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VO2sday Micro Races, Week 4: 4-Minute Races, Category Changes, and Fresh Scotland Routes

Eric Schlange
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2
VO2sday Micro Races, Week 4: 4-Minute Races, Category Changes, and Fresh Scotland Routes

VO2sday Micro Races, Week 4: 4-Minute Races, Category Changes, and Fresh Scotland Routes

Last week’s third running of the new VO2sday Micro Races went well… at least for some of you. Me? I didn’t have the legs. But I’m hoping to come back strong this week.

This week, we’re doing time-based races for the first time ever. We’re also heading to Scotland for a new set of routes, with categories tweaked a bit. Read on for details…

Time-Based Races!

Changing these from distance-based races to time-based has been feeling more and more like the only way to go, since distance-based racing creates a situation where the strongest riders complete the course quickly (often under 4 minutes) while lower categories may take 5+ minutes. This leads to an unpredictable workout and inconsistent recovery times.

This week, I’m taking the plunge and just doing it. Special thanks to James Bailey at ZHQ for helping to make this happen!

All VO2sday events for May 26 will be 4 minutes long, regardless of your category or how hard you ride. The goal? Ride further than your competitors!

Important note: Because these are time-based races, the only meaningful race results you’ll see this week are on the finishing screen that pops up at the end of each race, and the race results in Companion or at zwift.com. ZwiftPower will not display results properly.

We won’t have a 5-race GC competition this week, because we don’t have a way to combine rider distances from each race and show them on a leaderboard (ZwiftPower doesn’t support this). The good news is, I’m working with Nathan Guerra and his brilliant team over at Leadout Sports to make it happen. This week we’ll be testing it in the background – hopefully next week it’ll be live!

Compound Score Category Adjustments

I’ve tweaked the CS-based categories a bit further this week, to reduce the C and B groups and enlarge A and D. Here are the new categories:

  • A: 1600+
  • B: 1200-1600
  • C: 900-1200
  • D: 900 and below

May 26 Race Details and Signup

Here are this week’s courses:

Races are held at three different times each Tuesday:

  • Zone 1: 11am UTC/7am UT/4am PT
  • Zone 2: 5pm UTC/1pm ET/10am PT
  • Zone 3: 11pm UTC/7pm ET/4pm PT

Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/vo2sday >

Structured Workout Racing

The VO2sday Micro Races are nothing like your typical Zwift scratch race. Here’s how these races are distinctly structured to be engaging and fun while delivering a proper VO2 max session:

  • 5 races in less than an hour – that’s 5 hard VO2 max intervals.
  • Very short efforts: Each race is very short, only 4 minutes, just like a good VO2 max interval.
  • Recovery time: Races are 10 minutes apart, so a 4-minute race leaves you with 6 minutes of recovery before the next interval.
  • 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.
  • Compound Score categories: Since results will be driven by your power numbers, riders will be categorized based on compound score, not Zwift Racing Score. This takes into account your 5-minute power and body weight.
  • 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. (Remember, 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!

Wattage Cottage Episode 2: MyWhoosh Anti-Doping, AI Recommendations, and Indoor Workout Innovation

Eric Schlange
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17
Wattage Cottage Episode 2: MyWhoosh Anti-Doping, AI Recommendations, and Indoor Workout Innovation

Wattage Cottage Episode 2: MyWhoosh Anti-Doping, AI Recommendations, and Indoor Workout Innovation

Welcome to the second episode of our new podcast. First: from Dave, Shane, and me, thanks for all the feedback on Episode 1! We’ve taken it on board, and will continue to dial things in moving forward.

Now, on to today’s show…

Shane just returned from the massive China Cycle show in Shanghai, and what he saw about the global indoor cycling market may not be what you’d expect. We have a quick chat about China and its influence on the world of indoor cycling.

From there: Zwift’s new levels are out in the wild — how is the community actually receiving them? Tim Searle already broke the code, but who are the highest-level Zwifters today, and how confident are we that the highest-mileage accounts are clean?

That question leads naturally into MyWhoosh’s in-home anti-doping program. A Zwift competitor putting real money behind eSports integrity. What does it signal, and does it put pressure on Zwift?

