LISTEN: Inverness cyclist signed up by Spanish team Movistar to compete in 2021 virtual season
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BETH Maciver has been signed up by an international cycling team to take on the best virtual riders in the world, thanks to her performances from the comfort of her own home.
Listen to the full interview below.
The 20-year-old from Cradlehall has been selected by Spanish outfit Movistar to represent them in the virtual Zwift Racing League which starts next month.
Maciver has been chosen along with cyclists from the UK, Denmark, Holland and Norway to compete for Movistar in competitions.
The former Culloden Academy pupil, who studies physiotherapy at Glasgow Caledonian University, impressed selectors while taking part in the Movistar Team Challenge on the e-sports cycling platform.
It has been a meteoric rise for Maciver, who only took up cycling two years ago, saying e-sports gave her something to focus on during lockdown.
“This is the coolest thing I have done so far,” she said.
“I only got into cycling two years ago, but this time last year is when I took it seriously.
“Over lockdown I had more time to focus on it and it gave me something to do, and I fell in love with it. It is awesome.
“My boyfriend has been cycling his whole life and his dad owns Bikes of Inverness and he got me involved in it.
“I never expected to get to this stage and it turns out I just loved it and being competitive at it.”
Racing on her bike in her bedroom, Maciver powered her way through the qualifying stages to reach the finals where her bike was constantly monitored to meet the demands of the challenges.
“For each round, you have to have dual recording for your power to make sure it is accurate and true so you can’t cheat,” she said.
“The finals were tough, but I managed to finish first in the points race and had second best points overall and I think I had the best result from the ramp test.”
As well as hoping to be a success in e-cycling, Maciver hopes she can use that experience to take part in outdoor competition when circumstances allow.
“I think some things will cross over to outdoors,” she said.
“I have no experience of outdoor racing yet, so I hope things from e-sports I can take as I would like to compete outdoors as well.”
She added: “It will be trial and error, but I want to take part in road racing and time trials.”
