Home Blog Page 32

Wahoo Releases New KICKR CORE 2 and KICKR BIKE PRO

Eric Schlange
-
28
Wahoo Releases New KICKR CORE 2 and KICKR BIKE PRO

Wahoo Releases New KICKR CORE 2 and KICKR BIKE PRO

Today, Wahoo released new versions of their KICKR CORE and KICKR BIKE. And while the BIKE is essentially an iterative upgrade from the previous generation, the new KICKR CORE 2 features some significant enhancements, making the already compelling trainer much more attractive.

We’re still putting the KICKR CORE 2 through its paces here in our test lab, so watch for a review in the next week. For now, let’s look at what’s new with Wahoo’s flagship mid-budget trainer and top-tier smart bike.

The New Wahoo KICKR CORE 2

The original Wahoo KICKR CORE’s longevity and reliability have proved nothing short of startling, especially considering its price point. First released in 2018, the KICKR CORE is the “little brother” to Wahoo’s flagship KICKR trainer, and its hardware has remained unchanged since release.

It did, however, receive significant firmware updates to enable auto-calibration and Zwift virtual shifting, allowing it to become the de facto trainer paired with the Zwift Ride smart frame.

But competition in this price range is strong. Today’s release of the KICKR CORE 2 brings premium features to Wahoo’s mid-budget workhorse, updating it to the standards set by the latest smart trainers.

This is particularly big news in the world of Zwift. The KICKR CORE 2 is the trainer that ships with the Zwift Ride from today onward, making today’s upgrade from Wahoo an upgrade for all future Zwift Ride buyers!

What’s New?

New or upgraded features on the KICKR CORE 2 include:

  • WiFi connectivity for fast, reliable connections and automatic firmware updates
  • Race mode for near instantaneous response
  • Bluetooth bridging of heart rate and other sensors to consolidate connections (great for Apple TV users)
  • New flat leg design for easier, more stable setups
  • Improved multicolored LEDs indicate connection and trainer status
  • Redesigned flywheel lowers product weight while slightly increasing inertial load for better road feel
  • Reduced setup friction and waste: easier unpacking and assembly

Key Specs

  • Max Wattage: 1800W
  • Max Incline: 16%
  • Max Decline: -10%
  • Power Accuracy: +/-2%
  • Connectivity: WiFi, ANT+ FEC, ANT+ Power, Bluetooth FTMS, and Zwift Protocol
  • Cassette: sold with 11-speed cassette or Zwift Cog
  • Supported Hubs: 130/135mm QR, 12×142, and 12×148 Thru Axle
  • KICKR CLIMB compatible
  • Weight: 29.9 lbs / 13.6 kg
  • Dimensions: 23.5×20.5×18.5 in / 59.7×52×47 cm
  • Price: $549.99 USD, $899.99 CAD, £499.99 GBP, €549.99 Euro, $899.95 AU, ¥99,000 JPY
Shop KICKR CORE 2 at Zwift
Shop KICKR CORE 2 at Wahoo

Buy the Zwift Ride + New KICKR CORE 2 (Price Drop!)

The KICKR CORE is the only trainer sold as a bundled product with the Zwift Ride smart frame, so today’s upgrade to the CORE 2 means the Zwift Ride bundle gets upgraded as well! Effective today, all Zwift Ride packages sold through Zwift and Wahoo will ship with the new KICKR CORE 2, giving you a top-notch feature set at an unbeatable price.

More good news: the updated Zwift Ride now costs less! Starting today, the complete setup price drops by £100 and €100 in the UK and EU, bringing the cost down to £1099.99 and €1199,99 respectively. In the US (where tariffs are making pricing an adventure), the cost of shipping has been reduced from $110 to $75.

Looking to purchase the full package of a Zwift Ride smart frame with Wahoo’s brand-new KICKR CORE 2? Click below to purchase through Zwift (your purchase through this link helps support Zwift Insider):

Shop Zwift Ride at Zwift

In Canada? Purchase Zwift Ride + KICKR CORE 2 from Wahoo >

The New Wahoo KICKR BIKE PRO

Wahoo unveiled the first edition of their KICKR BIKE at Eurobike 2019, and it certainly turned heads with its distinctive look and built-in KICKR CLIMB tilting. Then in 2022, they released the updated KICKR BIKE, making various iterative improvements while also adding WiFi connectivity and a redesigned motor for higher max wattage and quieter operation.

One year later, the KICKR BIKE SHIFT was announced, sporting a similar design and base feature set as the KICKR BIKE but at a lower price point.

Today, Wahoo released the next version of KICKR BIKE, named the KICKR BIKE PRO. This replaces the KICKR BIKE Gen 2, and while mostly what you’ll see here are iterative upgrades from the Gen 2 version, that’s what you would expect in the third generation of the industry’s leading smart bike.

What’s New?

New or upgraded features on the KICKR BIKE PRO include:

  • Handlebars redesigned for increased indoor comfort (now 40cm wide with 16-degree flare and Fi’zi:k Solocush bar tape)
  • Upgraded saddle (Fi’zi:k Aliante R5)
  • 4-button controllers on top of each hood, mimicking Zwift Play controller capabilities (these also work for navigating other indoor apps, including Wahoo SYSTM, Rouvy, TrainingPeaks Virtual, and MyWhoosh)
  • Bluetooth bridging of heart rate and other sensors to consolidate connections (great for Apple TV users)
  • Increased durability thanks to more robust shifter cables and oversized quick-release levers

Key Specs

  • Max Wattage: 2500W
  • Max Simulated Incline: 20%
  • Max Simulated Decline: -15%
  • Power Accuracy: +/-1%
  • Connectivity: WiFi, ANT+ FEC, Bluetooth, Direct Connect
  • Variable crank length (165mm, 167.5mm, 170mm, 172.5mm, 175mm)
  • Configurable virtual cassettes and shifting styles
  • Physical bike tilt grade simulation via integrated KICKR CLIMB
  • 5-point adjustment system ensures perfect ergonomics
  • Total weight: 93lbs
  • Dimensions: 48x30x37 in / 121x76x95 cm (smallest configuration), 48x30x47 in / 121x76x118 cm (largest configuration)
  • Price: $3,999.99 USD, $5,599.99 CAD, £3,499.99 GBP, €3,999.99 Euro, $6,299.95 AU, ¥510,000 JPY
Shop KICKR BIKE PRO at Wahoo

Your Thoughts

What do you think of Wahoo’s updates to the Core and Bike, and the corresponding update to the Zwift Ride? Share your thoughts below!

