Veron announced that the largest team on the men's World Tour will compete in a series of eSports races in late April, using Czech-based Luvi's indoor digital platform to race on the most challenging parts of the 2020 Tour de Suisse race route ...

Called "Digital Switzerland 5," the five-hour, three-athlete team race will take place between Wednesday, April 22 and Friday, April 26, when the Ardennes Classic was scheduled to take place, Veron announced.

These races have been postponed due to increasing blockades in Europe and around the world as countries try to contain the spread of the Covid-19 coronavirus.

Velon's business groups are Bora Hansgrohe, CCC Team, Deceuninck Quickstep, EF Pro Cycling, Lot Soudal, Mitchelton Scott, Team Ineos, Jumbo Visma, Team Sunweb, and Trek Segafredo, owned by UAE Team Emirates.

All of Velon's teams and several riders immediately announced their participation, indicating that "The Digital Swiss 5" could be the most prestigious e-sports race ever held. Invitations were sent to all teams scheduled to compete in this year's Tour de Suisse.

"These are difficult times for everyone right now, but this is a really cool way to interact with the fans and race when you can't race normally. Personally, I'm looking forward to watching and maybe even racing myself," Michael Matthews of Team Sunweb said in the Veron announcement.

"I was looking forward to racing again, but obviously it's uncertain at this point," said Bauke Mollema (Trek Segafredo).

"I've been running for hours on the Smart Trainer in Saris to stay in shape and keep my competitive form, but I've never actually participated in a virtual race. It's a great way to stay in shape and test my condition against other professional riders.

Veron is often in a heated power struggle with the UCI and some race organizers, and recently filed an antitrust complaint with the European Commission alleging that the UCI is using its regulatory authority for its own commercial gain and taking away the rights of teams and riders without consultation. Veron created the Hammer Race series and often produces on-board video content for affiliated races.

The UCI has signed an agreement with the Zwift platform to develop an e-sports race in cycling, but the governing body has yet to announce official rules for the discipline. Veron has partnered with the smaller Luvi brand, which has a contract with the Tour de Suisse.

The Luvy platform will use real road footage and riders will be represented by 3D avatars.

Veron will announce how the race can be watched remotely, but said Swiss TV viewers will be able to watch live via Swiss national broadcaster SRF. Live data (speed, power, cadence) of the riders will be displayed and the work done by Veron will continue. Some riders will have webcams installed so viewers can see the riders' faces during the race.