Home Blog Page 114

Zwift Racing Score Testing Begins via Zwift Labs

Eric Schlange
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136
Zwift Racing Score Testing Begins via Zwift Labs

Zwift Racing Score Testing Begins via Zwift Labs

Big news for the Zwift racing community this week: Zwift Racing Score has entered the building! How does it work, and what does it mean for Zwift racing? Let’s dive in!

First, a Bit of History

It’s long been known that Zwift’s power-based categorization scheme, while easy to implement, is far from perfect. Grouping riders based on their power numbers will always enable sandbagging on some level since riders with numbers near the top of their categories can keep on winning without being bumped into a higher category.

We all knew that a results-based categorization system was needed. But how exactly should that work? While ranking models already existed in both the video game and bike racing worlds, there was no “off the shelf” formula Zwift could grab that worked quite how they’d like.

One year ago yesterday, Zwift announced the public launch of their Racing Score metric. But the racing community wasn’t impressed with the first iteration, since it was based on ZwiftPower’s ranking metric, which many racers see as flawed.

So Zwift went back to the drawing board, bringing community Zwifter and race ranking guru Tim Hanson of ZwiftRacing.app in as a consultant. The new Zwift Racing Score is nothing like the original, and that’s good news! Zwift heard from the community and made big changes. Next week, Zwifters will begin experimenting with the new Zwift Racing Score. Exciting times!

How It Works

Zwift Racing Score is on a scale of 0-1000 (higher is better), and categories are broken up by assigning Racing Score ranges to each category. For example, July’s 5-category ZRacing events use the following score ranges to populate categories:

  • 725-1000
  • 575-725
  • 400-575
  • 225-400
  • 0-225

Zwift isn’t revealing the precise formula for computing each rider’s Zwift Racing Score. But here’s what we do know: everyone begins with a “seed” (initial) score computed based on your 30-second power, 10-minute power, and body weight. Zwift says:

“We calculate a new racer’s predicted score (seed score) using a compound formula based on CP30s and CP600s power outputs. We then normalize the power by weight and make further adjustments based on our analysis to ensure the score is fair across various weights and performance levels. After normalization, we apply a specific formula to transform these values into a final seed score between 0-1000.”

The primary way your score will increase or decrease is based on your finishing position in races and the quality of fields you race against. Again, Zwift isn’t sharing specifics. But the way they describe it working is exactly what we would expect:

“A higher finish against stronger competitors in races will increase your score more significantly. Conversely, lower placements or less strategic engagement in races will result in smaller gains or even reductions in your score. This method ensures that each racer’s score truly reflects their performance and growth in capability over time.”

There’s some level of “decay” built into the system, so your score may decrease if you don’t race. That said, your Racing Score won’t fall below your most recent calculated seed score.

To learn more, see Zwift’s support page on Racing Score >

Racing Score UI

Zwift Racing Score will show up on both the Zwift Companion app and zwift.com website in three different ways:

  • Viewing your current Racing Score
  • Signing up for scored races
  • Viewing scored race results

IMPORTANT: you must be a member of the Zwift Labs club in order to see your current score. Otherwise, you will only be able to see your score in scored race results. Join the Zwift Labs club >

Here are some screenshots showing how Zwift’s Racing Score will be displayed in Companion and online:

Viewing Current Score

Race Signup

Race Results

Upcoming Events

Zwift is setting up particular events from Zwift-owned racing series and some community-organized races to begin testing Zwift Racing Score. I call these “scored races” below, which means two things: the races use Zwift Racing Score for categorization, and the race results will affect your Racing Score.

