How did you get into cycling? In 2014, a friend took me mountain biking once and I was hooked.
How long have you been racing on Zwift? 9 months.
Are you part of a Virtual team? Nope. Not that I know of.
What do you love most about racing? Having absolutely no idea how it’s all going to pan out.
What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon)? I honestly don’t know what any of those are!
What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? Honestly, I did some of the Zwift Games women’s races, but barely any other women showed up. So, I guess I have no real experience to answer this one.
What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? Winning Stage 5 of Zwift Games, finishing on The Grade with a max HR of 199bpm, giving it my ALL and somehow managing to fend off the guy chasing me all the way up.
What is your favourite food to eat post race? Milk.
What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Don’t even think about it. Just get on, give it a go, learn from it and have loads of fun. No one cares where you finish btw.
Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? IRL … TDFF avec Zwift.
“Welcome to my favorite and least favorite time of the week…”
That’s how Titanium Ben starts off his latest VO2sday race video (below), and I think that sums up how most riders feel about these races. They’re so hard, but also so rewarding. (I also included a video from Bike Bonk Biff, where you can watch him experience VO2sday for the first time and regret his choice repeatedly.)
This week, I’m excited to announce the launch of beta race results hosted by Leadout Esports. But we need your help! More on this below…
Sign Up for Race Results from Leadout!
Leadout Esports, created by OG Zwifter Nathan Guerra and his team, is a platform that enables high-level esports competition on Zwift and other platforms. They’ve mostly hosted individual elite races thus far, but I’ve been working with them to build out a results engine for VO2sday since ZwiftPower can’t handle results for time-based races.
VO2sday races are 4 minutes long, and the goal is to get as far in each race as possible. The overall winner across the 5 races is whoever travels the furthest. These are the results Leadout enables – a ranking based on your total distance across all 5 events. You can also click to filter results by category or gender, and drill down into individual race results. Amazing!
We’ve got the beta results pages set up, and they look so good:
Tomorrow’s races will be our first live beta of race results with Leadout. But we need your help! Because of how Zwift’s API and privacy work, you must create a Leadout account and link it to your Zwift account. This will allow your details to appear in the Leadout results… otherwise, you’ll just show up as “Unregistered User” in the results.
Creating an account is free and easy – just click “Log In” on their site, then click to create an account. Sign up now >
VO2sday Micro Races are unlike any other Zwift race you’ve experienced. Here’s a complete list of what makes them special:
5 back-to-back races in less than an hour – that’s 5 hard VO2 max intervals.
Time-based: While the vast majority of Zwift races are distance-based (eg, race one lap of a particular route), VO2sday races are time-based. Currently, each race is 4 minutes long. The goal? Ride further than your competitors by holding the highest power you can muster across all 5 events.
Important note: Because these are time-based races, ZwiftPower will not display results properly. The individual race results you see on the finishing screen in game, in the Companion app, and at zwift.com are accurate. For overall results combinging the 5 events, see Leadout (more info above).
5 races in less than an hour – that’s 5 hard VO2 max intervals.
Compound Score Categories: Race categories are based on Zwift’s Compound Score, which factors in your 5-minute power and body weight. Compound Score categories for these events are set to:
A: 1600+
B: 1200-1600
C: 900-1200
D: 900 and below
Mix of courses: Each week’s race courses feature a mix of flat, climb, rolling, and even downhill parcours. Riders with lots of pure watts have the advantage in some races, while riders with strong w/kg have the advantage in others.
Mass start: While riders are broken into categories for results, these are mass-start events with all categories starting together, so everyone has riders ahead to chase. (Again, the goal is to push as hard as you can for the duration of the race, not to sit in the pack and conserve so you can sprint to victory in the last 15 seconds!)
Drafting is disabled, so these are effectively time trials. (Yes, you’ll want a fast TT setup.) Hopefully this forces you out of the “sit in then sprint” mindset, and into “hold steady high power for the duration” mode.
Questions or comments?
I’d love to hear your feedback after you’ve completed the latest set of VO2sday races. Share it below, along with any questions or comments you’ve got beforehand!
