All About Tomorrow’s Zwift Grand Prix Series Finals

The Zwift Grand Prix’s season-long schedule of elite men’s and women’s races ends tomorrow, March 3rd, with the Series Finals. The action begins at 6pm UTC/1pm ET/10am PT and can be watched on Zwift’s YouTube channel:

This was a groundbreaking series in many ways, providing the launchpad for the “Battle Royale” format recently used in the 2023 UCI Cycling Esports World Championships. In fact, Zwift collaborated with the participating teams to create and improve unique race formats throughout the season, laying the groundwork for future events which are more “uniquely esports” and less about trying to replicate outdoor racing.

Let’s take a look at who made it into the finals, then dig into the new “Points Hunter” race format being raced on Friday.

Teams In the Finals

We began the season in September 2022 with 24 teams (12 men’s, 12 women’s). The top 10 teams (5 men’s, 5 women’s) will compete in the Series Finals:

Finals Format

The Zwift Grand Prix Series Finals will take place on Scotland’s The Muckle Yin route, with the men’s and women’s races each starting 25 riders (5 riders from 5 teams). All the points earned during the regular season have been reset, so the overall winners will be decided based solely on the points earned in this final race.

Named “Points Hunter”, Zwift describes the Series Finals race format as “a classic points race with a major twist”:

• Each rider can only score points once during the race. Once a rider scores points they will stop racing – their job for the day is done.
• Only 10 out of the 25 riders will be able to score points. So every point scored is super valuable! Lots of riders will leave empty-handed.
• Teams need a great strategy to hunt for maximum points across the entire race using their whole squad. No single rider can dominate.
• Points scoring opportunities come thick and fast throughout the race, across different terrain, providing opportunities for different types of riders to excel.
• The number of points available is fixed at each intermediate arch throughout the race, with more points available at the finish line. But only 10 riders score points – leaving it too late could prove risky!

The first 5 scoring opportunities come at segment arches, and they increase in value as the race goes on. Only the first rider across the line will earn points:

• Breakaway Brae Rev (1 pt)
• Sgurr Summit North (2 pts)
• Breakaway Brae (3 pts)
• Sgurr Summit South (4 pts)
• The Clyde Kicker (5 pts)

The final 5 scoring opportunities come at the finish line, where the first 5 across the line will earn 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 points.

Anvil and Aero Boost powerups will alternatively be given at designated arches, as shown above.

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