Germany's Jason Osborne, perhaps surprisingly the first male UCI Esports World Champion, deserved his first ever Rainbow Jersey avatar by combining his world-class rowing physiology with his refined Zwift racing skills.

Osborne has already qualified for next year's Tokyo Olympics in the lightweight men's double scull event, placed sixth at last year's German Time Trial Championships, and won multiple NTT on the Monte Serra climb in Tuscany, which is often used to test riders' ability and form. He took the Strava KOM record from a World Tour rider.

A short power climb at the finish of the men's race on the Zwift Watopia circuit showcased Osborne's talents, and he was joined by Victor Kampenaerts, Tom Pidock, Edvald Boasson Hagen, and Belgian Zwift star Lionel Vujasin, were perfect to beat big name World Tour riders such as.

"When I looked at the riders participating, there were some big names. Of course, there is always competition between the Zwift pros and the World Tour riders; the Zwift pros know the algorithm and how it works, but they have the power," Osborne said after the race.

On the short climb to the finish, Osborne used up to 12 watts/kg of power to pull away from the group of 50 riders, gaining two seconds and holding that gap thanks to a well-timed power-up before the finish.

The Danish duo of Anders Foldager and Niklas Pedersen finished 1.74 and 2.09 seconds behind Osborne, respectively.

"I'm feeling good and well prepared. Power per minute is very important on that course. My main focus was to stay calm and swim in the pack and conserve energy for the last 80 seconds," Osborne explained.

Osborn is focused on rowing for Germany at next summer's Olympic Games in Tokyo, but he knows that his first title at Esports Worlds could set his career on a more digital path. [Many rowers cycle because it's a great sport and it helps them improve their rowing.

"Since Strava came along, I've gotten into the competitive aspect of it, and I like to compare myself to other athletes on KOMs and stuff... In 2019 I finished 6th in the German time trial championships, 28 seconds ahead of World Tour rider Yasha Stölllin (3rd). .

"I have no road racing experience, only TTs, but I discovered Zwift a couple of years ago and use it as a training tool. I find it motivating and Zwift is a great opportunity to race with other people. It's so much fun, I don't have to run outside.

"After the Olympics I might turn to cycling and see what I can accomplish, and with Zwift developing, there's an opportunity there.