“Engineered from real-world data and validated by World Ultra Cycling Association (WUCA), this recumbent trike combines low-drag efficiency with exceptional stability. Its aerodynamic position lets you hold speed with less effort, offering a fast, controlled ride from a whole new perspective.”
It’s rated 4 stars for aero and 1 star for weight, like Zwift’s other recumbent (the Handcycle). But how does it actually perform? Since Zwift’s 4-star system isn’t the most granular of performance measurements, we ran the Recumbent Trike through our precise tests to measure performance at nerd-level detail. Let’s dive in!
Note: test results below are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady on the un-upgraded version of the Trike, unless otherwise noted.
Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance
The Recumbent Trike is slower than the Handcycle in our flat tests, losing approximately 37 seconds to it over an hour of riding.
To compare the Recumbent Trike to in-game bicycles, we have to decide what bike setup we’re comparing, since the Recumbent uses just one set of wheels. If you pick a typical racing setup like the Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 with DT Swiss 65 wheels, we can see that the Recumbent Trike loses around 12 seconds in an hour of riding.
Climb Performance
The Recumbent Trike is lighter than the Handcycle, and beats it handily in our climb tests, gaining around 65 seconds across an hour of riding.
While the Recumbent sort of held its own vs standard bikes in our flat tests, that is definitely not the case on climbs. Compared to that same Tarmac SL8 + DT Swiss 65 setup we referenced above, the Recumbent loses a lot of time, in the neighborhood of 410 seconds in an hour!
Upgrading Your Zwift Recumbent Trike
Like all frames in Zwift, the Recumbent Trike can be upgraded in five stages. It uses the Distance, Mid-Range upgrading scheme, giving it the following characteristics:
Performance At Each Upgrade Stage
This chart shows how many seconds this frame will save across 1 hour of riding compared to our stage 0 baseline frames (Zwift Carbon or TT). This is based on a 75kg rider, 183cm tall, at 300 watts, riding on tarmac.
Upgrade Stages (Distance, Mid-Range)
Stage
1
2
3
4
5
Totals
km
160
200
240
280
320
1,200
Cost
50k
100k
150k
200k
250k
750k
Upgrade
Aero
Weight
Drivetrain
Aero
5% Drops
160km: Aero Upgrade for 50k Drops
200km: Weight Upgrade for 100k Drops
240km: Drivetrain Upgrade for 150k Drops
280km: Aero Upgrade for 200k Drops
320km: 5% Drops Earning Upgrade for 250k Drops
Drafting Details
The Recumbent, like the Handcycle, differs from other Zwift bikes in how it drafts and gives a draft to others. Specifically:
An upright bike cannot draft a recumbent
A recumbent can draft another recumbent
A recumbent will get half the drafting effect when drafting an upright bike
Additionally, Zwift calculates rider CdA on the Recumbent Trike just like they calculate it for the Handcycle, which is the same way they calculate it for a standard bike. So your rider CdA is based on your height and weight, and doesn’t change based on the bike you’re on or the position of your avatar.
You can read more (and see our Handcycle test results) here, and I’ll use the rest of this paragraph to lodge a formal plea for Zwift to begin calculating “real-time rider CdA” based on the actual avatar positions we see on screen. Imagine if rider height mattered less when in the more flat-backed TT position, compared to the upright “in the draft” road bike position? More realism and dynamic performance? Yes please!
Conclusions
The Zwift Recumbent Trike is lighter than the Handcycle, but also less aero. If you want to climb in a virtually recumbent position, this is the frame for you. But when it comes to race performance, you’ll want to ride a standard road frame due to the way recumbents interact with the draft in Zwift.
Questions or comments?
What do you think of Zwift’s Recumbent Trike? Share below…
Important note: this post contains speed test results for Zwift frames or wheels. These results may change over time, and a bike's performance relative to others may also change. We don't always revise posts when performance rankings change, but we do keep current, master versions of our speed test results which are always available. See the frame charts, wheel charts, and Tron vs Top Performers for current performance data.
Introducing the Zwift Pro Tour: Accessible, World-Class E-Racing
If you’ve been following the virtual racing scene lately, you already know that the ECRO World Tour has completely changed the game. By introducing professional-tier infrastructure across a 77-race structured calendar mirroring the UCI World Tour, including custom team budgets, a live transfer market, and rigorous automated data integrity checks, ECRO has made Zwift racing feel like a true career simulation.
