Josh Harris Claims Australian National Esports Championship Title

At Mackay Cycles, we're thrilled to celebrate an incredible milestone for one of our brand ambassadors, Josh Harris. Over the weekend, Josh took on the very best in the country and emerged victorious at the Australian National eSports Championships held on MyWhoosh — a virtual cycling platform increasingly gaining traction in the world of competitive cycling.

Racing on the simulated "Wollongong" route — a course inspired by the real-world road worlds — Josh faced 20km of punchy, rolling terrain that finished with a demanding uphill sprint. With national pride and a coveted jersey on the line, Josh delivered a masterclass in tactics, grit, and power.

From the gun, the race was aggressive. Numerous riders launched attacks, including strong names like Lindon Milostic and Andrew Downey. Many of these efforts were tactically driven to wear Josh down, knowing his climbing punch could decide the race. Josh followed 18 separate attacks throughout the 28-minute race, never letting a threat slip by uncontested.

Despite multiple riders racing from a live venue in Queensland known as “The Cube,” Josh opted to compete from home in Tasmania. This decision proved critical, allowing him to race in optimal conditions with a familiar setup. Though some questioned the move, it reflected Josh’s meticulous preparation and confidence in his approach.

As the race wore on, tactics intensified. Attacks came thick and fast — especially from the Milostic camp — but Josh held strong, constantly closing gaps and refusing to let anyone break clear. When Downey unleashed a powerful surge on a downhill section, Josh responded with over 700 watts to reel him back.

The final decisive moments came on the uphill finish. Lindon launched a blistering attack, hitting 9 watts per kilo. Josh answered with 10, tucking into his draft and saving his final effort for the perfect moment. With 300 meters to go, Josh unleashed a devastating sprint, surging to over 700 watts once more and crossing the line first — fist raised in virtual celebration.

Victory didn’t bring wild celebration for Josh. In his own words, the emotion was pure relief. After a dominant season, he felt immense pressure to seal the title and prove he was Australia’s best. "There was only one acceptable outcome," he admitted. And he delivered.

Josh averaged 5.7 watts per kilo for the race, with a normalised power of 382 watts — numbers that speak volumes about the race’s intensity and his phenomenal form. As he reflects on the season and looks ahead, he's hoping to enjoy the races a little more while maintaining the same world-class standard.

Congratulations to Josh Harris — the new Australian National eSports Champion. At Mackay Cycles, we couldn't be prouder to support such a talented and determined athlete. His win is a testament to the growth of virtual cycling and the incredible level of talent emerging from our community.

Stay tuned — Josh’s season isn’t over yet, and there are more exciting announcements to come!

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