  • Zwift zRacing Series (starting July 1): 4 time slots per day with be scored races: 0810, 1110, 1710, and 2210 UTC. These time slots will use 5 categories, except the 1710 time slot which will use 10 categories. The 10-category events are actually two separate events – a “low end” and a “high end” – each with 5 categories.
  • Zwift Crit Racing Club (starting July 1): 3 time slots per day will be scored races: 0940, 1740, and 2240 UTC. These time slots will use 5 categories.
  • Zwift Hill Climb Racing (starting July 5): 1 time slot for each week’s race will be scored. This time slot will use 5 categories.
  • Zwift Women’s Racing Series (starting July 2): all events for this series will be scored, and will split riders into 5 categories.
  • HERD Beginner Racing (starting July 6): all events for this series will be scored, and will split riders into 5 categories.
  • SZR Summer High-Low Series: all events for this series will be scored, and will split riders into 10 categories.
  • Zwift Insider Tiny Races (starting July 6): all events will be scored, and will split riders into 5 categories.

For now, all scored races will live under the Zwift Labs club, to make it clear that Zwift Racing Score is still in its testing phase. Join the Zwift Labs club to easily access these events in Zwift Companion and share feedback via club chat.

See upcoming Zwift Labs scored races at zwift.com/events/tag/zwiftlabs

Feedback Requested

Zwift says, “Through Zwift Labs, we’re activating Racing Score on a select set of Zwift-owned and community-led races. Our goal is to engage with a diverse group of seasoned racers and thoroughly test various racing scenarios during this initial phase of implementation. But it’s about much more than just racing, it’s crucial that we hear about all your individual experiences, as this will shape future development.”

If you participate in a scored race, be sure to share feedback in the Zwift Labs club chat afterward!

Concluding Thoughts

While it was a long time coming, I’m stoked that Zwift is finally rolling out Racing Score. And I’m crossing my fingers, hoping that everyone’s experience with scored races is a good one.

Because if Racing Score works as intended, it’s going to be the biggest change to Zwift Racing since category enforcement rolled out in February 2022. Results-based categorization means the end of sandbagging, which is huge. It also opens up the possibility of custom categories, meaning race organizers can modify the number of categories and their breakpoints, mixing up the race packs so riders aren’t always near the top or bottom of a category.

My guess is Zwift plans to test Racing Score for July and August, so it’s ready to go when Zwift season begins ramping up in September. I can’t wait to hop in and give it a try myself!

Questions or Comments?

Got comments or questions about Zwift Racing Score? Share below, or in the Zwift Labs club chat!

“Vive la France!” ZRacing Series Details (July 2024)

Eric Schlange
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15
“Vive la France!” ZRacing Series Details (July 2024)

“Vive la France!” ZRacing Series Details (July 2024)

Zwift’s “ZRacing” is the platform’s most popular ongoing race series. In July, the series is themed around the Tour de France, with all routes in Zwift’s France or Paris maps. Additionally, in a fresh twist, certain ZRacing events for July will use Zwift’s new Zwift Racing Score!

Read on for details about race routes, the overall monthly GC competition, and more…

Vive la France! – July’s Route Schedule

Here are the routes we’ll be racing in July (click route for details):

  • Stage 1 (July 1-7): R.G.V.
    • 1 lap (24.9km, 133m elevation)
    • Powerup: Draft Boost, Aero Boost 🛈
  • Stage 2 (July 8-14): Casse-Pattes
    • 1 lap (23.8km, 155m elevation)
    • Powerups: Feather, Draft Boost 🛈
  • Stage 3 (July 15-21): Douce France
    • 1 laps (24.8km, 137m)
    • Powerups: Draft Boost, Aero Boost 🛈
  • Stage 4 (July 22-28): Champs-Élysées
    • 2 laps (16.4km, 92m)
    • Powerups: Feather, Anvil 🛈

See upcoming “Vive la France!” events >

Series Structure

The ZRacing series consists of monthly sets of weekly races. Each race is scheduled for seven days (Monday through Sunday) and timeslots are consistent week to week.

Races are scheduled hourly times each day at 10 minutes past the hour, so there are plenty of available times to find a race.

See upcoming events at zwift.com/events/tag/zracingjul2024

Zwift Racing Score Test Events

For the first time ever, this month 4 ZRacing events per day will use the new Zwift Racing Score for categorization. Additionally, if you race these events, your race result will impact your Zwift Racing Score!