Just like in the real world, the World Tour can be daunting. The racing is unapologetically fierce, pitting all categories against each other in a signature mass start format with top-tier competitive squads often driving aggressive pace and tactics. It’s an excellent test of your fitness and skills, but many community members have asked about exploring other ideas and creating different opportunities for racers to test themselves against stronger competition or race at the front of the peloton.
In real-world cycling, top-tier racing doesn’t exist in a vacuum; it relies on the UCI Pro Team level to foster talent, test ideas, and give riders a clear stepping stone. Enter the Zwift Pro Tour. Founded by long-time ECRO fanatics Adam Dawson and Jesse Bauer, the Zwift Pro Tour is a brand-new community initiative built to act as the in-spirit “Pro Continental” tier to ECRO’s World Tour. It’s designed specifically to cater to athletes looking for structured, meaningful racing that gives a different group of riders the chance to shine, while also giving experienced racers and organisers the freedom to test out wild, innovative racing concepts and tactics without the pressures of World Tour events.
The Ultimate Testing Ground
The Zwift Pro Tour’s roots are deep in the ECRO philosophy, and it’s designed to be a complementary series that encourages new racers to try World Tour racing. Founders Dawson and Bauer wanted a space where the community could experience the joy of narrative-driven, structured racing while actively experimenting with the format. Want to see how unique category constraints, new point systems, or innovative team tactics play out in a live race environment? The Zwift Pro Tour is where those ideas will be put to the test.
Most importantly, it’s a welcoming environment. If you’ve found yourself in the challenging low-to-mid band of your racing category, a Pro Tour event just might be your opportunity to experience the thrill of chasing wins and podiums in real-world inspired one-day classics and stage races.
Race 1: The Copenhagen Sprint
To kick things off, the Zwift Pro Tour is making its grand debut by mirroring a favorite from the real-world calendar: the Copenhagen Sprint. Expect fast, tactical racing that rewards sharp positioning, smart draft management, and an explosive final kick. With an alternative category system to shuffle who’s at the top of the rankings, it’s the perfect opportunity to shake off the nerves, test your fitness, and build confidence for upcoming World Tour races.
There are two categorization schemes available, each with multiple time slots.
Zwift Pro Tour Category Racing (5 Time Slots)
Riders should enter the pen that matches their 90-day max vELO score on www.zwiftracing.app.
A – 1850-2350
B – 1450-1850
C – 1150-1450
D – 850-1150
E – below 850
Zwift Pro Tour Open Events (2 Time Slots)
Designed for racers who want to test themselves against the best, the Open races are also ideal for new riders looking to determine which category they should compete in.
How to Join the Peloton
Getting on the start line is simple. For now, the community is organizing directly through Zwift’s native social features. To secure your spot in the inaugural race and stay updated on the upcoming calendar, open up your Zwift Companion App, head over to the Clubs tab, and search for the Zwift Pro Tour club.
Sunday, June 14th: Copenhagen Sprint (Tempus Fugit; 2 laps; 37.6km)
Monday, August 3rd to Sunday, August 9th: Tour de Pologne (7 Stages)
ECRO World Tour
Wednesday, June 17th to Sunday June 21st: Chasing Suisse (5 Stages)
Saturday, July 4th to Sunday July 26th: Chasing Yellow (21 Stages)
Sunday, August 2nd: Chasing San Sebastian
Saturday, August 22nd to Sunday September 13th: Chasing Red (11 Stages)
Whether you’re looking to build your racing resume, help test the future of e-cycling formats, or simply find a competitive home that fits your current fitness level, the Zwift Pro Tour has a spot for you.
To learn more about the elite ecosystem that inspired this tour, check out the world-tier features over at www.ecro.app.
Questions or comments?
Share below, and we’ll do our best to reply with answers!
Zwift’s L’Etape Challenge is now underway, pushing thousands of Zwifters to complete in-game replicas of iconic Tour de France climbs featured in this year’s L’Etape du Tour event.
