Hamilton rider Kate McCarthy has become the latest kiwi cyclist to become a world champion, claiming the UCI Esport World Championship in Abu Dhabi today.

McCarthy had qualified as one of the 20 female finalists for the new MyWoosh-powered competition, with the qualifying process done individually in the homes of each rider.

The 20 top riders from the semifinals were flown to Abu Dhabi for the finals, staged over three different races comprising a timed sprint multi-lap race, a hilly climb road race and a criterium over four laps. They competed side by side in a live arena in Abu Dhabi, racing on the MyWoosh platform.

The overall title was decided on the last sprint of the final event with the New Zealander by just two points from Brazil's Gabriela Guerra. The pair featured in the final surge to the line, with McCarthy edging away to claim the win and the title. 

She finished just four points from Guerra with Switzerland’s Kathrin Fuhrer third.

“I knew I had to come in from the back – there was plenty of draft. Me and Lou Bates (GBR) drifted off the back and came through – I think I just got her in the end,” said McCarthy.

“What is unique about this competition until the final is that we don’t see eachother when we are racing so there are a lot of mind games in that you can’t see how others are actually feeling – you have to go off feel yourself.

“I think that mental game is everything – being able to push past what you think you can  do, how hard you can push and how hard you can go.

“The first thing I do will be to call my family.”

Christchurch’s Ollie Jones, who was the top qualifier, started strongly in the opening event but had to settle for ninth overall, won by Germany’s Jason Osborne.