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Wahoo Announces the Most Accurate and Comfortable KICKR Yet

Eric Schlange
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30
Wahoo Announces the Most Accurate and Comfortable KICKR Yet

Wahoo’s KICKR is the most popular direct-drive smart trainer on the planet, and for good reason: its road feel is second to none, the build is bombproof, and Wahoo stands behind their products with top-notch support. (Then again, I’m a bit biased: I’ve logged over ~22,000 Zwift miles on a KICKR trainer!)

Today Wahoo launched the fifth generation KICKR which includes three key upgrades from the previous KICKR ’18 model:

  1. Power accuracy improved to +/-1% (previously +/-2%)
  2. A proprietary auto-calibration process (no spin down required!)
  3. AXIS feet allow the trainer to tilt up to 5 degrees side-to-side for a more realistic motion

Buy now at wahoofitness.com >

Accuracy and Auto-Calibration

Wahoo’s press release for the new KICKR states that it “refines power accuracy to +/-1% from +/-2% by using a proprietary auto-calibration process.” So it doesn’t appear that any power sensing hardware has changed – rather, Wahoo has integrated an auto-calibration which improves the overall power accuracy. Fair enough. Zwifters don’t care how it’s done – we just want accurate power! And having it without the need to manually calibrate is even better.

The KICKR’s #1 competition is the Tacx Neo 2T, which has always demanded a higher price tag because it claims +/-1% power accuracy without needing calibration. With this update, Wahoo’s KICKR now offers the same industry-leading accuracy and calibration-free experience at a price tag that is $200USD below the Neo.

AXIS Feet

Many Zwifters praise the Neo’s ability to allow for a bit of rocking from side to side, and the new KICKR addresses this as well with its new AXIS feet. Wahoo says:

These feet allow a bike installed onto the trainer to smoothly tilt up to 5 degrees from side-to-side with each pedal stroke in a controlled, realistic motion.

Three stiffness options let you tune movement to your unique riding style, and the AXIS feet can be purchased as an aftermarket replacement for older KICKR models.

As a big fan of rocker plates, I support more movement! I’ve got a review KICKR arriving in ~10 days, which will replace my KICKR 18 on several weeks of Zwift sessions so I can put the new feet through their paces.

A Wired Option?

Wahoo isn’t mentioning it in their marketing, but the new KICKR includes a direct connect wired option – an RJ11 port (aka, telephone jack port). There are no devices or apps which work with that port… yet. But this looks to be the first move toward a wired setup which Zwifters have been requesting for years!

Zwift would need to implement the software changes, while Wahoo would need to release the wire dongle which converts from the RJ11 port to a network plug, so you can plug your KICKR directly into your ethernet. Will it happen? I’d say chances are good, but it may take a while.

Iterating to Win

Here’s a quick walk down memory lane to look at what each new KICKR model brought us:

  • KICKR V1 (2012): the first “open” direct-drive smart trainer, capable of working with multiple software platforms
  • KICKR V2 (2016): quieter than V1, more responsive
  • KICKR V3 (2017): KICKR Climb compatible (usually), more thru-axle compatibility
  • KICKR V4 (2018): even quieter than V3, integrated cadence, up to three simultaneous Bluetooth connections
  • KICKR V5: (2020): power accuracy improved, auto-calibration, AXIS feet, RJ11 wired connection port

This latest KICKR is far from a major revamp – but why should it be? The KICKR name is proven, profitable, and trusted worldwide. It makes sense for Wahoo to continue iterating on this already-refined platform, finding ways to match or surpass the competition so they can maintain their position as industry leader.

And that’s only good news for us consumers. If the new KICKR lives up to its accuracy claims, it will force Tacx to reduce its Neo pricing, or improve the product significantly!

Where To Buy

The new KICKR is available today at wahoofitness.com for the same price as previous generations: $1199USD. (Pro tip: make your purchase through this link and you’ll help support the Zwift Insider site!)

I’ll update this post with links to additional distributors once I’ve confirmed they are shipping the new KICKR.

Review Coming Soon

I’ll publish an initial review after using the V5 KICKR for a few weeks. Stay tuned! Until then, DC Rainmaker’s review has just been published.

Questions or Comments?

Share below!

Zwift Companion 3.17 Released: Late Join, Race Results, and Paris+France for Meetups

Eric Schlange
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25
Zwift Companion 3.17 Released: Late Join, Race Results, and Paris+France for Meetups

Zwift has just released the latest version of their Companion app on both Android and iOS. Version 3.17 includes three important Meetup updates, giving every Zwifter even more power to create useful and fun Meetups with their friends.