Scored events will occur at 0810, 1110, 1710, and 2210 UTC each day. These time slots will use 5 categories, except the 1710 time slot which will use 10 categories.

Read more about Zwift Racing Score >

IMPORTANT: if you want to compete in the monthly GC (see below), you’ll want to race the “normal” events, not these scored events, because the scored categories don’t line up with the GC categories on ZwiftPower.

Monthly GC on ZwiftPower

Each monthly series includes a time-based GC (general classification) tracking riders’ best finishing times for each week’s race. The overall winners in each category for the month are the riders with the lowest overall time for that month’s set of races.

See July’s GC on ZwiftPower >

With over 150 weekly timeslots available, riders can race each week’s event multiple times and try to better their finishing time. Tip: the fastest times usually come from the largest race fields!

You must use a heart rate monitor to show up in ZwiftPower results for this series.

If you aren’t signed up for ZwiftPower, check out our post How to Sign Up for ZwiftPower (and Why Every Zwifter Should Do It).

Get the Badge

Each month’s ZRacing series has a unique achievement badge, which you can unlock by finishing every stage for the month. There are no makeup events, so if you miss a stage, you miss out on the badge and competing in the GC.

One and Done

Zwift has planned these events to deliver a solid 1-hour workout, so each race should only take around 1 hour to complete, including your warmup and cooldown.

Questions or Comments?

Post below! 

Zwift Women’s Racing Series #2 Begins July 2 with Scored Races

Eric Schlange
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6
Zwift Women’s Racing Series #2 Begins July 2 with Scored Races

Zwift Women’s Racing Series #2 Begins July 2 with Scored Races

Zwift Women’s Racing Series returned in May, and participation numbers were solid. So Zwift has spun up a fresh round which includes the new element of scored races!

This is an 8-week series featuring time trials and scratch races. Riders accumulate points based on their weekly performance, and it all begins on Tuesday, July 2! See all the details below…

Event Schedule

Races happen on Tuesdays (Wednesdays in Australia/New Zealand) in four different timeslots:

  • 8:30am UTC/4:30am EDT/1:30am PDT
  • 5:30pm UTC/1:30pm EDT/10:30am PDT
  • 10:30pm UTC/6:30pm EDT/3:30pm PDT
  • Wednesday 1:30am UTC/Tuesday 9:30pm EDT/Tuesday 6:30pm PDT

There is also one timeslot each Saturday at 2:30pm UTC/10:30am EDT/7:30am PDT.

Browse upcoming events in the series at zwift.com/events/tag/zwiftwomen >

Route Details for 2024 Series #2

Here are the routes and dates for each race of this series:

Points Scoring and Series Competition

This is a points series where your best result each week earns you a certain number of points. Your best 6 weekly results will then be used for the overall ranking, which means you can miss two weeks or perhaps have an off week or two but still be competitive in the overall rankings.

Points are awarded based on your position in each event: if you win, you will score 100 points, 99 for second, all the way down to 1 point for 100th position.

Final results for each race can be found on ZwiftPower, and the overall series rankings can be found under Leagues>Zwift Women’s Racing Series.

Rules

This series is testing Zwift’s new Racing Score as a method of categorization and results.

If you upgrade mid-series, your points cannot be transferred to your new category. If you think it is likely that you will upgrade during this series, we recommend entering all races at the higher category.

These races are open to all women, but for your results to count, you must be wearing a heart rate monitor and using either a smart trainer or power meter. zPower riders will not be allowed to join these events.

First-Timers

Never raced before on Zwift? This is a great place to start! Here are a few tips to get you started:

  1. Sign up for ZwiftPower so you’ll be included in the final results
  2. Read How to Race on Zwift (Setup, Strategy, and More)
  3. Have fun! Just sign up and give it your best. You’ll get a great workout in with a bunch of amazing ladies!

Join the Club(s)

This series is hosted by the Zwift Ladies Only (ZLO) Club, although for July the events live under the Zwift Labs club since they are testing the new Zwift Racing Score.