TSOZ Closer Look: Zwift Racing Score Changes

Eric Schlange
-
43
TSOZ Closer Look: Zwift Racing Score Changes

TSOZ Closer Look: Zwift Racing Score Changes

In the Fall 2025 “This Season on Zwift” press release, Zwift revealed several upcoming changes to the Zwift Racing Score system which is used to group riders for most of the races on the platform. These changes will have a significant impact on rider scores, so let’s dive into the details…

Zwift Racing Score Decay

Launching mid-September

    Zwift Racing Score decay was built into the early system, but the feature was turned off in October 2024 because feedback from Zwifters indicated it wasn’t making scoring more accurate. At that time, Zwift said, “We may turn this back on later after making some improvements to the mechanism.”

    Zwift has now made those improvements, and they are reintroducing decay into the ZRS system. Zwift says, “This means that if you stop racing for a while, your displayed score will very gradually drift downward (after 30 days without a race), and the system’s uncertainty about your true level goes up – so when you return, you’re matched more fairly rather than a stale high score.”

    Digging a little deeper, this change involves:

    • 30‑day grace period: Your score will only begin decaying after 30 days without a scored race.
    • Rising Uncertainty, Fairer Returns: After the 30-day grace period, the system’s uncertainty for your score will also increase, allowing your score to adjust more rapidly once you do race again. Or to put it another way: returning racers will adjust faster to their real level.
    • Decay is Capped (or better, Floored): Your score will not drift infinitely downward.
    • Discourages Rating Squatting: Built-in decay means riders can’t climb to a higher score and stay there without racing. It keeps rankings fresh.

    In practical terms, Zwift says this is what you can expect if you take a break from racing:

    • Short break (within grace period): No change; you won’t feel penalized for a holiday or training block.
    • Moderate break: Slight downward adjustment; you may see a modest score dip that encourages re-engagement.
    • Long break: You settle at a conservative plateau; when you come back, early results will move you faster than before.

    Rewarding Personal Bests with Instant Score Updates

    Launching mid-September

    ZRS is a results-based algorithm where your score changes based on your finishing position in races. But the foundational component of the ZRS algorithm is your seed score, which is based on your 90-day power personal bests.

    One crucial thing your seed score provides is a ZRS floor value – the lowest your score can drop to. Your ZRS floor is 15% below your seed score.

    Currently, if you set a new power PB (in a free ride, workout, race, or any Zwift activity), your ZRS is only immediately changed if the updated floor value based on your new power PB is higher than your current ZRS. This means there are plenty of scenarios where riders will hit new power PBs outside of a race, but their scores don’t change. Here’s one example of how that could work…

    Example 1 (current system):

    • Current ZRS: 500
    • New Seed Score Based on New Power PB: 540
    • New Floor Value (85% of Seed Score): 459
    • New ZRS: 500 (unchanged, because it is higher than the new floor value)

    With the new system, when a rider achieves a 90-day power PB, their racing score will immediately be set to the new, higher “seed” value if that seed value is higher than their current ZRS.

    Example 2 (new system):

    • Current ZRS: 500
    • New Seed Score Based on New Power PB: 540
    • New ZRS: 540 (score instantly set to new seed score, since it was higher than the rider’s current score)

    In simple terms, this change will lead to ZRS increases for more riders, which should mean more riders’ scores will accurately affect their current peak fitness. To be specific:

    • Active Racers will see score boosts immediately when their power PB wasn’t in a race
    • Active Non-Racers who are training but not racing will get their score adjusted upwards with new PB values, helping ensure their score is accurate once they race
    • Returning Users coming back to Zwift after a break will have their scores adjusted more quickly as they set power PBs in any Zwift activity

    30-Day Best Score for Race Categorization

    Launching late September/early October

    Soon, race organizers will have the option of categorizing riders based on 30-day best ZRS, as opposed to the current ZRS that all scored races use.

    Why the change? Some racers have complained that riders are purposely tanking their score by riding hard enough to bypass Zwift’s anti-tanking measures while still finishing far down in the results. This is especially prevalent among racers who naturally sit near the cutoff lines for categories.

    These racers may enter a “target” race with a score that places them near the top of their category, winning the race and receiving a ZRS result that would push them out of their category and into the next highest.

    They will then purposely tank a race or two (or perhaps four, via our Tiny Races), dropping their ZRS so they can once again enter the lower category in their target race.

    With this change, race organizers may enable “30-Day Max Score Enforcement” for their event, meaning even if a racer purposely tanked their score across multiple events, they would still be categorized based on their highest score in the past 30 days.

    Simply put, this is an additional anti-tanking measure. And I think it’s a good one that many race organizers will use.

    (For our Tiny Races in particular, this feature will have the added benefit of reducing how often a rider starts the set of four Tinies in one category, then gets forced into a higher category mid-set, eliminating their chance of a high overall placing since they raced in two different categories on the day.)