While it may take several hours to roll out worldwide, most major regions already have access to the update. Let’s dig in!

Paris+France Available

Today is the first day of France and Paris as guest maps in the monthly schedule – and it’s also the first day we’ve seen Paris or France available for scheduling Meetups! These two new maps will always be available for Meetups moving forward. Allez allez!

Race Results

Selecting the new “Race Results” option under “Customize Your Meetup” will display a results screen at the end of your Meetup, and in your activity summary in Companion.

Many IRL clubs have been using Meetups to organize virtual rides for their members, but until today’s update, there was no way to get actual race results for that ride.

Two notes:

  • If you enable Race Results for your Meetup, Late Join (see below) is automatically disabled… since you can’t join a race after it begins!
  • Unlike official race events, Meetups with Race Results do not (yet) show your real-time ranking in the rider list. Hopefully, that can be added soon.
  • There are no start pens for Meetups – riders just start on the side of the road, near each other. So even if you enable race results, riders won’t start from the same line. (It appears that the sooner you join the meetup, the further up you get to start.) Unless the Meetup has hundreds of participants, riders should all start close enough that an ad-hoc race will work just fine.
  • Distance-based Meetups have a virtual finish line (blue hologram). Time-based Meetups do not have a finish line, so they may not be your best choice for a Meetup race. (On the other hand, the idea of a time-based race is intriguing…)
  • Virtual finish line
  • Meetup race results screen

Late Join

All Meetups now automatically support late join! (*And there was much rejoicing!*)

This has been a popular request from Zwifters because let’s face it: cyclists are really bad at showing up on time. Late Join for Meetups works like Late Join for events – you can join a Meetup up to 30 minutes after it begins, as long as it’s still in progress.

There is no visible “Late Join” option when creating your Meetup, because it is always enabled. The only time it’s not enabled is when you choose to show Race Results (see above).

Questions or Comments?

Share below!

Canyon ZCC Announces Launch of Development Youth Team

Eric Schlange
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1
Canyon ZCC Announces Launch of Development Youth Team

Back in January 2019, Canyon became the first major bike brand to sponsor a Zwift racing team. Since that day their men’s and women’s teams have seen a good amount of success in high profile community and Zwift-organized race events.

This week, Canyon announced the launch of a third group within their eSports team: a youth development squad!

This is another first in Zwift racing – it may be the first development Zwift team ever, in fact. It’s certainly the first youth team backed by a major bike brand.

The squad will consist of approximately 20 riders, ages 16-23, with a representative mix of male and female riders. They will be mentored by existing team riders like Alex West, Claudia Behring, Lionel Sanders, Kristin Falck, Lionel Vujasin, and Ione Johnson. This aspect of the setup is hugely beneficial, according to team manager Rhys Howell: “When you join our team, you’re joining a family that supports one another; team culture is something we really cherish. Our riders can provide invaluable advice in the same way we have supported Canyon’s other professional road teams like Alpecin-Fenix.”

Aiden Sinclair (16, Australia)

Aiden Sinclair (16, Australia) has already been training with Canyon ZCC, helping them fine-tune things for the launch of the development squad. Here’s what he has to say about his experience so far:

For me, it has already been a great opportunity to connect with and learn from Ollie Jones and Alex West who I’ve raced with a lot within the SRAM Send it series and KOA leagues. On top of that, the team invited me to race at the highest level in a Zwift-sanctioned Pro-Am – this was a fantastic opportunity to test myself against the best in the business. I cannot wait for the full squad to be announced and to work with my new teammates from around the world.

Apply Now

Interested in joining the Canyon dev squad? We recommend reading their press release, then filling out their online application. Good luck!

All About Zwift’s Specialized Tarmac SL7 Frame

Eric Schlange
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25
All About Zwift’s Specialized Tarmac SL7 Frame

New bike day is always a good day, and yesterday’s Zwift update included a new bike frame: the Specialized Tarmac SL7! This bike has been making big waves in the “real world” bike industry since reviews began rolling out recently, trumpeting it as the “one bike to rule them all.” In fact, Specialized is discontinuing development of its aero Venge line, since the new Tarmac is nearly as fast as the Venge while climbing better.