You can ride the climbs on demand to complete the challenge and earn the XP bonuses, or you can do it with others in an event on the weekends. This weekend features Col du Telegraphe, which is 11.9km long with 855m of elevation gain.
Want to accumulate lots of miles quickly? Join this popular group ride, which puts everyone on the fastest TT bike in game (Cadex Tri with DT Swiss disc wheels) with drafting enabled. It’s 100km, but it’ll be a fast 100km!
Riders are on Waisted 8 (30.7km, 144m) this week, and four pace groups are offered, released so the faster groups catch the slower groups over time.
Bike upgrading hack: on rides with forced bikes, whatever bike you’re on when you join the event is the bike that accumulates the distance/elevation/time. So, for example, you could accumulate lots of distance toward a gravel bike upgrade while riding the Cadex Tri in this event.
Here’s a popular, spicy long ~100km ride with two pace options: B group at 3-3.3 W/kg, or C at 2.5-2.9 W/kg. Both groups will be on Watopia’s Watts of the Wild (42km, 309m) for 100km, and both groups have optional efforts on some of the intermediate segments if you’d like.
Choose your desired pace, listen to the ride leader, and get that endurance work done! Both categories have a leader (yellow beacon) and sweepers.
A regularly featured event here on Zwift Insider, the BMTR Fundo consistently draws lots of joiners because it’s well led and run week after week, year after year.
This week’s ride is on Watopia’s Sugar Cookie route (33.6km, 251) and you have four distance groups to choose from, all the way up to 100 miles!
Once again, we’re featuring a popular ride from the newish ZABI squad. It’s a 120-minute banded ride on New York’s Double Parked route, which is 42.2km long with 330m of elevation.
We choose each weekend’s Notable Events based on a variety of factors including:
Is the event unique/innovative in some way?
Are celebrities (pro riders, etc) attending/leading?
Are signup counts already high, meaning the event is extra-popular?
Does the ride include desirable unlocks or prizes?
Does the event appeal to ladies on Zwift? (We like to support this under-represented group!)
Is it for a good cause?
Is it just plain crazy (extra long races, world record attempts, etc)?
Is it a long-running, popular weekly event with a dedicated leader who deserves a shout out?
In the end, we want to call attention to events that are extra-special and therefore extra-appealing to Zwifters. If you think your event qualifies, comment below with a link/details and we may just include it in an upcoming post!
Zwift Partners with Canyon and Pedal Mafia to Launch North American Junior Development Team
Zwift issued a press release this morning with exciting news for North American cycling: the launch of a U19 junior development team with clear goals, long-term funding, and major brand/team backing. Read the full press release below…
Zwift, the global online fitness platform for cyclists, today announced the launch of a North American U19 junior development racing team created in partnership with bicycle brand Canyon and cycling apparel brand Pedal Mafia. The team will field both men’s and women’s squads of junior riders from the United States, Canada, and Mexico, and will race in North America and Europe. The team has a clear ten-year mission: to put a North American rider on the top step of the Tour de France.
“It has been over twenty years since a North American rider stood on the top step in Paris, and we are committed to change that,” said Eric Min, Zwift CEO and Co-Founder. “North America is one of the most important cycling markets in the world, but professional road racing has all but disappeared here. Standing up a world-class team is our answer. We are investing directly in the next generation of North American talent, and are doing so alongside partners who share our belief that this sport deserves a bigger future on this continent.”
The new team arrives at a moment when North American road cycling lacks the visibility, fandom, and financial support it once enjoyed during the eras of Greg LeMond, Andrew Hampsten, and Steve Bauer, when their performances in the Tour de France lifted cycling into mainstream culture. With the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon and women’s cycling experiencing record growth (fueled in part by Zwift’s long-running partnership with the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift), the founding partners believe the time is right to invest in the youth riders who will define the next decade of the sport.
“For us, there is no better investment in cycling than the next generation,” said Canyon founder Roman Arnold. “When Eric first brought us the idea, the answer was an easy ‘yes’ and we are proud to be the first brand to back his vision of finding North America’s next Tour de France champion. I also believe this team will teach all of us something about building community and delivering value to sponsors in the social-first era we now live in.”