We also recommend joining it on Facebook, as that’s where most of the discussion happens.

Questions or Comments?

Post below!

Tiny Race Series – June 29 Routes, and Last Week’s Results

Eric Schlange
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0
Tiny Race Series – June 29 Routes, and Last Week’s Results

Tiny Race Series – June 29 Routes, and Last Week’s Results

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

Now Shipping: the New Zwift Ride Smart Bike

Eric Schlange
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28
Now Shipping: the New Zwift Ride Smart Bike

Now Shipping: the New Zwift Ride Smart Bike

It was announced two weeks ago, and we published our full review a few days later. But today is the big day Zwift begins taking orders for the bargain-priced new Zwift Ride Smart Bike!

Pricing and Availability

Zwift Ride with KICKR CORE is now shipping to the US, UK, EU, Canada, and Australia. Orders may be placed at zwift.com and wahoofitness.com (Canadian and Australian customers must order via Wahoo).

Zwift Ride with KICKR CORE Pricing:

  • USA: $1299.99 + $75 shipping
  • EU: €1299.99 + €100 shipping
  • UK: £1199.99 + £65 shipping
  • Canada: $1,999.99 + $250 shipping
  • Australia: $2,299.95 + $250 shipping

Order Now

US, UK, EU Zwifters via zwift.com
Canada and Australia via wahoofitness.com

Note: if you purchase Zwift Ride via the links above, Zwift Insider will be paid an affiliate commission by Zwift or Wahoo. Thanks for your support!

Key Features

  • Virtual Shifting: flawless, instant, silent shifting via the handlebar controllers includes in-game gearing and shifting customization
  • Easy Adjustability: use the integrated Zwift Key to easily adjust saddle tilt, height and fore/aft as well as bar height and fore/aft
  • Real Feel: resistance changes to match in-game gradients, and Erg mode capability helps ensure you hit the right power numbers for your customized workouts
  • Always Ready: with its small footprint and easy one-time setup, you don’t need to bother with moving your bike on and off the trainer

Specifications:

  • Power Accuracy: +/-2%
  • Max Power: 1800W
  • Max Grade: 16%
  • Rider Fit Range: 5’-6’6” (152–198cm)
  • Max Rider Weight: 265 lbs/120 kg
  • Product Weight: 78 lbs. (frame + trainer)

See a full list of detailed specs in our review, or get a quick rundown of Zwift Ride’s key features from Rahsaan:

Questions or Comments

Post below!

Watopian Weekly Season 3 Episode 1 With the Zwift Insider Eric Schlange!

Eric Schlange
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0
Watopian Weekly Season 3 Episode 1 With the Zwift Insider Eric Schlange!

Watopian Weekly Season 3 Episode 1 With the Zwift Insider Eric Schlange!

This week Hollie and Dustin talk to Eric Schlange, the Zwift insider. We cover so many topics. Everything from Dustin was right about June 12th – it was an expensive tablet holder – to how to contribute to the Zwift Insider website to what is coming to Zwift this summer to hardware, to how Mark King is one of the greatest bass players of all time and more!

SPECIAL THANKS to Eric Schlange for making this work!

Approximate Times:

  • 00:00:00 Intros and Weekly Catch Up
  • 00:15:00 Zwift Ride
  • 00:27:00 Apple TV discussion
  • 00:30:00 Who’s using what devices to run Zwift?
  • 00:35:00 How Zwift are getting more riders
  • 00:41:00 How Zwift are dealing with other platforms
  • 00:46:00 MARK KING RULES!
  • 00:50:00 HUD Refresh and new things coming to Zwift
  • 00:53:00 Tim Hanson is a Legend – Zwift Race Score
  • 00:58:00 Zwift Going Public?
  • 01:01:00 Zwift History: What Happened to CVR?
  • 01:06:00 PacerBot / Vacuum Cleaners
  • 01:08:00 Sauce Discussion
  • 01:11:00 What Watopian Weekly has in store this season
  • 01:18:00 New Routes – THE GRADE
  • 01:24:00 How to contribute to ZwiftInsider.com!
  • 01:26:12 Closing of the Episode

Please e-mail any feedback or questions to: [email protected]

About the Podcast

Each week Dustin and the Queen of Yorkshire, Hollie, get together to talk about Zwift, life, and everything else. Watopian Weekly is available on Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube, and iHeartRadio.