Just how fast is the IRL Tarmac SL7? Specialized says it shaves 45 seconds off the previous Tarmac SL6’s time over 40k. (Still 9 seconds slower than the Venge, though.) And the new Tarmac is lighter than the Venge, so it should climb faster. There’s a good reason why many cyclists are lusting after the new Tarmac!

But all those real-world numbers don’t necessarily correlate to performance in Zwift. Instead, Zwift performance has everything to do with how Zwift’s programmers set the frame up in terms of CdA and weight. So everyone is asking: how fast is the Tarmac SL7 in Zwift?

Notably, the frame is available now in the Drop Shop for level 5 Zwifters and above, priced at only 674,500. At such a low level requirement and price, one would think this Tarmac SL7 wouldn’t be quite as fast as frames costing more or requiring a higher level. And you’d be right.

Here’s how the new Specialized Tarmac SL7 performs in Zwift.

Flat (Aero) Performance

The Tarmac SL7 is ranked in the 61st percentile against other Zwift road frames, meaning it’s more aero than 61% of the frames in game. What does that actually mean in terms of seconds? Well, it works out to being 12 seconds slower than the fastest bikes over a ~50-minute flat test course.

See our ranking charts for details >

Climb (Lightweight) Performance

This is where the Tarmac SL7 shines – which makes good sense. The best climber in game is the Specialized Tarmac Pro, and while the new Tarmac SL7 doesn’t unseat the Tarmac Pro, it is ranked #4 on our list of top climbers.

In terms of actual timings, the Tarmac SL7 is 8 seconds slower up the Alpe than the Tarmac Pro. See our ranking charts for details >

Conclusion

The Specialized Tarmac SL7 is a solid all-arounder, basically matching the performance of the recently-added Cannondale Supersix EVO. The Tarmac SL7 matches the Supersix EVO’s Alpe time while being 1 second faster over 50 minutes in our flat tests. (It’s worth noting that times can vary by 1s thanks to GPS rounding, so this really is a negligible difference.)

Like we said for the Supersix EVO, if you’re looking for a “do it all” bike instead of worrying about changing between aero and lightweight rigs, the Tarmac SL7 is a great choice. And at a level requirement of just 5, the Tarmac SL7 is much more attainable for new Zwifters than the Supersix EVO, which has a level requirement of 36.

Overall, we see the Tarmac SL7 becoming a popular choice in Zwift, especially for newer Zwifters. We’ve now highlighted it in our Zwift Shopping Guide since it’s the first high-performance frame Zwifters can buy.

Your Thoughts

Share your questions and comments 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.

Zwift Update Version 1.0.54377 Released

Eric Schlange
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128
Zwift Update Version 1.0.54377 Released

The latest Zwift update is now available on all platforms. It’s a solid update, including some major new features! Here are the details…

Not sure if your Zwift install is up-to-date? Here’s how to check >

FutureWorks Steering Expanded to All Roads

Zwift launched steering on Repack Ridge powered by our phones and the Companion app back in October 2019. Today they’ve taken steering to all Zwift roads, which is huge news! This means we can select our own line in corners, and maneuver our way through the pack to choose which wheel we want to sit on. Check out this short sample from Zwift:

Here’s the unexpected thing: the new version of steering doesn’t use the Companion app. Instead, you will need to purchase the Elite Sterzo Smart steering block, available now from Zwift.

Why not Companion? Because the feedback from the community after the offroad steering test was that steering would “drift”, making the experience less than ideal for many users. The Sterzo doesn’t drift, since it’s not accelerometer-based. It also solves the tricky problem of setting up a front wheel turntable.

We’ll do some follow-up posts on FutureWorks Steering for sure, since it’s literally a game-changer! But here are the highlights:

  • Sterzo Smart pricing: $109.99 USD (US), $129.99 CAD (Canada), €84.99 EUR (EU), £69.99 GBP (UK). Buy it at Zwift.com >
  • “Lateral collisions” are disabled if you’re in steering mode. This means you can’t just ride through riders side-to-side… you have to go around them. We’re looking forward to testing this!
  • The Sterzo is paired through a new “Accessories” widget on the pairing screen. It only works with Zwit via Bluetooth at this time, although the Sterzo includes ANT+. If you’ve got it paired, then steering is enabled. Easy peasy.
  • Steering will be disabled for all events by default, since it gives racers an unfair advantage. But event organizers will be able to choose to enable steering.
  • Steering will be enabled on additional hardware (read: smartbikes) in the coming months, but there’s no strict timetable. Zwift says “Many smart bikes include steering buttons. For those of you with Smart Bikes, those capabilities are planned for support at a later date.”

