Here’s one simple question which Zwifters disagree on: can we draft while in workout mode?
A very recent Zwift Riders thread, in fact, shows the level of confusion on this topic. Or check out this Zwift forum thread from a year ago. Some Zwifters say yes. Others say no. So what’s the answer?
Well, the answer is yes–we can draft in workout mode.
Why the Confusion?
One reason why Zwifters may believe there is no draft is that the “Close the Gap” message is turned off while doing a workout. In normal riding (outside of workouts), this message is meant to encourage riders to get closer to the rider ahead in order to enhance the draft effect, but in an ERG workout we can’t modulate our power in order to catch a rider up the road, so the message would only be an annoyance.
There’s also confusion on this point simply because the question has never been clearly answered in Zwift forums and groups, as far as we can tell. So today we’re providing a clear answer!
Prove It
Don’t believe there’s drafting in workouts? Here are a few screenshots from a recent test we did in Richmond. One rider pulled at 300 watts steady, the other was in workout mode, doing whatever wattage was required for testing.
Here you can see our drafting rider sticking on the wheel of the 300 watt domestique while only putting out 228 watts. This lines up with our free riding drafting tests, showing that the draft effect in workouts is the same as any other ride type in Zwift. Additionally, note that the drafting rider is “sitting up,” indicating that they are drafting.
We then put the drafting rider on a TT bike – and he quickly dropped off the back at 260 watts. Which of course is correct, because TT bikes can’t draft in Zwift!
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