Tour de France 2024 Climb Portal Events and Climb Portal Challenge Announced

Eric Schlange
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23
Tour de France 2024 Climb Portal Events and Climb Portal Challenge Announced

Tour de France 2024 Climb Portal Events and Climb Portal Challenge Announced

Zwift’s Climb Portal feature went live a year ago, in July 2023. This week, for the first time ever, Zwift begins holding group rides on Portal climbs! It’s all done in conjunction with the Tour de France, which kicks off along with the first Climb Portal events on June 29th.

What we have here is a compelling and rare mashup of virtual and real cycling worlds. While the men’s pro field races the climbs in real life, listening to the cheers of thousands while breathing in clear mountain air and battling the burning in their legs, Zwifters can ride GPS-accurate replicas of the same climb in game. That’s pretty cool!

Eight different climbs will be featured on the same day they feature in the Tour, with events held hourly throughout the day:

Climb (click for details)DateTdF StageRegister
Côte des Forche (3km, 148m)June 291Sign up >
Col du Galibier (Lautaret) (10.3km, 539m)July 24Sign up >
Pas de Peyrol/Puy Mary (10.2km, 603m)July 1011Sign up >
Pla d’Adet (12.1km, 847m)July 1314Sign up >
Col de Peyresourde (Avajan) (8.3km, 559m)July 1415Sign up >
Isola 2000 (18.9km, 1145m)July 1919Sign up >
Col de la Couillole (18.3km, 1209m)July 2020Sign up >
La Turbie + Col d’Eze (15.2km, 616m)July 2121Sign up >

“Grand Depart” Kit Unlock

Zwifters can unlock the new Santini TdF 2024 Grand Depart kit by finishing any of the Climb Portal events listed above:

You can also unlock the kit by finishing July’s TdF Mission (riding any two different routes in France or Paris) or by completing one of the portal climbs listed above as an on-demand free ride in the Climb Portal Challenge.

Climb Portal Challenge

It’s hard to miss the Climb Portal Challenge Zwift has just rolled out for the TdF! Click the homepage banner, register for the challenge, then you have access to all of the climbs above whenever you’d like.

Bring Your Climbing Bike

The Climb Portal events are technically group rides, not races. But you can still chase leaderboard placings and try to set your fastest time on each climb! Be sure to use a lightweight bike in game. Here’s a guide that tells you the lightest bike frame and wheelsets available at each Zwift level.

The Specialized Aethos (level 30) is the lightest frame in game. Couple it with the Roval Alpinist CLX (level 38) or Meilenstein Lightweights for the ultimate climbing rig!

Questions or Comments?

What do you think of the Climb Portal event concept? If you’re planning on joining any of these TdF events, will you be going big on Isola 2000, or just knocking out the easy Côte des Forche? Or maybe you’re an animal and plan to do them all?

Zwift Update Version 1.68 (130844) Released

Eric Schlange
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14
Zwift Update Version 1.68 (130844) Released

Zwift version 1.68 begins its phased rollout today. It’s a minor update, but includes assets for three different Tour de France-related initiatives launching this week, including a series of Climb Portal events held on ascents featuring in this year’s Tour!

Get all the details below…

Tour de France Series

Tour fever arrives on Zwift starting this Friday, and today’s update contains various assets to support all the fun! Zwift has planned three different TdF-related initiatives in game which we will cover in detailed indivdual posts later this week:

  • Climb Portal Events: you read that right. Events will be held on TdF-related Climb Portals beginning this Friday!
  • Vive la France! ZRacing: July’s ZRacing series will be TdF-themed, with all races on France or Paris routes.
  • TdF Mission: the monthly mission for July has riders conquering any two routes in Paris or France.

