Last week, the Zagreb Cycling Federation took an important step into the world of virtual cycling by launching Zagreb League 1, the first organized virtual cycling league of its kind in Croatia. Organizers tell me the idea behind the league is simple: to promote virtual cycling as an accessible and enjoyable form of training and racing – especially during the colder, rainy winter months when outdoor riding is limited.
The debut race delivered an impressive turnout, with 129 riders on the start line, including around 40 riders from Croatia. Feedback after the first race was overwhelmingly positive, and with five races still to come, the hope is that even more riders will join this week!
What makes it special?
There’s a lot about the Zagreb League’s setup that makes it stand out from the crowd:
- Age-Based Results: Race categories are divided into five age-based groups, allowing riders to participate even if they do not yet have an established FTP on Zwift. This makes the league especially welcoming for new Zwifters.
- Gender-Based Results: While race signups are age-based, the final race results on ZwiftPower and all bonus point allocations are additionally split by gender. This means that women and men each have their own full set of five age-category rankings, ensuring fair competition and equal recognition across the league.
- Alternating Scratch + Points Progressive Races: The league includes 3 Scratch races and 3 Points races, with courses becoming progressively hillier as the series unfolds (see routes below).
- Best of 5: Although the first race has already taken place, the overall league standings are calculated from the best five results out of six, so it’s not too late to join.
- Neutralized Bikes: Equipment is fully neutralized, so beginners aren’t disadvantaged.
- Steering and Braking Disabled: So no riders have a steering advantage over others.
- Mass Starts: Races feature mass starts, and results do not affect the Zwift Racing Score, allowing riders to participate without pressure and focus on enjoyment rather than rankings alone.
Schedule and Routes
Zagreb League 1 consists of six races, held weekly on Thursdays at 18:20 UTC/13:20 ET/10:20 PT, running until the end of March.
- February 26: Coast to Coast (26.8km, 163m) – Points Race
- Powerups: Draft/Aero/Ghost
- March 5: Turf N Surf (24.7km, 196m) – Scratch Race
- Powerups: Feather/Draft/Steamroller
- March 12: The Muckle Yin (23.7km, 281m) – Points Race
- Powerups: Feather/Draft/Steamroller
- March 19: London Uprising (20.9km, 356m) – Scratch Race
- Powerups: Feather/Burrito/Anvil
- March 26: Royal Pump Room 8 (27.7km, 390m) – Points Race
- Powerups: Feather/Burrito/Anvil
Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/zbsvirtucup/ >
Registration + More Info
Register for upcoming races at zwift.com/events/tag/zbsvirtucup.
More information on Zagreb League 1 can be found in the Google race doc.
Join the Zwift club, named “ZBS Virtual” to see future events.
See race results on ZwiftPower at zwiftpower.com/league.php?id=3197
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
“Race categories are divided into five age-based groups”
No thanks, not interested in a “participation award”
“Pro Cycling” doesn’t have “age categories”
What’s the “justification” for having them in amateur competitive cycling?
There is not a single sentence in this text stating that this is professional virtual cycling event.
‘Organizers tell me the idea behind the league is simple: to promote virtual cycling as an accessible and enjoyable form of training and racing – especially during the colder, rainy winter months when outdoor riding is limited.’
Almost every amateur and many professional sports competitions use age groups to even out the field. Cycling is of course not one of them but since this is not Elite cycling race it doesn’t need to.
No where in your long winded reply have you “justified” age categories for amateur cycling that pro cycling doesn’t have. Because you can’t.
Have you noticed any pro cyclists over 60? Of course not, as no one that age can compete with the pros because people reach the peak of their physical abilities in their 20s typically, and then begin to decline in the decades that follow. So of course their are age categories for amateur cycling – in real life racing, not only on Zwift, so not sure what your problem is with that. No one is requiring you to compete in this series, so you are free to avoid it and only race in other non-age-grouped series. Hope that wasn’t too “long-winded” for you.
Not enough race times. I have to work.
We organized these races to encourage riders in Croatia to try Zwift.
Age-divided categories were used only because this was the only way for someone with no Zwift racing score or established FTP, to enter a race immediately.
The time slot was chosen for local riders, sorry
Raced round 2 last night. Absolutely brilliant racing from the off. The age groups worked well, a good mix of sprints and KOM to earn extra points, and with around 100 racing and all cats visible, lots of groups to work with. See you next week!