Read more about FutureWorks Steering on Zwift’s blog post >

Meetup Enhancements (Almost Here)

Zwift’s press release includes this tantalizing line:

Additionally, the latest update also brings improvements to Meetups, including late join and race results.

Hurray! Late join and race results are two of the most-requested Meetup improvements from the community, so it’s great to see these being rolled out.

Important timing note: these new features won’t be available until the Companion app is updated, which we’re hearing should be early next week. France and Paris will also be available for Meetups once the update is rolled out.

New Bike Day: Specialized Tarmac SL7

We knew this bike was arriving soon, after reporting on the upcoming 7 Days of Tarmac SL7. Specialized says of the IRL bike that it’s the “one bike to rule them all” – both lightweight and super aero. So aero, in fact, that they’re discontinuing the Venge line.

How will it perform in game? We’re testing it right now to find out… stay tuned!

(There are also some new wheels available in the Drop Shop: DT Swiss ARC 62’s. We’re testing these as well!)

Ride Leader Fence Update

The fence has returned! It was removed back in March due to bugs, and has now returned with one key difference: it no longer boots flyers from the ride.

Instead, if you go past the fence you get a really annoying notification on screen that should encourage you to slow down and return to the ride.

From what we hear, the fence should soon be enabled on group rides that used the fence in the past. It may take Zwift a few days to get the fence re-enabled on all rides, but that’s the plan.

FutureWorks Pace Partners

“Pace Partners” are pacer bots which Zwifters can join from the drop-in screen. When you click to join a bot it will be just like joining a friend who is already riding – you will be taken to where that bot is on-course, and you can ride with them as long as you’d like. Our guess is each bot will always have a group of riders around it in a sort of ongoing group ride.

There are four bots who will be available 20 hours per day (they will be turned off for maintenance from 8:30-10:30 and 20:30-22:30 Pacific time each day). Each bot rides at a set wattage on a particular Watopia route:

  • “D. Diesel” (1-2.4 w/kg)”: Casual-paced group ride with a few gentle hills
  • “C. Cadence” (2.5-3.1 w/kg): Moderately-paced group ride with occasional hills
  • “B. Brevet” (3.2-3.9 w/kg): Expert-paced group ride with frequent climbs.
  • “A. Anquetil” (4+ w/kg): Elite-paced ride on a challenging route. Many tough climbs!

This is just the “minimum viable product” (MVP) version of Pace Partners. There are lots of possibilities for this feature to expand in the future, including having bots modulate their power in smart ways (increasing on climbs, decreasing on descents), giving riders rewards for staying near the bot, running pacers, etc. But Zwift wants to test out the feature first to see if people find it useful.

As with all FutureWorks features, Zwift releases them so the community can test and provide feedback via in-game surveys and the FutureWorks forum.

PowerUp Changes

Zwift has added a new powerup and changed the behavior of two existing powerups:

  • Anvil (New): an event-only powerup which adds a % to your weight. Your avatar will visually “hulk up” while it’s in use, and it lasts for 30 seconds. Good for descents, as we know heavier riders descend faster.
  • Feather: this has been changed to lighten your weight by a %, instead of a set weight (formerly 9.5 kg). This makes it more useful and fair for heavier riders.
  • Burrito: now disables the draft for all riders within a 2.5-meter radius, making it a much more powerful tool for racers. The old burrito wasn’t useful when riding in the pack, since removing just your draft effect didn’t affect riders around you at all. The new burrito will make everyone work harder… at least for 10 seconds!

Other Updates

Update notes included these additional changes as well:

  • Time gaps between riders in the riders nearby list has been improved and should now be significantly more accurate across different terrain types. This is a good change – we’ll have to test it further! Read our post on how Zwift calculated time gaps previously >
  • New riders will default to long white socks and a helmet.
  • All Zwifters (adults and children) now share the same height and weight restrictions in-game and in ZC. (Users attempting to change these values on the web via my.zwift.com will still encounter restrictions and this will be addressed in a future release.)
  • Numerous fixes for overgrown trees and boulders which have made their way onto the roadways as well as floating objects.
  • Localization fixes where some translations would not properly fit within the boundaries of the UI.
  • Fixed an issue with some Japanese characters not appearing correctly in chat messages.
  • Fixed the issue with the Hide Chat setting not being applied while in an event.
  • Fixed a bug where users in a No HUD event would not receive a powerup.
  • Added 4K UHD support for those using an AMD Radeon Pro 5500M video card.