There’s a “Grand Depart Kit” in game as well, and riders can unlock it in any one of three ways:

  • Completing one of the climbs below as an on-demand free ride activity (see climb portal schedule)
  • Completing one Climb Portal event (see dates below)
  • Finishing the TdF Mission

The big news here are the Climb Portal events, as they have never been done before on Zwift! Since the Climb Portal launched over a year ago, riders have only been able to ride climbs as solo/free ride efforts. Zwifters have speculated for months about the possibility of holding events on these climbs. Now we get to see what it’s like attacking a climb with friends!

Eight different climbs will be featured on the same day they feature in the Tour de France, with events held hourly between 1am-10pm EDT:

Registration Opens today – see upcoming events at zwift.com/tour-de-france-events >

Rolling Resistance Restored

In the previous update (v1.67), Zwift changed the rolling resistance of tarmac near the top of The Grade as well as the Epic KOM. This had the unfortunate affect of slowing riders on these sections, which made chasing PR times a more difficult proposition.

Today’s update rolls back those changes. While the road appearance hasn’t changed (they still look a bit snowy), the rolling resistance is the same as standard tarmac for the entirety of the Epic KOM as well as The Grade.

Read more about rolling resistance (Crr) on Zwift >

More Release Notes

Zwift provided notes on additional tweaks and bug fixes in this update:

  • Fixed an issue that could cause KICKR Bike handlebar controls to become unresponsive during or after events.
  • Fixed a crash that could occur when teleporting to another Zwifter while riding on The Grade segment in Watopia.
  • Fixed an issue on Climb Portal where results may not be displayed upon completion of climb.
  • Fixed an issue that could cause leaderboards to be blank on some segments in Watopia.
  • Fixed an issue where other Zwifters could briefly loop in a circle during group rides.
  • Fixed an issue that could cause a small rounding discrepancy when a new FTP is detected after completing The Grade in Watopia.
  • Fixed an issue that could cause training plans to scroll unexpectedly when selecting a week.
  • Fixed an issue in Climb Portal where the Average Power and PR could overlap when the PR line chart was visible.
  • Fixed an issue that could show an incorrect distance to a RoboPacer when riding ahead of the pacer group.
  • Repaired an invisible pothole near the Italian Villas in Watopia.
  • Fixed an invisible bump in the road near the entrance of the Road to Sky route in Watopia.
  • Fixed an issue that could cause the waterfall to disappear in the Jungle Circuit route in Watopia.
  • Fixed an issue that could cause some rocks to flicker on the Beach Island Loop route in Watopia.
  • Fixed an issue that could cause a gap to appear near the opening of the volcano entrance in Watopia.
  • Various visual improvements to The Grade expansion in Watopia including:
    • Fixed an issue where some rocks and trees could unexpectedly disappear and reappear on the Coastal Crown Loop route in Watopia.
    • Fixed an issue that could cause rider and bike shadows to render incorrectly on the Coastal Crown Loop route in Watopia.
    • We paved over some errant grass that was growing onto the roadway of The Grade segment in Watopia.
    • The text in the “Your Grade” sign at the top of The Grade segment in Watopia is now translated into all supported languages.
  • macOS: If Zwift is unable to save files locally, a message will be displayed with links to support and troubleshooting articles.
  • Android: Fixed an issue that could cause a square-shaped shadow to follow Zwifters in bright areas. It was probably not a ghost.
  • Android: Fixed an issue that could cause spokes to not be visible on the Comete Pro Carbon SL UST and Cosmic Ultimate UST wheels.

Discuss this release on Zwift’s forum >

Questions or Comments?

If you spotted any other changes or bugs in the update, please comment below!

