The connection between cycling and the virtual world is increasingly close. E-sports have also conquered a growing space on pedals and rollers, transforming technology into a springboard to professionalism. Just think of Jay Vine and Fabio Vergallito, who have moved from the roller to the WorldTour group. And this is the spirit that inspires the Francesco Cesarini – Dream Ahead Award.
This event is dedicated to the great Umbrian domestique of the 80s. A professional, yes, but also a technology enthusiast. And so his daughter, Francesca, decided to create this initiative last year, which is now growing and continuing with exciting new features.
E-sports are growing
Born to unite sport, innovation and memory, the Francesco Cesarini – Dream Ahead Award is a one-of-a-kind event, designed for young cyclists who want to compete on an e-sports platform and at the same time, get closer to real professionalism. The second edition, scheduled for October 25th in Spoleto, consolidates a highly successful format that combines competition, training, and opportunity.
The boys will pedal with their own bicycles on Elite rollers connected to the MyWhoosh platform. Each test is governed by the athlete's watt-per-kilogram ratio, which translates into speed on the screen. The goal is not just to determine a winner, but to identify those who, through power, consistency, and technique, can navigate a tense technical and tactical situation and, consequently, on the real road.
The race will involve 40 junior athletes, Selected from the best in the FCI regional road, mountain bike, and cyclocross rankings. It's a high-level competition opportunity, with professional logistics: mechanics, certified scales, control software and a highly precise technical system.
Three big news
"My father's dream," says Francesca Cesarini, "was to give young people the opportunity to make their mark through new technologies, without geographical or economic barriers. His enthusiasm for innovation inspired me to create something that could unite past and future."
This second edition of the Cesarini Award marks a decisive step. «The competition – Francesca goes on – It will in fact be valid as the first Italian FCI e-sport Championship in the Junior category. Not only that, but for a correct and complete analysis of the data, to further reduce the gap between real and virtual cycling, there will be the support of Mapei Sport Center». In practice, the winner will be able to access a complete physiological and biomechanical evaluation at the Mapei Sport Research Center.
But the most important and super fresh news concerns the final prize. «The junior winner will be able to experience a real internship with the team Jayco-AlUla, Australian WorldTour team. An extraordinary opportunity to connect with the world of professional cycling. Jayco-AlUla showed great interest in this initiative and it was great to reach an agreement with them." Jayco's head coach, Marco Pinotti. Who, as a good engineer, knows a thing or two about instruments and technology.
Last year the winner had the chance to pedal with the UAE Emirates, living an experience that represents the perfect synthesis of the motto “Dream Ahead”: dream big, pedaling towards the future.
An eye on the program
The competition will be held Saturday October 25 2025 and will follow a streamlined yet selective format. There will be four heats, each consisting of ten athletes. The top two in each heat, along with the two fastest overall times, will advance to the afternoon final. All under the technical supervision of a first-rate trainer such as Pino Toni.
Each test will last between 12 and 18 minutes, with the rider's personal bike mounted on a certified Elite trainer and connected to the MyWhoosh platform. All weight and height data will be uploaded to the app before the competition to ensure the fairness of the simulation.
Registration is reserved for athletes born in 2007, 2008, and 2009 who are among the top ten in the regional performance rankings as of September 22, 2025. Applications are now open October 1, 2025 and will close two days before the race. It's worth noting that this year the event is also open to amateurs, with the competition taking place on Sunday the 26th. This event counts toward the qualification for the Italian eSports champion. There are Elite and DMT prizes up for grabs.
"This award in memory of my father," Cesarini concludes, "is something I care deeply about. It's a project I see is generating interest and is growing. It is no coincidence that there are already ideas and projects for the future... always aimed at young people».
