When the online flag drops for the inaugural UCI Cycling Esports World Championships presented by Zwift, the largest entry out of 22 countries will be from the United States, with a total of 17 riders.

All five continents will be represented in the two 50km virtual races on Wednesday, with a total of 78 men and 54 women competing. The United States has the largest women's team with 9 runners and the second largest men's team with 8 runners, one fewer than Belgium.

The U.S. men's roster includes USA Zwift National Champion and former professional triathlete Holden Comeau (Saris + Pros Closet), currently ranked second in the world by Zwift Power Rankings, as announced by USA Cycling in October. The list of qualifiers and select athletes includes a number of recently added wild cards by the UCI and Zwift, highlighted by 2019 Amateur Criterium National Champion Corey Williams (L39ION LA) and EF Pro Cycling's Lawson Craddock.

"[Esports Worlds] wasn't necessarily on my radar, but the opportunity presented itself. It's to start training for next year. Of course, it's always exciting to race for a national team, and I'm proud of that," said Craddock, who won four national titles as a junior: two on the track (2008) and two on the road (2010). told Cycling News from his home in Austin. "I also love racing on Zwift, it's very competitive. Luckily, there was a slot open for me to compete."

Craddock said he is proud to be one of the original "2015 Zwifters."

"Five years ago, there were only about 20 people on the island (Watopia) at a time. Now there are thousands. It's incredible to see that growth. I have a pretty good understanding of how to be competitive, but I don't get to race on the platform very often."

Craddock last raced the Giro d'Italia in October, with his best finish coming in eighth place in the time trial on the first stage to Palermo; after nine stages, he returned home for the birth of his second child, Noah.

He will stand at the Esports Worlds virtual start line at 3:45 pm CET (9:45 am EST). The races will be streamed live on Zwift's Youtube and Facebook channels, with the women's race starting first at 2:40 pm CET (8:40 am EST).

"The biggest thing is that everyone can race in their own homes. Everyone has their own routine, and it's an even battle," Craddock noted.

"The beauty of this sport is that it's not just for one group of athletes. Exercise makes you feel good and brings people together.

USA Cycling selected the teams through qualifying events held in October. The top three qualifiers for the USA men's team were Jadon Jaeger (Adapt Cycling), Tanner Ward (First Internet Bank), and Tyler Williams (L39ON LA), who finished first in the overall Zwift rankings in October and is currently fourth, Brian Hodges (Evoq. bike p/b Enshored) and top 15 Ryan Larson (Saris + Pros Closet) were named to the October roster.

Three of the American women ranked in the top five overall in the worldwide Zwift Power Rankings: Evoq. bike p/b Enshored teammates Laura Matzen Coe and Courtney Nelson in second and third place, respectively, and Kristen Kulczynski ( Lauren Stevens (Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank), who finished second in the world in October's virtual race, and Kristy Tracy (Saris + The Pro's Closet), who finished in the top 10 this year, were were specially selected.

Shayna Powles (TWENTY20) is currently in the top 20 and was recently added to the US team; two teammates are competing at the World Championships in Canada (Georgia Simmerling) and Colombia (Natalia Franco).

"I am really excited and grateful for the Esports World Championships this week. It is a unique opportunity on a new platform. We will have four riders competing in this event," said team general manager Nicolas Cranmer.

"Esports specialist Christine Kulczynski was selected through a selection process set forth by USA Cycling, and Shayna Powles was a wildcard selection; all four are Zwift veterans, with the two Americans being the most experienced.

"TWENTY20 has been competing in Zwift for several years now, and most of their schedule is filled this year. This year the athletes have been in constant communication, learning the game of Zwift and learning new courses and tactics. They regularly race and train together on Zwift, which has not only improved their Zwift skills, but has also been a major morale booster for our athletes this season."

The three wildcard entries for the U.S. Women's race are Kristen Faulkner (Team TIBCO-Silicon Valley Bank), Powles, and Nelson, who recently retired from road racing with TIBCO. The three spots won by the U.S. women's qualifiers are Jacqueline Godbe (Vision W), Krista Dobel-Hickok (Rally Cycling), and Matsen Koh.

The Esport Worlds will be contested on a 50km course for both men and women, using Zwift's fictional island of Watopia. Prize money totals €8,000 for the winner of each race, with the remaining two podium finishers receiving €4,000 and €2,000, respectively.

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