Elite Community Racing Calendar Announced for Zwift’s 2024-25 Season

Eric Schlange
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9
Elite Community Racing Calendar Announced for Zwift’s 2024-25 Season

Elite Community Racing Calendar Announced for Zwift’s 2024-25 Season

Last week Zwift began sharing details of the 2024-25 Elite Community Racing Calendar to elite teams and riders. This year’s season structure has been completely reworked based on feedback from participants in the 2023/24 Zwift Grand Prix and the inaugural Zwift Games, and Zwift says, “This has resulted in a number of improvements to the proposition for riders, teams, and fans.”

The season will consist of two blocks: the new Zwift World Series, which represents “regular season” racing, and the Zwift Games, which will serve as the season-ending championship for elite-level Zwift racers.

Below, I dive into the details of the upcoming elite-level racing season on Zwift. This information is meant primarily for elite racers who want to participate in the biggest races of the season. Community-level racing, which will run in conjunction with the elite-level races, will be covered in detail when information is released in August.

Zwift World Series Basics

The new “Zwift World Series” is a set of 5 “regular season” races. These are scratch races, so results are based on riders’ positions across the finish line.

Men’s and women’s events will be held back to back on the same day. The courses listed are illustrative only and subject to finalization, and each race will have community race events on the same course.

  • Race 1 (Richmond, 42.5km, 555m elevation)
    • Qualifier: Sep 5, 17:00 UTC
    • Race: Sep 19, 17:00 UTC
  • Race 2 (Watopia, 45.8km, 725m elevation)
    • Qualifier: Oct 3, 17:00 UTC
    • Race: Oct 17, 17:00 UTC
  • Race 3 (Yorkshire, 29.6km, 548m elevation)
    • Qualifier: Oct 31, 18:00 UTC
    • Race: Nov 14, 18:00 UTC
  • Race 4 (Makuri Islands, 53.3km, 557m elevation)
    • Qualifier: Nov 21, 18:00 UTC
    • Race: Dec 5, 18:00 UTC
  • Race 5 (Watopia, 44.7km, 1493m elevation)
    • Qualifier: Jan 16, 18:00 UTC
    • Race: Jan 30, 18:00 UTC

How to Participate

There are two ways for elite-level riders to earn a Zwift World Series berth. Some who rode in last season’s Zwift Grand Prix will be granted a series pass, while others will earn their spot via a high finish in Open Qualifier events.

Series Pass

The top 8 men’s and women’s teams from the 2023/24 Zwift Grand Prix season will each be able to award three specific riders a series pass. These 24 riders per gender will not need to enter the qualification events, and will be expected to participate in all 5 Zwift World Series races. Those teams are:

Men’s Teams

  • Abus-Synergy
  • Next Esports P/B Enshored
  • Coalition Alpha
  • Wahoo Le Col
  • Toyota Elite ECycling
  • Hexagone
  • Movistar ETeam
  • Team Swedish Zwifters

Women’s Teams

  • Coalition Alpha
  • Aeonian
  • Hexagone
  • Wahoo Le Col
  • Toyota Elite ECyling
  • Movistar ETeam
  • Virginia’s Blue Ridge Twenty24
  • Saris|Nopinz

Open Qualifiers

The remaining race slots (max field size per gender: 50) will be awarded through the Open Qualifier races held two weeks before each race. This is a new feature for Zwift’s elite-level racing that provides a chance for any Zwift racer from any team to earn their place on the start line! (It also provides an opportunity for teams with series pass riders to swell their ranks.)

The Open Qualifier events will award the first 26 racers a starting place to Race 1. Open qualifiers are open to all riders who have completed the pre-verification process, and there is no field size limit.

Interested in taking part in the Open Qualifiers, but aren’t yet pre-verified? Complete this simple form to register interest.

Locking In a Series Pass

Any rider who finishes in the top 10 of any of the first four races of the Zwift World Series or wins any prime will receive a Series Pass.

Classifications and Prizes

Per-Race Prizes

Each men’s and women’s Race in the Zwift World Series will have an individual prize pot based on riders’ positions at the finish line and a team prize for the best-performing team. Races 1-4 will also award bonus prizes at two prime locations.

