In response to the paucity of races affecting all levels of the sport, not just the World Tour, the SEG Academy has taken the initiative and launched the SEG eRacing U23 series. [The races will be held on the RGT Cycling platform during the last week of April and the first half of May, and will be attended by the leading U23 competitors.

In addition to SEG eRacing Academy, other U23 teams from Jumbo Visma Development Team, Hagens Berman Axeon, GB Cycling Academy, Belgium, USA, and Germany will participate. Several teams, including FDJ and Sunweb's development team, are also rumored to be in close discussions with the organizers.

The series will consist of four events, the first being the SEG eRacing U23 Series criterium on April 27, followed by the SEG eRacing U23 Series Classic on May 1, where teams will face off on the hilly Paterberg loop.

Following the two one-day style races, teams will compete in three days of stage races from May 7-9. The first stage is the flat 38.5 km Borrego Springs crit, followed 24 hours later by the 42 km Paterberg race. The final stage will take part in the 25 km Mont Ventoux.

"We are racing in the RGT, which makes it easier for the U23 riders to compete and they need to work on their tactics and power," SEG eRacing team manager Eike Visbeek told Cycling News.

"That means a little more motivation than racing against experienced Zwift pros. And this project gives the U23 riders the motivation to compete at the same level as other young riders."