Crucially, the team will be anchored by a foundation established by Eric Min. Backed by long-term financial support from Zwift and private donors, the foundation is designed to fund racing, coaching, equipment, and athlete development well beyond a typical sponsorship cycle, eliminating the year-to-year financial uncertainty that has historically constrained programs like this one.
“Junior development cannot be a two-year experiment. It has to be a generational commitment,” said Min. “That is why the long-term plan is to establish an endowment for our team. We are creating a permanent platform for North American riders, one dedicated to helping our athletes reach their full potential on and off the bike, and we plan for it to be here long after our first champion carries the Yellow Jersey into Paris.”
Founding partners include Zwift, Canyon, and Pedal Mafia, with sporting and pathway support from Alpecin–Premier Tech, Fenix–Premier Tech, and Canyon//SRAM. “Eric and his partners have set an ambitious goal, and it’s not possible to reach a goal this lofty without a clear pathway to the top,” said Philip Roodhooft, General Manager of Alpecin–Premier Tech and Fenix-Premier-Tech. “We are honored that Alpecin–Premier Tech and Fenix-Premier Tech will bridge between this program and the WorldTour, and we believe the next North American Tour de France champion could very well come through this program.”
The team will be led by veteran cycling director Roy Knickman, a former Olympian and professional rider who rode for the iconic La Vie Claire (alongside Greg LeMond), Toshiba-Look and 7-Eleven teams with deep experience developing junior talent.
The new junior team will officially launch later in 2026, with its first full team camp in Europe planned for December ahead of the 2027 racing season.
Community vEveresting: Join Magnus Kulset and Amon Polierer to Tackle Double Everest for Suicide Prevention on June 18
The Zwift community has always been about more than watts, KOMs, and virtual badges; it is a global collective that routinely rallies to support each other through challenges on and off the bike.
This June 18th, in recognition of Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, professional cyclist Magnus Kulset and his close friend Amon Polierer are teaming up to take on one of the most grueling endurance milestones the platform has to offer: a Virtual Double Everesting on Alpe du Zwift!
Magnus KulsetAmon Polierer
The duo will be riding to raise critical awareness for mental health and suicide prevention, directing support to the life-saving work of Befrienders Worldwide.
Here is everything you need to know about the ride, the profoundly personal story behind it, and how you can be part of it all.
Event Logistics & Pace
Date: Thursday, June 18, 2026
Start Time: 5am UTC/6am CET
Location: Alpe du Zwift (Open World)
Target Pace: The duo will target an uphill power of 4 W/kg for as long as possible.
The Scale: A Double Everesting means climbing the equivalent of twice the height of Mount Everest in a single, continuous effort – over 17,600 meters (57,700+ feet) of vertical elevation gain without stopping.
The Backstory: A Personal Battle Against Silent Struggles
While Magnus brings his professional cycling pedigree to help pace the massive 16-hour expected riding time, the spark for this monumental challenge came from Amon. For him, the mission is deeply personal.
Last year, Amon’s mother attempted to take her own life. What followed was a long, exhausting journey marked by severe depression, multiple hospital admissions, and countless medical interventions.
“As a family, we experienced firsthand how devastating mental illness can be—not only for the person suffering, but also for everyone who loves them,” Amon shared. “Watching someone you care about fight a battle that often remains invisible changes your perspective forever. It taught me that mental health struggles can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstances. It also showed me how important it is to talk openly about mental health, to listen without judgment, and to ensure that people know support is available.”
Breaking the Silence: The Sobering Reality
Mental health struggles often remain hidden. Many people suffer in silence, believing they have to carry their burdens entirely alone. Magnus and Amon want to use the massive reach of the Zwift community to start vital conversations and highlight the staggering global impact of suicide:
Over 720,000 people die by suicide every year worldwide—approximately one life lost every 40 seconds.
Around 1 in every 100 deaths globally is due to suicide.
For every completed suicide, there are an estimated 20 suicide attempts.
It remains among the leading causes of death for young adults aged 25–29 globally.
Every single suicide directly fractures families, friends, colleagues, and athletic teammates.