Then the crew goes deep on Zwift’s AI-driven Next Up feature — including a quiet but telling recent development powered by some guy named Alan at Zwift HQ. Have our AI overlords already taken over Zwift support to silence dissent? Is Zwift trying to become something more than an indoor riding platform, and is that the right move?

Moving on, we tackle a subject that’s been a burr in our saddles for years: Zwift workout innovation – or the lack thereof. Eric’s new VO2sday Micro Races are a unique, community-built format designed to deliver structured training stimulus through an engaging and competitive race. The first event drew 371 riders, which says something. So why isn’t Zwift doing this themselves? Shane jumps on his soapbox to make the case for terrain-based ERG mode and deliver a verdict on the recent workout HUD customization updates.

Finally: Zwift’s Rouvy acquisition dust is settling. The forums have had their say. We read the room.

Find us wherever you get your podcasts. Leave a review if the show is landing for you. Word of mouth is how independent podcasts grow.

Listen On:

Meet the Team

  • Dave Towle: The voice of American cycling, having called some of the biggest races in the country for decades. Now bringing that same sharp eye to the indoor cycling world.
  • Shane Miller (GPLama): Based in Australia, Shane is one of the most followed and trusted cycling tech reviewers in the world. If it connects to a trainer or measures a watt, Shane has tested it.
  • Eric Schlange: Founder of Zwift Insider, the internet’s most comprehensive and reliable resource for Zwift routes, updates, and platform intelligence. The guy who actually reads every release note.

Share Your Thoughts!

This is just the first episode of what we hope is a long-running and useful community Zwift podcast. Share your thoughts below. We’re listening!

Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of May 23-24

Eric Schlange
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0
Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of May 23-24

This weekend’s event picks include two rides on routes from the Route Chaser Challenge. If you’re hunting for more XP, check ’em out! We’ve also got some unique rides and banded sessions… a little something for everyone.

🤝 Bikealicious Climbalicious

✅ Banded　✅ Route Chaser

This banded ride on Watopia’s Spiral Into the Volcano (55.8km, 336m) lets you ride at whatever pace you’d like, while hanging with the group. Get some elevation in while enjoying the friendly and welcoming Bikealicious atmosphere!

Bonus: this route is one of three on Zwift’s Route Chaser Challenge, so if you complete it, you’ll pick up a healthy XP bonus!

Sunday, May 24 at 6pm UTC/2pm ET/11am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5589778

🤝 (Rubber-Banded) Ride with James’ Friends!

✅ Beginner-Friendly 　✅ Banded

Join Zwift’s James Bailey and friends for this beginner-friendly rubberbanded ride on Watopia’s Volcano Climb (23.1km, 203m), another Route Chaser Challenge route! You’ll ride for 60 minutes, which should be more than enough to finish this 25.8km route with 319m of elevation gain.

Remember, this is a banded ride, so you can ride at any pace you’d like. As long as you keep pedaling, you’ll stay with the group!

Saturday, May 23 @ 12:30pm UTC/8:30am ET/5:30am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5588830

🤝WOW – High Speed Ride on TT bikes with draft

✅ Fast Miles　✅ Upgrade Hack　✅ Unique Event　

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 Tempus Fugit this week – the flattest route on Zwift! Four different 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.

Sunday, May 24 @ 12:45pm UTC/8:45am ET/5:45am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5589700

🤝 Phoenix Rising Tronathon (Banded)

✅ Route Badge　 ✅ Beginner Friendly　 ✅ Banded

If you have yet to climb Alpe du Zwift, consider this event for your first attempt. This is a banded ride, so as long as you keep pedaling, you’ll stay in the pack, no matter how hard you push.

This week, the group is taking on Watopia’s Road to Sky route (17.4km, 1045m).

Sunday, May 24 @ 1:15pm UTC/9:15am ET/6:15am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5589713

🤝 Shimano Super Cycling Sunday

✅ Popular 　✅ Special Guests 　✅ Unlocks

Always a popular event, Shimano’s weekly series runs through the end of the year. Rides typically feature special guests, including WorldTour riders! Finishers unlock the Shimano Super Cycling Sunday kit and Lazer Sphere helmet.

This is an open-paced ride on 1 lap of France’s Douce France route (24.6km, 133m).