Series Prizes

Individual racers will also have significant incentive to perform well throughout the season with a Series-wide classification and qualification for Zwift Games up for grabs!

Key Dates

Now – end JuneChance for teams/ riders to ask any questions
Jul 8Zwift World Series Race Book, Rule Book distributed
Jul 15Deadline for teams to confirm whether they will take up Series Passes
Jul 15-Aug 18Performance verification window 1
All riders who want to enter races across the entire season must have
completed pre-verification before the deadline
Aug 2Deadline for teams to confirm specific riders
Aug 29Zwift World Series Qualifier 1 registration deadline
Sep 5Zwift World Series Qualifier 1
Sep 19Zwift World Series Race 1
Sep 16-Oct 13Performance verification window 2
All riders who want to enter races or qualifiers for Races 3 onwards,
including Zwift Games, must have completed pre-verification before the
deadline.

Recognition for Elite Community Racers

New this year, Zwift is launching a system to recognize elite-level racers in game. Racers meeting the eligibility criteria below will be awarded the “verified” in-game badge typically awarded to “individuals with notable achievements – athletically or professionally.”

Eligibility Criteria:

  • In order to qualify for a verified badge in game, racers must have completed 3 elite-level races during the last 12-month period. Elite races in scope:
    • For 2023/24 – Zwift Grand Prix and Zwift Games 2024
    • For 2024/25 – Zwift World Series (including Open Qualifiers) and Zwift Games 2025

Riders will retain this designation for a one-year period, with the list of verified current elite-level racers updated annually each April.

Zwift Games

As part of the elite racing calendar announcement, Zwift has also announced that the second edition of Zwift Games will be in March 2025!

Details for the community side of Zwift Games aren’t yet available, but the Games will serve as a season-ending championship for elite racers who have participated in the World Series. Zwift says “The primary means of qualification for Zwift Games will be performance throughout the Zwift World Series.”

How will it work? The top 50 overall points-scoring riders throughout the Zwift World Series will qualify for the Zwift Games.

Zwift says, “Zwift Games 2025 will also contain a number of updates based on the feedback received from participating riders in 2024, including a prize pot for the Overall Classification down to 30th place, so stay tuned! Additional details regarding Zwift Games 2025 will be announced later in the year.”

Got Questions?

If you’re interested in participating in the Open Qualifiers but haven’t yet been pre-verified, complete this simple form to register interest. Elite racers can direct further questions to [email protected].

Top 5 Zwift Videos: Category B, Heat Training, and Zwift Fitness

Oli Chi
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Top 5 Zwift Videos: Category B, Heat Training, and Zwift Fitness

As summer begins, the Northern Hemisphere’s temperatures are rising. This week’s top video features a rider racing in a heat-filled pain cave to prep for an epic (and hot) outdoor race!

Additionally, we’ve selected several Zwift racing videos, including one about a Zwifter’s journey to make the bridge from category C to B.

Zwift Race in the Heat

In his latest video, The Cycling Greek traps himself in his hot pain cave in order to prep for an upcoming outdoor race where the weather is likely to be quite warm! Can he survive a Zwift race in the heat?

Tackling Category B on Zwift: My Plan and Progress

As a category C rider, Maydeus is trying to make the bridge to category B by racing in some tough category B races to increase his fitness and racing abilities.

Is This My Last Zwift Race? (in CAT D)

After a lot of hard work Ryan Condon rides away with another win in category D. Is this his last race before being moved up to category C? Watch and find out!

6w/k on Zwift, how long can I hold on?

With the Big Mig RoboPacer speeding its way through the roads of Watopia, Gerben from Ride with Gerben tries to see how long he can hang on at a blistering pace.

Am I Losing My Zwift Fitness? // Hilly Route Reverse

As the seasons change and some riders shift to primarily riding outdoors, Erik Lee, aka Don’t Get Dropped Cycling, tackles a tough Zwift race. Has he lost his Zwift racing fitness?

Got a Great Zwift Video?

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

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