    Displaying Score Deltas in Results

    Launching mid-September

    We published a post about the ZwiftPower ZRS browser plugin just 2 weeks ago. This fun little community-created add-on for ZwiftPower adds ZRS results to ZwiftPower pages, including a delta figure showing how much each rider’s ZRS changed in that race.

    In that post, I asked Zwift to add the delta figure to race results found on event pages at zwift.com. Little did I know, Zwift already had that change in the works (which explains why the delta figure was available in the API data for the ZwiftPower ZRS plugin to access in the first place).

    Anyway – this is a small change, but a welcome one. The deltas will also be visible in results on Zwift Companion.

    Questions or Comments

    That’s a pretty significant list of changes impacting Zwift Racing Score. What do you think of the changes? Share your thoughts below!

    9/11 Charity Race This Week on New York’s Gotham Grind

    Ben Rizzo
    -
    0
    9/11 Charity Race This Week on New York’s Gotham Grind

    9/11 Charity Race This Week on New York’s Gotham Grind


    With the 24th anniversary of 9/11 approaching, I’ve created a Zwift charity race to honor the victims of the attacks and to raise funds for the Firefighters Burn Institute, a non-profit 501(c)3 organization founded by Sacramento Fire Captain Cliff Haskell and the Sacramento Area Fire Fighters, Local 522 in 1973 for the purposes of:

    • establishing a local burn treatment facility
    • providing recovery programs for burn survivors
    • promoting fire and burn prevention through public education
    • funding education for medical burn team professionals, firefighters, and burn survivors
    • supporting burn treatment and rehabilitation research

    As a firefighter, this is a cause that is near to my heart. Thank you for your support.

    Schedule and Route Details

    Route and Pen Details:

    • 2 laps of New York’s Gotham Grind (18.7km, 192m elevation)
    • Powerups: Feather, Aero, Draft
    • Staggered start scratch race using 5 ZRS pens. Lower pens start first, all riders are visible, and you are only scored against your own pen.

    Two Events Available:

    Donations

    This race is a fundraiser for the Firefighters Burn Institute. Donate at zeffy.com/en-US/donation-form/911-race-to-remember.

    Racing is not required to donate, and donating is not required to race.

    TSOZ Closer Look: New York Expansion and Power Segments

    Eric Schlange
    -
    45
    TSOZ Closer Look: New York Expansion and Power Segments

    TSOZ Closer Look: New York Expansion and Power Segments

    Zwift’s Fall 2025 “This Season on Zwift” press release included an announcement every Zwifter loves to see: new roads! Specifically, Zwift is expanding the New York map, and using it to introduce a new “Power Segment” feature. Let’s dive into the details…

    The Big Apple Gets Much Bigger

    This release adds 31km of roads to Zwift’s New York map, making it the largest single expansion we’ve seen on Zwift in years. (Neokyo added ~30km to Makuri Islands in late 2021, and Watopia’s Southern Coast expansion in 2023 added 19km.)

    It’s an especially impressive addition when you consider that the New York map currently only has around ~20km of roads.

    Zwift has created 20 new routes (16 bike and 4 run) using the new roads, but it’s unclear whether all 20 routes will be released when the expansion first launches.

    Details on the actual roads/maps are scarce, as are teaser images. But we know the expansion will take Zwifters out of Zwift’s futuristic Central Park, into the city, and out to Brooklyn’s Prospect Park via New York’s subway network.

    New Feature: Power Segments

    New York’s new roads will include a new feature: power segments! These are a new take on Zwift’s timed sprint segments, where instead of sprinting across a particular distance, you hit a start arch and sprint for a particular amount of time.

    The first power segments will be located within the new subways of New York which connect the older roads of Central Park to the new roads of Prospect Park. Here’s a preview image:

    The goal is to hold the highest power possible across the segment. So hit the start arch and hammer until the timer hits zero to try and average the highest watts possible!

    Zwift is presenting these as primarily a challenge of personal achievement, so when the leaderboard pops up, it will first show how your current result (in watts, not seconds) compares to your last 90 days. It will then show how you rank against the global community.

    I’m hoping results show both pure wattage and W/kg, as both are interesting metrics for different reasons.

    Power segments will launch in New York, but hopefully we’ll find them soon on other maps. Zwift says “Power Segments will eventually roll out to other Zwift Worlds over time.”

    Power Segment Possibilities

    Power segments may be primarily a personal challenge, but what else could they be used for apart from quick sprints during free rides? A few ideas:

    • Points Races: how wild would a race be if you earned points for having the highest watts or W/kg (or both) across a segment? Heck, make it really interesting and award points for lowest power through the segment. See who can hold onto the pack with the least effort.
    • Route-Based Workouts: these have been talked about for a long time, but power segments could add a new, power-focused dimension to the idea. Routes could be turned into workouts with lots of structure, but no ERG.
    • Custom Segment Placement: what if ride organizers could place their own power segments on routes – any length, any location? Imagine the wild events that would ensue.
    • Race Gates: what if organizers could put a minimum power requirement on a power segment in a race, so riders had to meet that minimum average power or be booted from the event/hidden from others? Enforced spiciness.

    When?

    The New York expansion launches October 27. The final two stages of Zwift Unlocked (an all-new double XP tour starting October 6 and mentioned in TSOZ) will take place on new routes in NYC.

    Wrapping It Up

    Zwifters love new roads, and the New York map has always felt ripe for expansion, with many unrideable roads spurs heading into the heart of the city. What will we see when Zwift expands their “100 years in the future” NYC map to include another iconic park? Only time will tell. Personally, I’m hoping the new roads are flattish, making the map more suitable for group rides and rolling races.