Sunday, May 24 @ 8am UTC/4am ET/1am PT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5552920

How We Make Our Picks

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!

All About Zwift Insider’s ZIMetrics: Frame and Wheel Performance Ratings + Route Ratings and Time Estimates

Eric Schlange
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12
All About Zwift Insider’s ZIMetrics: Frame and Wheel Performance Ratings + Route Ratings and Time Estimates

All About Zwift Insider’s ZIMetrics: Frame and Wheel Performance Ratings + Route Ratings and Time Estimates

We’ve recently completed an expansion of our ZIMetrics data, and are now using it to show precise metrics for all bike frames, wheelsets, and routes in Zwift.

On top of that, we’ve just launched detailed homepages for every frame and wheelset in the game! (See them by selecting a frame from our master frames list, or a wheelset from our master wheels list). While we’re still entering data and images for some frames and wheels, the basic info is in place and quite useful.

If you have questions about how ZIMetrics work, read on for details.

Route Ratings

Each route also has an objective “Rating” score between 0 and 100. This is simply a normalized version of the time estimates (more on those below). For example, if ZIMetrics estimates that a route will take 40 minutes to complete, that means it will have half the rating of a route estimated at 80 minutes.

Yes, it’s not a perfect metric. But I’m not sure such a metric exists. The ZIMetric route rating is a simple way to rank routes against each other.

The current highest-rated (that is, the toughest) route – London’s “The PRL Full” – is rated at 100. If a tougher route gets released all scores will automatically be recalibrated based on the new maximum.

Route Time Estimates

First, let’s acknowledge that there’s no way to estimate a perfectly accurate completion time on Zwift, unless it’s a TT race and you’re perfectly following a particular “power plan” à la BestBikeSplit.

Our goal with these time estimates is to predict how long it would take a semi-experienced rider, riding efficiently in a group, to finish one lap of the course, including any lead-in. The algorithm assumes you’re a 75kg, 183cm rider drafting on the flats, on a decently fast bike, and pushing harder on climbs than on flats and descents.

Basically, the algorithm is based on a typical Zwift group ride or race situation.

Of course, draft conditions vary widely, as do rider height/weight, choice of bike, and power variability. To keep it simple and avoid requiring people to enter height, bike choice, etc, we made certain assumptions, and it doesn’t seem we lost much accuracy in doing so. In our backtesting, we found that the ZIMetrics estimates are almost always within 3% of the actual completion time. That’s certainly close enough for our purposes.

Bike Frame Performance Ratings

One common complaint from Zwifters (at least, the nerdier racers) is that Zwift’s 4-star rating system for aero and weight isn’t granular enough. That is, two bikes could both have the same rating, but perform quite differently.

With our performance ratings for bikes and wheels, we’re bringing a much higher level of precision to measuring the aero and weight characteristics of each piece of in-game equipment. Instead of 4 stars based on the frame/wheel’s in-game CdA and weight settings, we’re using a 0 to 100 scale based on the frame/wheel’s actual in-game performance.

See frame ratings by clicking a frame on our master list >

The metrics are quite straightforward for road bikes: an aero rating of 100 means it’s the most aero road frame in Zwift, while a rating of 0 means it falls below the performance of our baseline road frame, the Zwift Carbon.

There are a few details worth clarifying when it comes to frame metrics:

  • Stage 5: The performance metrics assume you’re using the max-upgraded version of the frame, not the stage 0 version. This is important to note because, while most road frames maintain the same performance gaps between each other from stage 0 to 5, a few road frames – notably the Specialized Aethos S-Works – follows a different upgrade path, and thus becomes a much better climber when fully upgraded.
  • TT Bikes: Ratings for TT frames are based on the performance of other TT frames. So a rating of 100 means it’s the fastest TT frame in Zwift, while a rating of 0 means it has the same or worse performance than our baseline TT frame, the Zwift TT.
    • Example: If the fastest TT frame has an hour time gap of 93.4, while our baseline Zwift TT has an hour time gap of 45.6 seconds, a frame directly between those two times (69.5 seconds) would earn an aero rating of 50/100.
  • Gravel Bikes: Ratings for gravel bikes work similarly to TT bikes – they’re based on the performance of other gravel bikes, not the performance of other road bikes.
  • Halo Bikes: Halo bikes are a bit tricky, because they include a wheelset, so you can’t exactly separate the performance of the frame from the wheels like you can with other bikes. Therefore, we compare Halo Bikes to the fastest road bike frame+wheel combos in the game. And even still, the aero rating is over 100, because fully-upgraded Halo Bikes are faster than any road frame+wheel combo (see Specialized Project 74 as an example).
    • The Pinarello Espada is an exception to this, since it’s a Halo TT Bike, not a road bike. For the Halo TT Bikes, we compare the bike to the fastest TT frame+wheel combo in game.