See/discuss release notes on Zwift’s forum >

Questions or Comments?

Share your thoughts below!

Zwift Events Not To Miss This Weekend

Eric Schlange
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5
Zwift Events Not To Miss This Weekend

Here are our picks for this weekend, published a bit earlier so our Aussie friends can get the scoop before their weekend begins. This week’s selections run the gamut from absolute beginner rides to super-long efforts suited for experienced riders. You do you!

Special thanks to Jesper at ZwiftHacks with his Events app which provides powerful event filtering tools that help us create this list each week.

Your First Group Ride: Seattle Baby Steps 1.0-1.3 w/kg

Nervous about jumping into your first group ride? Unsure if you can hold the pace of most Zwift group rides? Seattle Baby Steps is one of the lowest-paced rides on Zwift at 1.0-1.3 w/kg, and it’s specifically intended for riders who are newer, younger, older, and recovering from injuries.

This week’s ride is on the new France R.G.V. route, so you can unlock that badge as well if you haven’t done so yet!

Sunday 4:15pm BST/11:15am EDT/8:15am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/995470

STPC Gravel Grinder

Gravel is all the rage in the cycling world – why not take on some virtual dirt with the Saris + The Pro’s Closet squad in a longish weekend race? This race uses Zwift’s gravel bike line-up and routes featuring gravel roads. This weekend’s race is on the Big Foot Hills route.

Sunday 12:30pm BST/7:30am EDT/4:30am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/995429

Work Together In a Chase Race

We’re a big fan of the chase race format with its combination of teamwork and solo effort. In a chase or “handicap” race, category groups are released from slowest to fastest, with time gaps set so all categories come together near the end of the race. You work together to stay away from chasers and catch groups ahead, but if you get caught by a chase group, it’s every rider for themselves as you try to grab onto those wheels!

Here are two fun Chase Races happening this weekend which we haven’t featured before:

TBR Pancake Chase Race: Four groups – D(onuts), C(repes), B(agels) and PancAkes.
Saturday 7pm BST/2pm EDT/11am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/993963

The Alpe Dash by Herd Racing League: a chase race up Alpe du Zwift!
Three different event times this weekend. See all three events at zwifthacks.com/app/events/?key=5f2c267283483

Go for a Long Ride

Weekends are traditionally for long rides, and the same is true on Zwift. Here are two big rides planned for the weekend, but keep in mind there are others as well! Here’s a ZwiftHacks link showing all upcoming events over 100km in length >

Ascenders Team Brevet 200 Challenge: three distance categories available
Saturday 7am BST/2am EDT/Friday 11pm PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/993845

The Vegan Cyclist 100+1 Miles: three distance categories available
Saturday 6pm BST/1pm EDT/10am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/996623

Age Group Racing

Tired of losing to young whippersnappers in sprint finishes? Want to compete based on age groups instead of w/kg categories? Age group racing is a thing on Zwift, although it can be a bit tough to track down the events. Here are two happening this weekend!

Fearless AGES Women’s Race: age group racing, just for ladies!
Saturday 7:30pm BST/2:30pm EDT/11:30am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/993966

ZHR Masters Weekender: for men or ladies
Sunday 3pm BST/10am EDT/7am PDT
Sign up at zwift.com/events/view/995455

Your Thoughts

Got other events that stand out this weekend? Share below in the comments!

Saris + The Pro’s Closet Launches Women’s Team

Eric Schlange
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1
Saris + The Pro’s Closet Launches Women’s Team

The men’s team known as Saris + The Pro’s Closet (formerly Team Indoor Specialist) has had much success racing together on Zwift. And now Saris + The Pro’s Closet has launched a women’s team of elite racers!

The women’s team kicked off their virtual season with a strong 2nd place result in the Team Time Trial at the Virtual Tour of the Gila and 3rd place in the all-women’s Tour de Boudicca. They are currently the #2-ranked women’s team on ZwiftPower.

Roster

Parity

Gender parity is an important topic in sport, and certainly much-discussed in cycling. Zwift riders in particular seem to receive more parity than riders in other cycling disciplines, due in no small part to Zwift’s efforts at gender parity from the beginning.

“It’s exciting to see eSports leading the way with parity in cycling,” said Jenn Real, 2019 Zwift USA National Championships silver medalist and Saris + The Pro’s Closet team manager. “As we see equal coverage and access for women’s teams in the virtual world, it’s becoming apparent that eSports can positively impact racing in the real world.”