    While we don’t have any more imagery or map details to share for New York’s expansion, those will certainly be teased by Zwift in the coming weeks. I’ll try to share them out here on Zwift Insider whenever possible.

    I’m also excited for power segments, which are a fresh idea that could be leveraged for new types of challenging rides and workouts. (They may also be a sneaky way to get Zwifters to put out more max efforts, which will upgrade Zwift Racing Scores to improve ranking accuracy…)

    Your Thoughts

    What do you think of Zwift’s New York expansion plans, and the new power segments feature? Share your thoughts below!

    TSOZ Closer Look: Personalized Recommendations

    Eric Schlange
    -
    26
    TSOZ Closer Look: Personalized Recommendations

    TSOZ Closer Look: Personalized Recommendations

    Of everything mentioned in the Fall 2025 “This Season on Zwift” Press Release, Zwift’s planned release of personalized recommendations carries the most potential as a game-changing feature. Launching this November, the promise of these AI-powered recommendations is that your fitness data and preferences can be used to serve up a recommended activity, any time you ask.

    Let’s dive deeper into this, Zwift’s first public use of AI, and discuss planned features and future potential.

    The Challenge: Maximizing Training and Fun for Everyone

    Veteran Zwifters like myself are always asking for more. More roads, new features, fresh events. But do we consider what Zwift is like for someone new to the game and/or new to cycling?

    It must be overwhelming.

    There are thousands of events each week. Hundreds of routes you can ride and workouts to choose from. Thousands of riders milling about, around the clock.

    In addition to all that content, numerous metrics are floating around that new cyclists don’t understand. What is FTP? Why does Companion say I’m “overreaching,” and how is that tied to my Training Score and Stress Score? What is XP, what are Drops, and do I care? What’s a good weekly goal? What’s an ideal cadence? Is my heart rate too high? How does Zwift Racing Score work? And let’s not even talk about zMAP and zFTP…

    On top of all this, consider that, while every Zwifter wants to maximize their training results, everyone is targeting different results. Some are training for a particular outdoor event. Some want to lose weight. Some are just looking to maintain fitness until they can head outside again, while others are dedicated indoor riders training to win Zwift races. And fitness levels vary: while one rider might consider a full hour on the trainer to be a max effort, another may need two hours before it qualifies as a challenge.

    A New Solution?

    Zwift has built an ecosystem that can be leveraged to build cycling fitness efficiently and effectively, but many customers need help figuring out how to make that happen.

    In the past, Zwifters who wanted to train with intentionality may have paid a cycling coach for a training plan, or dug in and done their own research, or perhaps asked a knowledgeable friend for advice. Zwift’s personalized recommendation engine will soon be the new option on this list. And it will be front and center in the game and Companion, a flagship feature continuously improving thanks to the constant influx of fresh data.

    How It Works

    No, I’m not going to dive into the depths of LLMs and other AI tech. But let’s talk about how Zwift’s personalized recommendations will work from the perspective of a common Zwifter.

    Here’s the first screenshot Zwift shared, showing the beta personalized recommendation block at the top-left of the homescreen:

    A few things to note here:

    • The interface is very simple. If you want to take Zwift’s recommendation, just click “Start Ride” and go.
    • The card explains why this activity was recommended: “This ride fits within your typical weekly activity duration and will help maintain your current fitness level.”
    • It also notes the estimated activity duration, distance, and elevation.

    If you want to do something different from what Zwift recommends, there’s a shiny “Tune” button, which takes you here:

    The Tune screen gives you access to a vast array of recommendations, but through a very simple interface. There are just two things you can tune:

    1. Activity Type: choose between riding a route, a workout, an event, or hopping into a RoboPacer group
    2. Activity Length: click an arrow to generate a recommendation that is longer or shorter than what you’re currently seeing

    The secret sauce, of course, is the recommendation engine at work behind the scenes. Since it is constantly learning from your activities and feedback, the recommendations it puts forth – regardless of the tuning options you choose – will be tailored to you. That means:

    • Routes you like to ride, and perhaps routes whose badges you haven’t yet earned, especially if they’re the type of route you typically ride
    • Workouts that help you improve a particular weakness, or work toward a fitness goal
    • Events you’ve enjoyed in the past, or similar events
    • Robopacer groups riding at the pace you would typically ride

    Already working through a training plan, or working with a coach? No problem. Zwift tells me that, if you’re using a third-party workout provider like TrainerRoad, their workout of the day will take preference as the recommendation.

    Companion and Game

    Zwift says, “Personalized Recommendations will display both in the home screen in the main Zwift App and also in Zwift Companion.” That’s a very good thing, and I’m hoping the tuning tool is also available in Companion, so we can dial in our next activity before hopping on the bike.

    Related New Features: Outdoor Connections and Goal Auto-Adjust

    Zwift announced two features/changes rolling out in September that will work in tandem with personalized recommendations.

    First, an improved onboarding experience will help more Zwifters hook up connections to Wahoo, Garmin, and Hammerhead so their outdoor rides are automatically brought into Zwift and included in key fitness metrics. Outdoor connections launched back in April 2025, and Zwift knows that if riders do significant training outdoors, Zwift needs to see those activities before providing helpful day-to-day recommendations.

    Second, Zwift is rolling out the option to have your weekly goal auto-adjust. Instead of having a static goal to hit a particular number for kilojoules, stress points, calories, distance, or time, Zwift will use your recent activities to “adjust your upcoming weekly target goal, helping to support your continual development.”

    When?

    Zwift says personalized recommendations will launch in November 2025.

    Of course, the launch of this feature doesn’t mean the end of its development. That’s not how AI works! I’ve already heard many positive things from Zwift staffers who use the tool internally, and they’re promising that the recommendation engine will continue to improve as it receives feedback from an increasing number of users.