Wheelset Performance Ratings

We have the same sort of 0 to 100 ratings now in place for all wheelsets in Zwift (see example above). Wheel ratings have a few details worth noting as well:

  • TT and Road Ratings: Road wheels include aero and climb ratings for use on road bikes as well as TT bikes (see screenshot above). This is because some wheelsets – particularly disc wheelsets – perform differently on TT frames than road frames, because Zwift sets them up with a CdA bonus on TT frames to discourage their use on road bikes and encourage their use on TT bikes.
  • Gravel Ratings: Since Gravel wheels can only be used on gravel frames, we’re only comparing gravel wheels to each other for our metrics. So a gravel wheelset with an aero rating of 100/100 means it’s the most aero gravel wheelset available, but that doesn’t mean it’s as aero as a 100/100 road wheelset.

See wheel ratings by clicking a wheelset on our master list >

Questions or comments?

Hopefully Zwifters will find these metrics useful as they research routes to ride, and which virtual bike frame and wheelset to use for those rides.

Got questions or comments? Share below!

Tiny Race Series – May 23 Routes – Lazy Race Organizer

Eric Schlange
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0
Tiny Race Series – May 23 Routes – Lazy Race Organizer

Tiny Race Series – May 23 Routes – Lazy Race Organizer

See zwiftinsider.com/tiny for current Tiny Race details.

Run in the Park Summer 5K Run League Announced Beginning June 4

Jon Hancock
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7
Run in the Park Summer 5K Run League Announced Beginning June 4

Run in the Park Summer 5K Run League Announced Beginning June 4

For runners looking for a fun and flexible way to test themselves over the summer, the Run in the Park community is launching a new six-week 5K league on Zwift.

Starting on Thursday, June 4, the league offers runners of all abilities the chance to compete in a structured series while fitting their run around work, family, and time zone commitments. Read on for details!

A League for Everyone

Performance-Based Groups

The Summer Run League is split into four performance-based groups using 5K time thresholds:

  • Group A: Sub-22:20
  • Group B: 22:21 to 25:00
  • Group C: 25:01 to 28:51
  • Group D: 28:52 and above

This structure allows runners to compete against others of similar ability while still being part of one larger league. Runners who outperform their category will be promoted automatically.

Flexible Scheduling

Unlike traditional events with a single start time, each Thursday features 12 separate races, all on the Prospect Park Loop, beginning at 01:30 UTC and repeating every two hours throughout the day. Participants can choose the slot that suits them best, with all results automatically recorded through ZwiftPower.

Best Five Results Count

The league runs for six consecutive Thursdays, with each runner’s best five performances counting toward the final standings. This provides some flexibility for participants who may miss a week while maintaining a strong competitive element throughout the series.

Points are awarded within each group using an easy-to-follow system:

  • 1st place – 100 points
  • 2nd place – 98 points
  • 3rd place – 96 points
  • 4th place – 94 points
  • 5th place – 92 points
  • 6th and below, gradually decreasing.
  • Everyone completing the run will receive points

This format rewards consistent participation while keeping the battle for podium positions meaningful.

ZwiftPower Required

To ensure accurate and reliable results, participants must be registered with ZwiftPower and have both heart rate and cadence data recorded during each run.

League standings, weekly results, and FAQs will be published on the official Run in the Park website: www.runinthepark.co.uk.

How to Join

Simply register for one of the weekly events on Zwift, ensure your ZwiftPower account is active, and complete your chosen Thursday race. Your results will be added automatically to the league standings.

