Virtual cycling service bans riders for doping – doping their data, that is
- Reference: 1612245490
- News link: https://www.theregister.co.uk/2021/02/02/zwift_suspends_digital_dopers/
- Source link:
Zwift allows cyclists to race each other in a virtual world – after first bolting their bikes to a static trainer that allows them to pedal without going anywhere while measuring their performance by tracking power output and the speed at which riders pedal.
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The service quickly became a venue for e-cycling competitions, and in 2016 recognised the need for independent arbitration of disputes by creating the Zwift Accuracy and Data Analysis Group to check that rider data was accurate. The group even conducted random data testing of big races! The company has since added a Zwift Performance Verification Board to police the sport.
Zwift was popular pre-pandemic, especially among cyclists who like to stay fit during chilly winter months. During COVID lockdowns, Zwift boomed and became an important way for professionals to continue competing. There’s also plenty of racing on offer for amateurs.
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And last week two riders were banned from racing leagues for six months after being found to have manipulated their data.
One cyclist was nabbed after “automated systems identified that the dual-recorded data from the rider’s power meter may have been edited and warranted more detailed investigation.”
Zwift’s investigation found power values increased by 32 percent and the rider ‘fessed up.
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The second rider also worked with two sets of data, one indicating nine percent higher output than the other. The rider’s team claimed they’d struggled to upload files recording ride data, but Zwift conducted a forensic analysis that revealed all power measures had increased by the same amount. As riders’ intensity varies, that wasn’t feasible, and Zwift rejected data corruption as a possibility.
The second rider eventually acknowledged that the data had been edited but did not admit responsibility.
Both were banned from e-racing on Zwift for six months and charged with “Bringing the sport into disrepute” through “Fabrication or modification of any data.”
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Even with their digital doping, the riders only placed fourth and sixth. ®
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Re: How sad do you have to be ...
about as sad as those who cheat at online games... and then attempt to justify their cheating by saying they were only exploiting a feature.
Re: How sad do you have to be ...
Well, since there are currently no group rides and no races it is for some a good way to get some social contacts. The other thing is that just sitting on the bike in your room and pushing the pedals is dull (in my opinion), just as running on a treadmill is mind numbingly dull. Having others in similar situation could make this more enjoyable.
I personally prefer riding outside, even in inclement weather and alone, but I also do miss the group rides.
Cheating at sports: as soon as there is something to gain from it, people will cheat, whether it is as kids with snakes and ladders (or whatever), or adults with their tax declarations, or athletes at sports, at any level. You did not lose to your little brother at Monopoly, you get some "free" money from the gubmint, you are the first crossing the line and everybody cheers for you, you get a certain standing as an athelete in your club, people admire you. So yes, there is a motivation for cheating, and I think it is inherent in human behaviour.
What makes me really sad is age groupers ("amateurs", non-professionals, though some do train almost like pros) doping. This is a hobby you should enjoy, and you don't even get a great purse from the race, nor do you attract sponsors like crazy, it's just not worth wrecking your body even more. Plus I do not want those back in any competition. Ever. (though there is something like atonement...), half a year ban is just nothing (and I deleted the rest).
Don't get me started on cheating pro athletes, I deleted a whole paragraph (again).
Re: How sad do you have to be ...
I play COD quite a lot and I don't understand people who cheat. It makes no sense to me.
Where's the fun if the computer points the gun and pulls the trigger for you. Where's the fun if you can see all your enemies through walls.
I accept it might be novel and perhaps even funny at first, but that's got to wear off pretty quickly.
Re: How sad do you have to be ...
Come to think of it, how sad do you have to be to subscribe to a service to pedal an exercycle in the first place?
Some people like to exercise solo. Some like to exercise in groups. Zwift (et al) allows people who like group exercise to get their hiit during lockdown.
Just 'cause you don't use/like a service doesn't mean it's a waste of time & money.
Re: How sad do you have to be ...
The mind does indeed boggle at people who are willing to cheat at such things. This article covers some of the more high-end/tech related type things that people do. But even at the lower end of the scale it's just as easy to misrepresent your weight, which would influence your power to weight ratio and therefore which racing category you should be in. I've done the odd low-level race for fun and it can be somewhat annoying when the "winner" of your category seems to have been producing a lot more w/Kg than should be allowed.
Each to their own at to what they spend their time/money on, but in most cases people are using their own bikes on static trainers and pay a subscription to use the service, which in some cases makes it no different to having a gym membership or a premium Spotify account etc. As it's currently winter in the Northern hemisphere then riding a bike outside may not be as much fun, plus there's currently all the lockdown stuff. Platforms like Zwift allow you to ride/race/train without having to worry about things like the weather, the state of the roads and other road users. It's never going to be a full-on substitute for going outside, but it's a nice addition to have if you feel like it. Personally I use it over the winter months to keep the fitness levels up and get ready for when it's nice and sunny outside where the hard work will pay off (or at least things may not hurt as much).
Re: How sad do you have to be ...
How sad do you have to be to criticise other people's completely harmless choices? You miserable sod.
May the best cheat win
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/motorsport/52776028
I also play a version of Solitaire which has a leader board for the least number of moves. Most scores are clustered around a minimum value, with only a spread of 2-3 moves covering the top 10. However, for some games, the lowest is 15 (!) lower than the next lowest. For one game, the lowest was 43 (!!) lower than the second score. If you have to cheat, at least make it believable.
They call it e-cycling so I'd expect taking part with an e-bike, right? No need to fiddle the data.
How sad do you have to be ...
... to fucking cheat on an exercycle in the comfort of your own home?
The mind absolutely boggles.
Come to think of it, how sad do you have to be to subscribe to a service to pedal an exercycle in the first place?