    (You can improve an engine like this by changing the parameters used to make decisions, but you can also improve it by feeding in post-activity feedback, such as a star rating scale asking something like, “How well did this activity help you work toward your fitness goals?” Zwift will be doing both.)

    What About Other Activities?

    Ever since Zwift launched their Fitness Metrics in April, some Zwifters have been asking when running and other workout types will be included. This has been the only consistent complaint about Zwift’s fitness metrics, in fact.

    It’s a fair question… because lots of Zwift riders don’t just ride. Many run, lift, ski, hike, swim… you get the picture.

    For these athletes, Zwift’s Fitness Metrics, and therefore their personalized recommendations, may not prove useful until Zwift begins to support a wider variety of activities. And there are lots of activity types! As one reader commented recently, “After all, cycling is represented by about 8 of the ~180 activity profiles on a regular Garmin watch. In Strava, I believe cycling is 5-6 out of the 48 available activity types (but lots of activities there are logged under a false flag since the actual activity type is missing).”

    Zwift has said they will support running in their Fitness Metrics, but they haven’t given an ETA. Hopefully they’ll figure out a way to do it sooner rather than later, and hopefully they’ll also figure out how to easily include other activity types.

    Wrapping It Up

    There are things about AI that concern me, such as search engines presenting AI-generated answers to questions and stealing traffic from actual content creators. (This impacts my bank account directly.) The unknowns of AI are even more concerning. Where will it all take us? What are the unintended consequences?

    But using AI to deliver personalized recommendations? That’s a use case I can get behind. It’s been discussed for years, and some training platforms have actually done it. But if it can be done well by Zwift, in a way that leverages their massive community and content library, it will enhance the training of tens (hundreds?) of thousands of riders worldwide.

    And that’s a big deal.

    Your Thoughts

    What do you think of Zwift’s plans to offer personalized recommendations? Share your thoughts below!

    Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of September 6-7

    Eric Schlange
    -
    5
    Notable Zwift Events for the Weekend of September 6-7

    This week’s event picks are a nice mix, starting with a popular charity ride, hitting two (very different) races, and including two banded group rides to help you tackle especially tough routes. See details below!

    🤝 Sir Chris Hoy’s Tour de 4

    ✅ Good Cause 　✅ Popular 　✅ Kit Unlock

    The training rides for the Tour de 4 ride with Sir Chris Hoy are done, and this Sunday the big in-person event happens at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. Zwift is holding a series of rides so you can participate virtually! Each is open-paced and 45 minutes long, on Watopia’s Tempus Fugit.

    Donate to Tour de 4 >

    Get started early with the Galaxy team, who is holding a ride to promote the event. It’s up to 4 hours long, on Scotland’s Rolling Highlands route. Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5078986.

    Saturday, September 7 starting @ 9am-2pm UTC/5-10am ET/2-7am PT
    Sign up at https://www.zwift.com/events/tag/tourde4

    🥇 La Roja Tour (TNP): Stages 3 and 4

    ✅ Stage Race 　✅ Multiple Classifications

    TNP (Team Not Pogi) has organized a 6-stage race series held on Saturdays and Sundays, and this weekend it continues with stages 3 and 4. In this series, riders compete across each stage for GC, Sprint, and Climbing overall podiums.

    Stage 3 is on 2 laps of Richmond’s 2015 Worlds Reverse route, while stage 4 is on 1 lap of Scotland’s The Muckle Yin.

    Saturday and Sunday, September 6 and 7 @ 5:15pm UTC/1:15pm ET/10:15am PT
    Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/tnp

    🤝 PACK Banded Buddies: Road to Sky

    ✅ Banded Ride 　✅ Alpe Summit 　✅ Kit Unlock

    This ride is returning after a summer break, just in time for anyone looking to summit Alpe du Zwift for the first time! Join this banded ride as they take on the Road to Sky route, which takes you up the mighty Alpe du Zwift. Since it’s banded, you just need to keep pedaling in order to stay in the group.

    Sunday, September 7 @ 2:25pm UTC/10:25am ET/7:25am PT
    Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/4951233

    🥇 A Sunday in Hell with DZR

    ✅ Unique Event 　✅ Endurance Challenge

    The event title certainly sells it, eh? This unique event comprises four back-to-back races designed to test every type of rider. The iTT – for the time trialists, The Sprint – for the sprinters, The After Party – for the puncheurs and The Climb – for the climbers. All told, you’ll race around 60km and 1000 vertical meters. “Brutal but fun,” DZR tells me.

    Get details at dzrracingseries.com/asundayinhell >

    Sunday, September 7 @ 7:45am UTC/3:45am ET/12:45am PT
    Sign up at zwift.com/events/tag/dzr

    🤝 LA MARCHA HISPANA (Enable Rubberbanding)

    ✅ Banded Ride 　✅ Tough Route 　✅ Route Badge

    If you’re looking to complete Watopia’s challenging Four Horsemen route (89.9km, 2111m), but find the prospect too daunting, why not try it in a banded ride? As long as you keep pedaling you’ll stay in the peloton, and when you finish the route you’ll earn the achievement badge and a 1780 XP bonus.

    Saturday, September 6 @ 7:30am UTC/3:30am ET/12:30am PT
    Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/5096391

    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!

    Zwift Camp: Baseline Announced, Begins September 15

    Eric Schlange
    -
    26
    Zwift Camp: Baseline Announced, Begins September 15

    Zwift Camp: Baseline Announced, Begins September 15

    Last year, Zwift held their first-ever Zwift Camp: Baseline – an assessment-oriented training program consisting of six stages. And it was a hit, besting even Zwift Academy as Zwift’s most popular workout series of all time!