Sign up at www.zwift.com/events/tag/runinthepark >

More Than Just a Race

Run in the Park has built a strong reputation within the Zwift running community for its welcoming and inclusive events. The group regularly hosts:

  • Saturday 5K social runs, held every three hours from 07:15 UTC
  • Tuesday progressive workouts at 18:00 UTC
  • Community events suitable for runners of all levels

Whether you’re chasing a personal best, returning to running, or looking for some extra motivation through the summer months, the Run in the Park Summer 5K Run League offers a flexible and engaging way to run and race on Zwift.

Questions or comments?

Share below!

The Alpe du Zwift King: Magnus Kulset’s Record-Breaking Climb Back to the Pros

Kevin Winterfield
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13
The Alpe du Zwift King: Magnus Kulset’s Record-Breaking Climb Back to the Pros

The Alpe du Zwift King: Magnus Kulset’s Record-Breaking Climb Back to the Pros

For most cyclists, the Alpe du Zwift is a landmark achievement – a singular, grueling test of fitness that defines a Saturday morning. For Magnus Kulset, the 25-year-old Norwegian climber, the 21 hairpins of Watopia’s most storied peak became the backdrop for a feat of endurance that defied both logic and the limits of the human engine.

In early 2026, while navigating the strange, often silent limbo between professional cycling contracts, Kulset didn’t just climb the Alpe; he “Everested” it. In doing so, he set the fastest known time for a virtual Everesting on this specific segment: 7 hours and 6 minutes.

This wasn’t just a workout; it was a statement. In a sport where your value is often reduced to a spreadsheet of watts-per-kilogram and UCI points, Kulset used the virtual world to remind the cycling community that his engine is still very much WorldTour-caliber.

The Record: 8,848 Meters of Virtual Reality

The concept of vEveresting is simple in theory and devastating in practice. A rider must climb the equivalent height of Mount Everest – 8,848 meters (29,029 feet) – in a single activity on a virtual platform. There are no shortcuts. The Everesting Hall of Fame rules are strict: the smart trainer must be set to 100% gradient difficulty, meaning every percentage of the Alpe’s 8.5% average grade is felt in the legs.

To hit the target on the Alpe du Zwift, which gains 1,035 meters per ascent, a rider must complete roughly 9 laps. For Kulset, this meant over seven hours of relentless climbing.

“I didn’t prepare,” Magnus admits. “I just did my normal training and took an easy day two days before. Then it was just a matter of fueling, drinking, and eating enough.”

Maintaining that level of intensity for over seven hours is a masterclass in metabolic management. Every descent – roughly 10-12 minutes of “free” speed on the Alpe – was a calculated window to refuel and recover before hitting the bottom of the climb and starting the 1,000-meter grind all over again.

The Stats of the Record Ride:

  • Total Elevation: 8,852 meters
  • Total Time: 7 hours, 6 minutes
  • Distance: 202 km
  • Average Gradient: 8.60%
  • Laps of Alpe: 9

While many high-profile vEveresting attempts are months in the planning, Kulset’s “just showed up” approach speaks to the baseline fitness of a man who has spent the last five years in the professional peloton.

The Uno-X Legacy: A Norwegian Talent Factory

To understand the power behind this record, you have to look at the jersey Magnus wore for most of his career. Between 2021 and 2025, Kulset was a cornerstone of the Uno-X Mobility project.

The Norwegian team has become famous in the cycling world as a talent factory, a program dedicated to developing Scandinavian riders and bringing them to the biggest stages in the sport, including the Tour de France. Magnus rose through the ranks of the Uno-X Dare Development Team before moving to the ProTeam in 2023.

He wasn’t just a rider; he was part of a cycling dynasty. The Kulset name is synonymous with Norwegian cycling excellence. His brothers Kristian, Sindre, and Johannes are all professional cyclists. In fact, his younger brother Johannes is currently making waves as a GC leader for Uno-X at the Giro d’Italia, representing the next generation of the family legacy.

During his time at Uno-X, Magnus was known as the ultimate helper. A pure climber weighing in at a naturally lean 56-58kg, he provided critical support for team leaders in the high mountains of races like the Tour of Slovenia and the Presidential Cycling Tour of Türkiye. However, the professional peloton is a fickle place. As Uno-X tightened its roster for a 2026 WorldTour push, Magnus found himself without a contract extension – a victim of the increasingly competitive nature of the sport.

