if they could qualify for the Mallorca finals. It speaks of the growth of the credibility of the program, one that used to only guarantee a contract with a development team now carries the prize of a spot on one of the best teams in the world.
Professional cyclists grumble at getting blown away by people on Zwift, and it was a professional rower that won the inaugural Zwift world championships. That discrepancy at times between the virtual and real world has led some to question the veracity of some of the results, but as Sayers explains, there is a thorough and meticulous process to ensure that every result is 'real'.
“In our e-sports racing team (AERO) we always have to have height tests, weight tests, we always have to dual record and go through these processes to ensure the integrity of the sport," said Sayers. "ZADA ensure the integrity of the sport is followed, if that wasn’t in place it wouldn’t be what it is.
“The whole concept of it is great. The people that are winning, they aren’t necessarily cyclists and that blows people’s minds. In Zwift, you do need to know the ins and outs of the game."
Australians will be hoping that Sayers can put his hard-won knowledge and condition to good use in Mallorca, so that we might see another rider flying the flag overseas in the biggest races.