    Following last year’s proof-of-concept, this year Zwift is leaning heavily into the Zwift Camp concept, launching a three-camp series that kicks off with Zwift Camp: Baseline on September 15.

    Below, we’ll share what we know about Zwift Camp: Baseline, and a bit of info on the two camps that follow: Zwift Camp: Build and Zwift Camp: Breakthrough. Let’s dive in!

    On a related note: Zwift has announced that Zwift Academy will not take place this year, but that it “will return in 2026 and work is already underway to make sure the 10th edition is the best yet.” This season’s Zwift Camps are clearly positioned to replace Zwift Academy for riders not pursuing pro contracts.

    Baseline Basics

    The first Camp of the season is best seen as a launchpad for the Camps to follow. It’s all about completing four separate “Power Check” workouts, which will update your power curve with max efforts across standard time intervals:

    • 5-second power (Zone 6+)
    • 1-minute power (Zone 6)
    • 5-minute power (Zone 5)
    • 20-minute power (Zone 4)

    Workout Details

    To complete those Power Checks, Zwift has created four different workouts. Complete the workouts and you’ve completed Zwift Camp: Baseline:

    Each of the four power checks consists of an ERG workout combined with a new route. The workouts each run you through a warmup section, followed by some “leg opener” efforts, then a bit of recovery before hitting one or more free ride sections where you are expected to put out maximal power for a specific duration.

    Each workout will be held on a new route of the same name, created just for Zwift Camp: Baseline:

    Tip: If the workout finishes before the route, keep riding to earn the achievement badge and bonus XP at the route’s finish line!

    Events + On Demand

    Ride the four Zwift Camp: Baseline workouts in scheduled events with others, or on demand by selecting the workouts and completing them on your own. Group events will run on the following schedule:

    • Workout 1 (September 15-22): 5-Second Power Check, “Red Zone Repeats”
    • Workout 2 (September 22-29): 1-Minute Power Check, “Power Punches”
    • Workout 3 (September 29-October 6): 5-Minute Power Check, “Climb Control”
    • Workout 4 (October 6-13): 20-Minute Power Check, “Flat Out Fast”
    • Make-Up Events: October 13-20

    Sign up at zwift.com/zwift-camp >

    Each workout “stage” is a week long, with events beginning at 9am PST on Monday and scheduled hourly on the hour until 8am PST the following Monday.

    Progressive Unlocks

    Three unlocks are available as you work your way through Zwift Camp: Baseline:

    • Complete 1 Workout: Zwift Camp: Baseline Helmet
    • Complete 3 Workouts: Zwift Camp: Baseline Shoes
    • Complete all 4 Workouts: Zwift Camp: Baseline Kit

    Personal Dashboard

    Zwift has launched a personalized Zwift Camp: Baseline dashboard for all participants, which includes a progress meter and your power bests across each of the four intervals. This will be available at zwift.com and in the Companion app.

    Access your dashboard at zwift.com/zwift-camp/dashboard >

    2025/26 Zwift Camps

    Three Zwift Camps are planned for this year’s 2025/26 peak Zwift season:

    • Zwift Camp: Baseline (September 15-October 20): Pure power analysis
    • Zwift Camp: Build (November 10 – December 21): Power application through in-game segments/routes
    • Zwift Camp: Breakthrough (February 2026): Pure power competition and analysis through Power Segments*

    * Power Segments are an upcoming feature mentioned in This Season on Zwift released today. They’re the perfect way to test your power across various intervals, and should make a great addition to Zwift Camps. Inside sources also tell us Zwift Camp: Breakthrough may feature some population rankings, so you can see how your power numbers stack up against others…

    Questions or Comments?

    What do you think of the Zwift Camp proposition? Going to participate? Got questions? Share your thoughts below!

    What’s Coming Next? Read “This Season On Zwift” Fall 2025 Press Release

    Eric Schlange
    -
    136
    What’s Coming Next? Read “This Season On Zwift” Fall 2025 Press Release

    What’s Coming Next? Read “This Season On Zwift” Fall 2025 Press Release

    Zwift just released their latest “This Season on Zwift” announcement detailing key game features, Companion app updates, events, and hardware news coming in the next few months. We’ve posted the complete press release below, and in the coming days, we’ll dive into some of the announcements in more detail.

    There’s some fun stuff here, so let’s get on with it…

    Personalized Recommendations, New Zwift Click Controllers and Much More Promise To Make It Easier To Level Up Your Fitness

    Plus Many More Updates Landing This Season on Zwift, Including New Roads, Events and Racing Improvements

    Zwift, the global online fitness platform for cyclists, today announces a series of updates and content experiences that promise to make it easier than ever before to level up your fitness. From AI-driven personalized recommendations designed to help Zwifters hit their goals to updated Zwift Click Controllers that unlock the full Zwift experience to new roads that encourage Zwifters to explore more, there is something new for every rider This Season On Zwift.

    Zwift Ready & New Zwift Click Controllers

    Shipping from September 9

    Launched in 2024, the Zwift Ready program makes getting started on Zwift easier and more affordable. Zwift Ready trainers come with the Zwift Cog pre-installed, providing compatibility with virtually any bike, and with Zwift Click included, riders have everything they need to begin their journey in Watopia. In 2025, the Zwift Ready program is expanding with more variety than ever before, and with costs starting from as little as €250 // £279.99 // $299.99. Zwift Ready trainers will be available from Wahoo, Elite, Van Rysel, JetBlack, and Garmin-Tacx (USA only). 

    Shipping from September 9th, the new Zwift Click controllers unlock the full Zwift experience thanks to integrated navigation and shortcut buttons, similar to those seen on Zwift Ride, and previously Zwift Play controllers. The new Zwift Click retains the ability for riders to mount the controllers in almost any location and they are compatible with all handlebar types. To ensure it can be placed in almost any location, the new Zwift Click allows you to customise the button configuration to orient your Zwift Click however you like. 