The Crossroads: Doubling Down

The end of 2025 was a period of uncertainty for the Kulset family. Despite his proven track record as a domestique and his climbing prowess, the elusive first professional win and the sheer volume of available talent meant Magnus was left hunting for a home. Instead of hanging up the wheels, he doubled down. He signed with the UCI Continental team Team Ringerike for the 2026 season, choosing to stay in the game rather than fade away.

2026: The Road Back Starts in Redlands

If the vEveresting record was a display of raw power, his performance in the 2026 season has been a display of race craft. Magnus recently traveled to the United States to compete in the Redlands Bicycle Classic, one of the most prestigious stage races in North America. Competing against a field of hungry Continental pros and elite domestic teams, Magnus finished 21st in the General Classification. 

For Magnus, 2026 is a “bridge year.” He is using his time with Team Ringerike to refine his time-trialing position and lift his functional threshold power. He has ditched the traditional fixation on long “Zone 2” rides in favor of more modern, high-intensity training – data he often shares on his Strava and validates through his Zwift records.

The Virtual Tool: Why Zwift Matters for the Pros

The question often arises: Why would a pro cyclist spend seven hours on a trainer when they could be outside? For Magnus, Zwift is more than a training tool; it’s a laboratory.

  1. Controlled Intensity: On the Alpe du Zwift, there are no stoplights, no traffic, and no downhill sections that force you to stop pedaling (unless you choose to). It is the purest way to test a rider’s climbing ceiling.
  2. Psychological Fortitude: Everesting is as much a mental battle as a physical one. Doing it virtually, staring at a screen while the body screams for rest, builds a level of suffering capacity that is vital for the final 5km of a WorldTour mountain stage.
  3. Visibility: In the modern era, a record on Zwift is a resume. Managers and scouts look at Zwift Power data. A 7-hour, 6-minute Everesting is a blinking neon sign that says, “This rider is ready to work.”

The Hope for 2027

Magnus Kulset is not done with the pro peloton. His goal for the remainder of 2026 is clear: secure a return to the ProTeam or WorldTour level for 2027. He is a rider who has lived through the highs of WorldTour racing and the lows of contract uncertainty, and he has emerged with a refined perspective.

He continues to be a loyal servant to the sport, whether he is leading out a teammate in a UCI 1.2 race in Norway or setting world-class times on a virtual mountain. For the Zwift community, Magnus’s story is a reminder that the leading avatars we see on the screen are often driven by real-world dreams and an unbreakable spirit.

Next time you’re struggling through the hairpins of the Alpe, take a moment to think of Magnus. He didn’t just climb it once; he did it nine times, back-to-back, faster than almost anyone else on the planet. And he’s just getting started.

Magnus Kulset currently races for Team Ringerike. You can follow his pursuit of a pro contract and his latest training data on his social media channels:

Are you ready to attempt your own Everesting? Check out vEveresting: An Objective Review for tips on fueling, gear, and surviving the Alpe.

Top 5 Zwift Videos: Fitness Tests, Training Plans, and Road Racing

Oli Chi
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1
Top 5 Zwift Videos: Fitness Tests, Training Plans, and Road Racing

How much does three years of consistent riding improve your fitness? In this week’s top video, watch as one rider tests their fitness and compares it to results from 1000 days ago.

Also included in this week’s picks are videos about DIY training plans, road racing on Zwift, thoughts on Zwift Community Live, and fitness testing.

I Rode on Zwift for 1000 Days. Did I Get Better?

After riding on Zwift for 1000 days, Adam from Road to A tackles an FTP test to see how much he has improved.

Reviewing a Master’s Cyclist DIY Training Plan | Cycling Coach Reacts

Cycling coach Jesse Coyle reviews the training of Phil (Bike Racing Without Mercy) and shares feedback on what Phil is doing well and what could be improved.

Gravel was Hard… Road is Finally Back!

Liam Shaw is back to road racing after a stretch of racing gravel on Zwift. Can he hold on to the front group and battle for the win?