In particular, Zwift’s live stream coverage of big races has been a huge marketing boon to women’s teams. Some have discovered just this season that Zwift racing brings them more coverage than they’ve ever had before!

This fact isn’t lost on team sponsors. “The value placed on equal opportunity and coverage for women’s racing in eSports was a major motivation behind introducing our first virtual race team,’ said Matt Heitmann, Chief Marketing Officer at The Pro’s Closet.

Your Thoughts

Share below!

How the Race Was Won: Getting Dropped

Eric Schlange
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12
How the Race Was Won: Getting Dropped

As a general rule, once you’re dropped in a Zwift race, you’ve lost. And if you’re dropped on a double draft race, then you’ve really lost!

But that isn’t always the case; it depends on how the race is set up in terms of categories and timing. I recently hopped into a Critty Critty Bang Bang race over 14 laps of Crit City’s Downtown Dolphin and had a blast pushing hard, getting dropped, and winning! Here’s how it happened…

Warmup

I began my race prep by chewing two pieces of caffeine gum and rubbing some PR lotion on my legs. Then I hopped onto the Richmond course for a ~20 minute warmup, because I hadn’t ridden Richmond in a while. I’ve always loved this race course.

My Wahoo TICKR version 2 wasn’t behaving – it has been reading low or erratically lately, even with a new battery. So I grabbed my 4iiii Viiiiva instead and headed to the start pens. Let’s race!

The Start

I knew going into this race that it was a mixed-category affair. But there were only a handful of A riders signed up, so I figured the pace wouldn’t be unbearable.

We only had 20 B riders in the pens and 70 riders total, which is wild considering the last time I did this exact race we had 402 total riders participating! It’s definitely outdoor season for much of the cycling world.

The race started unremarkably, with the typical hard first lap. It wasn’t too tough, though – I averaged 324 watts in order to hang with the front. We were quickly shedding riders, and by the time we neared the end of lap 3 we had a front group of ~20.

The zPower Pull

One A rider in particular was pulling the group around – and of course, “N Bergamini” was on zPower. I mentioned it early on when he kept riding off the front, but the mixed category setup means the A’s probably won’t let a flyer go, because his power isn’t too outlandish compared to theirs – and it’s easy to miss that he’s on zPower, since the only indication is the tiny missing lightning bolt in the rider list.

ZPower wasn’t allowed for the race anyway, so everyone could have let Bergamini go and it wouldn’t have impacted the final results. But that only works if everyone lets him go – and that wasn’t happening. So we all held on tight and kept pushing!

Bergamini would end up finishing 3rd according to Zwift, averaging 5.5 w/kg – a full 1.1 w/kg higher than his closest competitor. He would be DQ’d from the official ZwiftPower results.

Getting Dropped

Hanging with the 7 A riders wasn’t easy, but I wasn’t on the rivet either. We made good time zipping around the circuit, and I used a powerup to maximum benefit every chance I got!

This was a double draft event, and the pace was pretty high thanks to the A riders (especially Bergamini). I didn’t feel I had enough extra wattage in my legs to attack, and with the increased pack speeds from double draft I didn’t fancy my chances of staying away even if I got off the front with a couple riders. So I tried to sit in and conserve as much as possible.

But I was tailgunning a bit too much, and somewhere around the beginning of lap 11 a gap formed up ahead and I missed the break. I’m still not sure what happened (I wish Zwift had a way to replay events) but I think our group was lapping another group, things got messy, and before I realized it the fast guys were in a breakaway.

The breakaway gap

It’s important not to panic here, though. The big question is, “Who is in the breakaway?” I’m racing against the B’s, and there were only 5 of us left in the lead group. Did any B’s make it into the breakaway? I started looking around and counting, then breathed a sigh of relief. No B’s in the break – I still had a chance to win this!

The Finish

With Bergamini and the strongest A’s off the front, our group’s pace dropped – which was fine by me. (Average wattage for lap 12: 271. Average wattage on the lap before the breakaway: 308!)

This let my legs recover a bit. I crossed my fingers, hoping the Zwift gods would smile upon me with a useful sprint powerup for the finale. But alas, I was gifted a feather! I used it on the final prime brick climb to give myself a bit more rest, then sat near the front of the group, ready to jump and follow the wheel of anyone foolish enough to attack early. Nobody was.