    Zwift Cog and Click upgrade kits for all Zwift Cog-compatible trainers are available to pre-order from Zwift.com now (£49.99 / €49.99 / USD$49.99), and will ship from September 9th. 

    Levelling Up Your Fitness – Personalized Recommendations, Auto-Adjusting Goals & Improved Onboarding

    Launching November

    Building on the success of Fitness Trends, which rolled out earlier this summer, Zwift will make it easier for Zwifters to level up their fitness with the introduction of Auto-Adjusted Goals and Personalized recommendations.

    From September, an improved onboarding experience will make it easier for Zwifters to set up connections with their outdoor head units from Wahoo, Garmin and Hammerhead. Zwifters connecting their outdoor accounts will not only benefit from additional XP for their outdoor rides, but they will also be able to track their Fitness Trends in Zwift Companion and set goals based on their past activities. Now, when Zwifters set goals, they will have the ability to set these to Auto-Adjust. Using the last several weeks of indoor and outdoor data, Zwift will adjust your upcoming weekly target goal, helping to support your continual development.

    From November, Zwift promises to take things to the next level with Personalized Recommendations. Powered by AI, Personalized Recommendations will serve content tailored to help each Zwifter hit their goals. Recommendations served will account for recent training load, based on both indoor and outdoor (when connected) activity, riding preferences, including activity types, and much more, meaning Zwifters can jump in with one click, allowing them to spend more time riding and less time choosing. 

    Using the ‘Tune button’ Zwifters will have the ability to choose from a mix of content types, including workouts, routes, events and Robo Pacer rides, helping preserve variety. However, with each recommendation accounting for recent ride history and personal goals, Zwifters can be assured that whatever activity they choose, it will be both productive and fun. Further, Zwifters will also have the option to adjust the duration of content – because sometimes life gets in the way.

    For those who have connections in place with external coaching apps like TrainerRoad, these will take preference on the Home Screen. Zwifters will still have the option to ‘tune’ these activities should they wish to mix things up.

    Personalized Recommendations will display both in the home screen in the main Zwift App and also in Zwift Companion.

    Progress Report Screen

    Launching November

    Upon completion of an activity, Zwifters will now be taken to an updated Progress Report Screen. Here, Zwift will display a summary of all key information, including fitness score progression, training status, goal progression, current streak, bike upgrade progression, level progress, racing score improvements, and much more. This display will show at the end of any activity before returning to the home screen. Post-activity, Zwifters will have the ability to go deeper into these metrics using Fitness Trends in the Zwift Companion app.

    Zwift Unlocked – An Entirely New Tour 

    October 6-November 16

    Running October 6th to November 16th, Zwift Unlocked is an entirely new Zwift Tour, replacing the Tour of Watopia. Like its predecessor, Zwift Unlocked offers double XP but brings with it 10 entirely new routes across multiple Zwift Worlds. Zwifters will have the ability to ride or race each stage, with long and short options on offer throughout. 

    The Big Apple Just Got Bigger – New York Expansion

    Launching October 27

    The final two stages of Zwift Unlocked will take place on a freshly expanded New York map. This expansion will be Zwift’s largest map expansion in years, adding 31km of new roads to New York, including 20 new routes (16 bike and 4 run).

    The expansion will take Zwifters out of Zwift’s futuristic Central Park, into the city and out to Prospect Park via New York’s subway network.

    Power Segments

    Launching October 27

    Within the subways of New York, Zwifters will also find a new segment feature, Power Segments, launching with this expansion. Power Segments are a new take on Zwift’s timed Sprint Segments, where pure wattage is all that matters. Hit the start arch and hammer until the timer hits zero to try and average the highest watts possible. Upon completion of a segment, Zwifters will see their personal result and how it compares with their efforts over the previous 90 days – this is primarily a challenge of personal achievement. Zwifters will also see how they rank against the global community, with the overall leaderboard displayed shortly after the personal results screen. Power Segments will eventually roll out to other Zwift Worlds over time. 

    Zwift Racing

    Season Long

    The Home of Community Racing is geared up to deliver the best season of competition to date. Whether it’s Zwift Racing League, starting on September 16th, zRacing, Zwift Games, any one of the 1000’s of community-run race events, or if lycra isn’t your thing, there’s even the Virtual Brompton World Championships in November – there really is something for everyone!

    Helping make community racing fairer and more competitive, there are numerous improvements coming to the racing scene, beginning this September. Zwift Racing Score is now established as the default racing categorisation system, and the 11 categories now used for Zwift events have made racing even more competitive by keeping the competition more closely matched. 

    The latest changes to Zwift Racing Score have seen ‘score decay’ introduced for racers who haven’t competed in the last 30 days, updated seed scores based on your most recent personal bests (inside or outside of races), and a new option for event organisers to categorise riders by their 30-day best score, not just their current score. These changes ensure your score reflects your current peak fitness, instantly rewards strong performances, keeps matchmaking dynamic, and makes races feel fairer and more competitive for everyone on the start line.

    To help keep racing fairer, Zwift is also rolling out new anti-botting detection. This is live and has been actively identifying suspicious activity. Accounts flagged by this technology are moving through our standard enforcement pipeline, helping us clean up racing, protect leaderboard integrity, and stop unfair XP farming. The same system is laying the groundwork for a new generation of anti-cheating technology designed to detect and eliminate unrealistic performances and make racing on Zwift even more authentic over time.