Road Cycling In Mallorca Was Great… But I Have Regrets!

Jessica Strange recaps her trip in Mallorca at Zwift Community Live and shares some of her regrets that she now has, looking back on the experience.

I Tested My FTP After 200 Days of Cycling

Dead Last Cycling tests his FTP after 200 days of consistent training. How does his fitness compare to the start of his cycling journey?

Got a Great Zwift Video?

Share the link below and we may feature it in an upcoming post!

All About the New Swiss Side HADRON Ultimate Disc Wheelset in Zwift

Eric Schlange
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7
All About the New Swiss Side HADRON Ultimate Disc Wheelset in Zwift

All About the New Swiss Side HADRON Ultimate Disc Wheelset in Zwift

This week’s game update includes two new wheelsets from Swiss Side, long-term collaborators with DT Swiss, whose in-game wheels are familiar to any Zwift racer since they’re fast! Swiss Side helps optimize the aerodynamics of DT Swiss’ high-end wheel lines, while DT Swiss provides manufacturing capabilities and hubs for Swiss Side.

Swiss Side has also partnered with Van Rysel to optimize the aerodynamics of their bike frames, so it’s no coincidence these new wheels dropped at the same time as three new Van Rysel frames arrived in Zwift’s Drop Shop.

Here’s how the Swiss Side HADRON Ultimate Disc wheelset is described in the Drop Shop: “Maximum aero, no distractions. The 850 front and rear disc are designed for pure efficiency, minimizing drag and stabilizing airflow at race speed. Developed with Swiss precision and real-world testing, this setup is all about sustained power and straight-line speed.”

The wheels are now available in the Drop Shop, accessible at level 39 and above, for 900,000 Drops. They are rated 4 stars for aero and 1 for weight, just like other top disc wheelsets. But how do they compare? Since Zwift’s 4-star rating system isn’t precise enough for our tastes, we ran these wheels through our standard battery of tests to determine exactly how they perform in Zwift and stack up against other wheelsets.

Let’s dive in and learn all about the in-game performance of Swiss Side’s first disc wheelset in Zwift!

Aero (Flat/Rolling) Performance

Swiss Side’s HADRON Ultimate Disc wheelset matches the DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 85/Disc in terms of performance. And this makes sense, since they’re the same wheelset IRL, with different branding. Because of that, their weight and CdA settings in Zwift are identical to the DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 85/Disc.

The DT Swiss disc is the fastest disc wheelset in Zwift, which means the new Swiss Side disc is also the fastest wheelset in game! Both wheelsets outpace our stock 32mm carbon wheelset on the flats by ~69 seconds across an hour on a TT bike, and ~50 seconds on a road bike.

Climb Performance

The Swiss Side disc matches the DT Swiss disc on our climb tests as well, although of course, disc wheels don’t exactly shine on climbing tests due to their high weight!

Both wheelsets lose ~20 seconds per hour of climbing compared to the stock 32mm carbon hoops, whether you’re on a TT frame or road frame.

Note: all test results above are from a 75kg, 183cm rider holding 300W steady using the Zwift Carbon frame.

Conclusions

Swiss Side’s HADRON Ultimate Disc is now tied with the DT Swiss ARC 1100 DICUT 85/Disc as the top disc wheelset in Zwift. But reflecting real-world pricing and the cachet of the DT Swiss brand, the Swiss Side disc costs 100,000 Drops less, and is unlocked one level earlier!

These wheels have been, or will soon be, added to the following posts:

Questions or comments?

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.

Hot Summer Nights Women’s-Only Racing Series Begins Tomorrow

FemmeCycle Collab
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Hot Summer Nights Women’s-Only Racing Series Begins Tomorrow

Hot Summer Nights Women’s-Only Racing Series Begins Tomorrow

The FemmeCycle Collab is hosting a women’s-only eight-week racing series on Zwift designed to test every facet of virtual racing — from explosive sprints to sustained time-trial efforts to tactical pack racing. And it all kicks off tomorrow (Tuesday, May 19)!

Formats at a Glance

  • Individual Time Trials (Weeks 1 & 5) – solo efforts against the clock.
  • Mini Races (Weeks 2 & 6) – short, sharp multi-heat formats.
  • Points Races (Weeks 3 & 7) – sprint & KOM zones reward the brave.
  • Scratch Races (Weeks 4 & 8) – classic mass-start, first wheel wins.