As we neared the bottom of the twisty descent I went all-in from the middle of our group, using the extra-strong draft to slingshot me into the empty, painful chaos that is the front of any Zwift sprint finish. It was another seated sprint, which I’ve been using to good effect lately.

Going all in for a slingshot on the final sprint!

As I neared the finish line I glanced at the screen and saw my competitors 5, then 10, then 15 meters back. They weren’t gaining! I crossed the line in first for B’s. My first back to back race win on Zwift… ever! (Read about last week’s win here.)

See activity on Zwift >
See activity on Strava >
See results on ZwiftPower >

Takeaways

With field sizes down significantly from a few months ago, it’s much more possible to place well in Zwift races these days. That’s fine with me – I prefer to race in fields of 40-80 rather than 200+ anyway. For me, at least, the race is more interesting when you can get to know the individual riders instead of feeling like it’s “me vs the blob”.

So while I’m typically not a fan of mixed-category races, at this time of the year I’m finding them much more tolerable as they give me a chance to mix it up with the A’s without getting shelled within the first few minutes.

My lesson for today is one I should have already learned – tailgunning is dangerous. Just when you think you’re safe hanging onto the back of the group, a gap will form and you’ll get dropped! It’s safer to ride up near the front, but still out of the wind. If I had been positioned correctly I think I could have gone with the breakaway – then I would have been the only B in the group. That would have been sweet!

The other lesson is that getting dropped isn’t always the end. I’ve been in mixed races before where just one or two B’s got into the winning break, which left a podium spot in my chase group. Don’t give up! And pay attention, so you know if the group ahead contains your competition (meaning you may want to chase that group) or not (meaning you can sit in). Getting dropped can actually help you, as it did me when it reduced the group’s pace so I could recover a bit and be ready for a big final sprint.

Your Thoughts

Have you noticed smaller field sizes on Zwift lately? What sort of field size do you prefer? Chime in below!

Rebel Route: Petite Douleur

Eric Schlange
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8
Rebel Route: Petite Douleur

UPDATE: this route has been added to the game, debuting in Tour de Zwift 2025.

Our newest Rebel Route is the smallest possible circuit on the new France map. With each lap ending atop the Petite KOM, this would make a butt-kicker of a racecourse – which is why we named it Little Pain. Can you make it around in less than 20 minutes?

Here’s an animation of this route:

About Rebel Routes

“Rebel Routes” are Zwift rides which are not available on Zwift’s routes list, thus requiring manual navigation.

See all rebel routes >

The reward for your rebel ride? Exploring a new route, knowing you’ve gone where few Zwifters have gone before. And a Strava segment rank in the tens or hundreds instead of the thousands! They are included as a separate category on our Veloviewer Route Hunter leaderboard.

Route Description

This Rebel Route begins with a long 11km lead-in from the spawn point to the top of the Petite KOM. The Petite KOM banner is our start/finish line.

Twisty river road
Ballon Sprint
Petite KOM banner

From this start line, we turn right at the fork, heading downhill toward the start pens. This downhill segment is approximately 2.8km long, and the only real descent of the route.

After passing the start pens we turn right toward the twisty river road and Balloon Field. Here you can hit the Ballon sprint if you’d like, then turn right at the fork to head up the zigzagging Petite KOM. Once you reach the top, it’s time to do it all over again! Get a little recovery on the descent, then hit it with all you’ve got!

Profile

This route is is nice and symmetrical. Remember, there’s a big lead-in before the lap begins!

Getting Started + Lead-In

Start by choosing the Douce France route. This will take you in the right direction for the first portion of the ride. The route has a long lead-in (11km) in which you complete almost an entire lap – the only thing you miss is the descent! (Sorry.)

Turn by Turn

Here are the turns you’ll need to make to successfully complete Petite Douleur. Start by choosing the Douce France route. The official Strava segment begins at the Petite KOM arch, but the turns below are listed in order from the spawn point, not the route start line.

  1. Right to Balloon Field
  2. Right to Ventoux Summit
  3. Right to Mont Saint-Michel

Route details:
Distance: 13.86km (8.6 miles)
Elevation Gain: 177m (580′)
Strava Segment

Rebel Route Suggestions

Got an idea for a great rebel route? Share it below and maybe we’ll publish a post about it!

7 Days of Tarmac SL7 Announced

Eric Schlange
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25
7 Days of Tarmac SL7 Announced

Zwift has just announced a 3-stage, 7-day event series based around the new Specialized Tarmac SL7. The series features exclusive new kit unlocks and a big prize drawing (see details below).