    Brompton World Championship

    November 17-23

    “Tweed Is Speed.” The world’s most dapper race has arrived on Zwift. A week-long Virtual Brompton World Championship race series event is set to be held in Zwift’s London. Races will be held on custom routes (short and long options) and all entrants will be able to unlock the very special Tweed Kit! Of course, the Brompton will be available to purchase in the Drop Shop from November as well.

    Event Cooldown

    Live Now

    The fun shouldn’t stop when you cross the finish line. Now, when Zwifters complete a Zwift group event they will have the option to stay in the event world to cool down. This update aims to improve event experience by extending the opportunity to continue the conversation, reminisce about the epic battle that went down, share a funny moment, connect on Zwift Companion, or discuss plans for your next activity much like you would after completing an outdoor event. One extra loop, anyone?

    Zwift Camp: Baseline

    September 15-October 19

    Zwift Camp: Baseline proved to be Zwift’s most popular workout series of all time, and returns bigger and better for 2025. Zwift Camp will consist of three distinct camps throughout the year: Baseline, Build, and Breakthrough. Designed to follow the structure of winter training, Zwift Camp has been designed to allow Zwifters to complete one or multiple camps. Beginning September 15th, Zwift Camp: Baseline is your launchpad for the season ahead. The four workouts are a chance to set your baseline fitness and lock in your best season yet. 

    Head over to your personalized Zwift Camp: Baseline dashboard here – zwift.com/zwift-camp/dashboard

    The Drop

    Dropping September 25

    MyCanyon colorways are landing in the Drop Shop on September 25th. This will be the first time Zwifters can purchase bikes with distinct colorways in the Drop Shop. From launch, Zwifters can choose from four designs from the Opus Collection, the Fabrio Collection, and the Mano Collection. Stay tuned for more Drops coming to the Drop Shop this season!

    Watopia Essentials Collection

    On Sale September 16

    Born from a partnership with Pedal Mafia, the Watopia Essentials Collection is an investment in your cycling journey, bringing the highest quality cycling apparel to Zwifters indoors and outdoors. On and off-bike apparel will be available to purchase in the US, UK and EU from Zwift.com. Zwifters located in Australia will also be able to access the collection from pedalmafia.cc.  

    To find out more about This Season on Zwift, visit zwift.com/this-season-on-zwift

    Your Thoughts

    What do you think of Zwift’s plans for the next few months? Share below!

    Tiny Race Series – September 6 Routes – Makuri Tour

    Eric Schlange
    -
    0
    Tiny Race Series – September 6 Routes – Makuri Tour

    Tiny Race Series – September 6 Routes – Makuri Tour

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

    Join Team Italy: More Rides, ZRL Teams, Pizza and Fun!

    Andrea Anastasio
    -
    3
    Join Team Italy: More Rides, ZRL Teams, Pizza and Fun!

    Join Team Italy: More Rides, ZRL Teams, Pizza and Fun!

    Team Italy is a longstanding Zwift club and racing team that helps riders of all abilities improve their fitness while having fun and competing in a supportive environment.

    The Zwift Italy/Team Italy community was founded on January 4, 2017, with the goal of creating an all-Italian community on Zwift. Our numbers keep on growing thanks to inspiring leaders who motivate Zwifters from Italy and around the world to join our rides. Participation is also strong among women, thanks to our legendary “Pink Ladies!”

    We proudly take part in the Zwift Racing League with both male and female teams. A big applause goes to our ZRL captains, who are reaching important goals and growing their leadership skills. We also have the Zwift Running Italy group for runners!

    Our community is growing across all social channels, and Team Italy is active on Zwift Companion too. The Italian presence is strong and engaged — we want to play a significant role in the global Zwift community!

    The club hosts ten group rides every week, including:

    • Social rides for beginners
    • Competitive training sessions
    • A climbing & endurance event
    • The famous Burn Calories Ride (perfect for pizza lovers)

    We ride to train, but we also ride to enjoy more pizza and pasta — our special combo! Our ride leaders and our amazing red broom wagon make every event welcoming and fun.

    Our weekly Rides include:

    • Fat Burn Ride
    • Super Early Ride
    • Social SUB2 Ride
    • Burn Calories Together Ride
    • Endurance – Badge Hunting Ride
    • Morning Early Ride
    • Monday Afternoon Relax w/Rubberband Ride
    • Smile! It’s Tuesday Ride
    • Coffee Italian Ride
    • Hunting Ride

    See all Team Italy rides at zwift.com/events/tag/teamitaly >

    Standing ovation for our Ride Leaders and Sweepers:

    Elvira Wilhelm, Lily Franken, Cris Benato, Angela Di Prisco, Marco Xibilia, Simone Maffi, Niccolo’ Martinoli, Christopher Vigna, Andrea Anastasio, Oleg Smirnov, Nacho Rodriguez, Alberto Roncalli, Paolo Cairoli, Jason Taylor, Steffen Riemer, Mario Serratore, Massimo Asti, Eugenio Milano, Angelo Barra, Jim Brauer “Höf”, Jayde Cardoso, Enrico Oggiano, Fabrizio Germani, Thierry Bøudøuresque, Luca Acco, Milo Rad, Sergio Mercky, Felice De Rosa, Rob Julian, Enrico “Groot”, Fabio Benotti, Stefano Vesprini, Massimiliano Caccia, Silvio Coggiola, Marco Tandu, Diego Zanin, Daniele Pascali, Etienne Constant, Robert Jones, Richard Mattinson, Marcello Ferraro, Fabio Cola.

    Join us in our events by signing up for Team Italy on Zwift Companion and following us on our social channels (links below).

    Zwift Italy and Team Italy are waiting for you — for fun rides, great company, and sharing the Zwift spirit with everyone!

    Learn more about Zwift Italy/Team Italy:

    Ride On! Ciao.

    1...313233...524Page 32 of 524