Timezones

Each week offers two timezone-friendly race slots. Riders may race either slot, but points only count toward the classification of the timezone in which they first raced. Riders may not switch timezones mid-series for IGC classification; the timezone of a rider’s first scoring race is their home classification for the remainder of the series.

  • Slot A – 17:00 UTC (Europe evening / North America midday)
  • Slot B – 23:00 UTC (North America evening / Asia-Pacific morning)

Eligibility & Categories

Open to all riders who self-identify as women. Categories use Zwift Racing Score (ZRS) brackets. Choose your category carefully, as points will not carry over if you upgrade or downgrade categories mid-series.

The Races

All races take place on Tuesdays, with two available slots: 17:00 UTC and 23:00 UTC. Unless noted otherwise, the primary point structure rewards the top five with 100, 95, 90, 85, 80 points, with every subsequent place dropping by 1 point.  Please note: SOME WEEKS HAVE MORE POINTS THAN OTHERS

Week 1 (May 19)

  • Time Trial (“Some Like it Hot”)
  • Route: Makuri Islands Island Hopper (18.1km for A/B/C, 10.8km for D/E)
  • TT bikes only (Cadex Tri assigned, upgrades in effect). No powerups.

Week 2 (May 26)

  • Mini Races (3 Back to Back) (“Dazed and Confused”)
  • Race 1: Crit City The Bell Lap (2 laps, 4km)
  • Race 2: Scotland Glasgow Reverse (2 laps, 7.2km)
  • Race 3: Scotland City and the Sgurr (5.2km)
  • Must complete all three. No TT bikes. Finish points from all three combine. Aero Boost powerups only.

Week 3 (June 2)

  • Points Race (“Fast & Furious”)
  • Route: Makuri Islands Chasing the Sun (35.1km for A/B, 23.6km for C/D/E)
  • Rewards finish points, plus bonus points for First Across the Line (FAL) and Fastest Through the Segment (FTS) on specific segments. Aero and Draft Boost powerups assigned randomly.

Week 4 (June 9)

  • Scratch Race (“Mama Mia”)
  • Route: Watopia Ocean Lava Cliffside Loop (1 lap, 19.2km, 156m)
  • Points awarded at the finish line only. No TT bikes. Aero Boost assigned in pen.

Week 5 (June 16)

  • Time Trial (“It’s Kinda Complicated”)
  • Route: Bologna Time Trial Lap (8 km)
  • You choose TT or Road Bike. Feather powerup assigned in pen (only available if no TT bike is used).

Week 6 (June 23)

  • Mini Races (3 Back to Back) (“The Long and Short of it”)
  • Race 1: Innsbruckring (7.1km for A/B/C, 5.3km for D/E)
  • Race 2: Avon Flyer (1 lap, 5.1km)
  • Race 3: Macaron (1 lap, 2.6km)
  • Must complete all three. Finish points from all three combine. No TT bikes. Random powerups (Feather, Aero Helmet, Draft Boost, Burrito, Ghost).

Week 7 (June 30)

  • Points Race (“Takin’ Care of Business”)
  • France Croissant (3 laps, 31.1km for A/B, 2 laps, 21.8km for C/D/E)
  • Rewards finish points, plus bonus points for FAL and FTS on specific segments. Aero, Burrito, Ghost powerups.

Week 7 (July 7)

  • Scratch Race (Series Decider) (“Show Me the Money!”)
  • Watopia Mountain Mash (5.9km for A/B/C, 3.7km for D/E)
  • Mass-start. Points awarded at the finish line. No TT bikes. Feather assigned in pen.

Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/fcc >

Individual and Team Classifications

Final results will be available on ZwiftPower. Across eight weeks, riders tackle four distinct race styles: Mini Races, Individual Time Trials, Scratch Races, and Points Races.  Your top six weekly results count toward an individual general classification (IGC), and the top 3 finishers per team per week aggregate to the team total. All 8 weeks count for teams (no drops). Riders do not need to participate in all weeks, but must have their race team as their primary team in ZwiftPower to count.

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