On TrainingPeaks Virtual, fairness is at the heart of what we do. We prioritize ensuring that what everyone sees and experiences is genuine athletic performance, and consistent with elite-level sport. This is achieved through a combination of:
- Analyzing your equipment and performances in online events.
- Analyzing your performances in real-world events.
Crucially, different levels of events have different levels of Performance Verification applied to them. Non-competitive events that are open to all and have no restrictions, may have only minimal checks. An intermediate-level competitive event however will have both equipment requirements and more detailed checks done on each participant. At the very highest levels of competition, checks will also include looking at riders’ real-world data compared to in-game performances. Event organisers can choose what level of event they wish to put on based on the types and number of riders they wish to attract to their races.
In addition to pre-event requirements and checks, TrainingPeaks Virtual also uses real-time Performance Verification checks during events. This means that riders whose data indicates they may be gaining an unfair advantage over others are removed during an event so they don’t affect the outcome of the race. Whether due to faulty equipment or accidental or wilful cheating, this ensures that those who are competing fairly can race each other on a level playing field.
Online Performances
TrainingPeaks Virtual performs various real-time checks of each rider’s data during an event. Specific details of the checks are not publicly disclosed to avoid people attempting to game the system, but in general, riders should ensure that:
- Their height and weight are entered correctly and reflect their true height and weight.
- Their equipment is calibrated correctly and is fully functioning.
- Their conduct is consistent with being a cycling event.
These points aim to discourage conduct that exploits the game inputs, computer, or cycling hardware to gain an advantage above and beyond what a rider is physiologically capable of doing. For example, this includes but is not limited to; pedaling in a style that causes a trainer to over-read (e.g. “Sticky Watts” / “Micro-Bursting”), intentionally miscalibrating a trainer to cause it to over-read (e.g. “Paint Rollering”) and manipulating the source of power data (e.g. “PowerMatch”).
Riders may also be removed from events if their data indicates that their equipment is malfunctioning, or that the data they are transmitting to TrainingPeaks Virtual does not accurately represent what they are physically doing – for example, if there are an excessive number of drop-outs meaning too much data is missing – or otherwise there is insufficient data to accurately verify their performances.
To ensure accurate analysis of riders’ performances, everyone taking part in competitive events is strongly encouraged to ensure that their Critical Power Curve is up to date.
Real World Performances
For riders wishing to compete in the highest-level events on TrainingPeaks Virtual (typically, platinum and diamond-ranked riders), event organizers can choose to work with TrainingPeaks Virtual to perform additional checks. These include cross-referencing with riders’ performances in real-world events and other tests run specifically for TrainingPeaks Virtual.
To help with this, you can enter your real-world racing license details into your profile. This can be from any real-world National Governing Body; ideally cycling (e.g. British Cycling, USA Cycling, etc), but we also warmly welcome riders who are members of other WADA-accredited National Governing Bodies – for example, rowing, triathlon, athletics, etc.
For those aiming to compete in international-level events, your UCI license number is also required and will be cross-checked with the UCI to ensure your other details are correctly and consistently recorded.