“Behind every statistic is a human life, a story, and people left behind,” the team notes. “This challenge is not only about climbing 17,600 meters on Zwift. It is about reminding people that there is always hope, even in the darkest moments.”
Why a Double Everesting?
For both riders, cycling has always been a tool to clear the mind, reduce stress, build psychological resilience, and forge genuine human connections.
An Everesting attempt is physically exhausting and mentally punishing. In a small way, pushing through the deep physical discomfort reflects the immense effort required to continue moving forward through dark personal moments, and emphasizes the necessity of relying on others when you cannot carry the weight alone. While physical suffering on the Alpe eventually ends, many facing a mental health crisis feel permanently trapped. Magnus and Amon hope this ride serves as a beacon to break that isolation.
Supporting Befrienders Worldwide
All efforts and awareness from this ride are dedicated to Befrienders Worldwide, a vital global network of emotional support and suicide prevention organizations. Their network ensures that people in the depths of a crisis can find a compassionate, confidential volunteer to listen, understand, and care.
Their core message aligns perfectly with the ethos of this event: Talk. Listen. Reach Out. Sometimes, a single open conversation is enough to save a life.
How You Can Help
Whether you want to follow their journey, share their story on social media, join them in the open world to offer a draft, or simply use this as a reminder to check in on a friend, you are helping fulfill the mission.
Because mental health affects all of us. Because nobody should have to face their darkest moments alone. And because life is better with you here.
For many, Zwift has had a profound impact on their lives. In this week’s top video, one rider shares his inspiring story and how the platform changed everything for him.
We’ve also selected videos about a Zwifter’s return to racing, maximizing XP gains, analyzing tactical Zwift races, and epic journeys with Zwift.
I Downloaded Zwift By Accident. It Changed My Life.
Ryan Condon shares his incredible story of how starting on Zwift has changed his life.
Making a Return to Zwift Racing!
After a 2-month break from racing, Jessica Strange returns to Zwift racing and tackles stage 1 of the “Level Up” racing series.
Easy XP in Zwift: What To Check Before Your Next Indoor Ride
Titanium Ben shares tips and tricks on how to maximize your XP accumulation on Zwift.
Zwift Racing is Unforgiving…
Jeff from Norcal Cycling provides commentary and analysis of his recent Zwift race. Watch as he breaks down all of his strategic choices throughout the race.
I Just Landed My Dream Job… Again!
Thomas, aka The Cycling Tattoist, takes viewers through his day as heshares some exciting news about his next adventure with Zwift.
Got a Great Zwift Video?
Share the link below, and we may feature it in an upcoming post!
On June 1, Zwift quietly launched a series of “XP Express” events for riders and runners. Held on weekdays, these events award double XP. And even without any official announcements, they’ve become instantly popular, with hundreds of riders in each event.
This isn’t surprising, of course. With new levels recently launching for riders and runners, everyone on Zwift has levels to chase!
Event Details
Rides are classified as group rides (not races). But of course, with hundreds of riders in a mass-start event, the front is guaranteed to be a bit spicy. Rides are 45 minutes long, with no leader or stated pace.
The schedule is confusing because some days the rides are hourly, while other days they are every three hours. The changeover between days happens around 6am PDT, making it more confusing still. The best advice I can give you is: just check the calendar.
Many of the rides will be hosted by community teams, including today’s event with Team Vegan. This is a nice gesture by Zwift, and a smart one: instead of these events feeling like they’re crowding the calendar, they become opportunities for teams to gain more exposure, grow their communities, and give each event a unique flavor. A win-win-win for Zwift, teams, and riders!
XP Express events are currently showing on the public calendar through July 3, 2026, and it’s possible that we won’t see more of these until next summer.
Double XP + Route of the Week
XP Express rides change their route each week, matching the Route of the Week featured routes. That means you’ll get an additional 500XP the first time you ride the route each week, in addition to double distance XP!
As you ride, your distance XP will be double the normal rate: 40XP per kilometer or 64XP per mile. Runners also earn double, grabbing 80XP per kilometer or 120XP per mile. (Zwift says, “The XP Express is the ‘super shoe’ of Zwift running, where every stride counts twice.”)
New to Zwift? Learn how leveling up works with Zwift XP for cyclists and runners