Each stage is based on a Specialized-sponsored rider, as Zwift explains:

Ride like Anna van der Breggen across Innsbruck, the same place she won the 2018 World Championships. Drop the hammer and sprint like Peter Sagan in Richmond, where he locked down a 2015 World Champs win. And finally, climb and descend with panache and courage through tough mountain inclines like Julian Alaphillipe, superstar of the 2019 Tour de France. 

All About the SL7

This event series is all about the new Specialized Tarmac SL7 – an incredible bike, based on early reviews! As light as the Tarmac SL6, but as aero as the Venge.

All Zwifters will be riding the SL7 during these events. It will also be available in the Drop Shop as soon as the next Zwift update arrives (this week). Price will be 674,500 drops, and you must be at least level 5.

Will it perform in-game as well as reviews say it performs outdoors? We’ll find out soon enough! At that price and level requirement, the SL7 may just be a game changer for Zwift racers!

Stage Schedule

Stage 1 (Aug 10-11): Innsbruck

In the 2018 Innsbruck World Championships, Anna Van der Breggen broke away from the pack to climb up Igls in the final 40km for a solo finish atop her S-Works Tarmac. It wasn’t easy. She endured the distance and had to climb, descend, and be quick on the pedals to keep the chase at bay. And it was all worth it. She rolled across the Innsbruck finish line with no one in sight. Specialized’s Tarmac allowed her to let her strength and ability shine through and dominate the race. 

We’re bringing a condensed version of the experience to you. Take on the challenge of breaking away from whatever group you’re in on the all-new Tarmac SL7.

Stage 2 (Aug 12-13): Richmond

As one of the greatest sprinters/puncheurs in history, Peter Sagan hardly needs an introduction. Few can match his strength, and his showmanship is in a league of its own. In the 2015 Richmond World Championships, he kept it cool, conserving energy over the 259km race. On the final lap, he used the Tarmac’s balance of stiffness and responsiveness to unleash his power, creating a gap and soloing to the finish. 

Channel your inner Sagan and do the unthinkable in Zwift’s Richmond UCI Worlds course. It took him three minutes and 56 seconds from his attack on 23rd street to the finish—think you can beat it?

  • Longer & Women’s Ride (2 lap) – Richmond UCI Worlds 
    • Distance: 20.2 mi // 32.3 km 
    • Elevation Gain: 934 ft // 284 m 
  • Shorter Ride (2 lap) – Cobbled Climbs 
    • Distance: 11.6 mi // 18.6 km 
    • Elevation Gain: 826 ft // 251 m 

Stage 3 (Aug 14-15): France

Julian Alaphilippe stole the hearts of fans around the world as he lit up the 2019 Tour de France with his show of courage, determination, and pure skill. He shook up the race early on and showed hope for French fans of taking home the “Maillot Jaune” for the first time since 1985. 

The race turned into a nail-biter in the mountains as Alaphilippe stepped on the gas. In the saddle of an S-Works Tarmac, he chased, climbed, and descended in pursuit of the Yellow Jersey. Adverse weather, however, led to stage cancelation, and hopes of retaining the GC faded away.

Let’s change history and finish strong in the mountains of Zwift’s new France map. Go hard. Ride fast. Leave nothing on the table.  

  • Longer & Women’s Ride (1 lap): La Reine
    • Distance: 14.2 mi // 22.8 km
    • Elevation Gain: 3875 ft // 1181 m
  • Shorter Ride (1 lap): Casse-Pattes
    • Distance: 14.3 mi // 23 km
    • Elevation Gain: 476 ft // 145 m

Make-up Day: Aug 16: all three stages will have make-up events scheduled on this day.

Learn more/sign up at zwift.com/events/series/7-days-of-tarmac-sl7

Event Categories

A and B categories ride the same route, but B is for women only. C is a shorter route.

  • A: mixed category, long course
  • B: women only, long course
  • C: mixed category, short course

Unlocks and Prizes

Finish just one stage and unlock a kit! Men will unlock the Specialized SL Pro Kit. Women can enter a women’s event in order to unlock the women’s Specialized SL Pro Kit, and they can also ride in a mixed category event and unlock the Specialized SL Pro Kit!

Finish all three stages and be entered to win the IRL Specialized Tarmac SL7 Pro Bike!

Learn more/sign up at zwift.com/events/series/7-days-of-tarmac-sl7

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