Here’s a fun video from Australian Mark Ferguson of Cycling Maven featuring fellow Auzzie Shane Miller of Zwift Review. After Matt Hayman’s Roubaix victory Mark wanted to get a closer look at Zwift, and Shane gives him a wonderful quick introduction. Mark is (understandably) impressed, saying of Zwift: “This is without a doubt the next best thing.”
The video includes some snippets of interviews with Matt Hayman discussing Zwift and his recovery. Fun stuff!
If you follow pro cycling you already know about Matt Hayman’s incredible win yesterday at Paris-Roubaix. What you may not know is that Matt logged nearly 1,000 miles on Zwift last month as he worked to stay in shape while recovering from a fractured radius bone in his right arm sustained in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad race February 27.
Charlie Issendorf, Zwift’s VP of Events, posted on Facebook after Matt’s win:
Zwift now, win later. That is all.
Matt, an Australian who rides for Orica-GreenEdge, was very humble in his win, going so far as to apologize for beating Tom Boonen who was chasing his record 5th Paris-Roubaix victory. (Matt has been a big fan of Boonen for years.) Hayman is no rookie, though, having ridden Roubaix 15 times and finishing in the top 10.
What does a pro look like when he uses Zwift to maintain fitness as he recovers from injury? Looking at Matt’s Zwift account via the mobile app we can see that his first recorded ride was on March 3. He rode on Zwift almost daily thru April 5th, often riding twice a day, racking up 983 miles and over 55,000′ of climbing in just over a month.
Here’s what he had to say about his March recovery:
I spent a lot of time on the home trainer; I was in my own little world, riding in the garage twice a day. I knew I had to hold onto the months and months of training that I do for the Classics every year. This is my 17th year as a professional and it started in October. I spent a lot of time away, time at altitude, a lot of time away from the family, to be ready for the Classics. I didn’t want all that to be taken way by a crash. So if there was no chance that I could get back, then I’d do it.
Hayman rode beautifully in yesterday’s race, staying with the breakaway group for most of the race and even riding off the front solo for a significant stretch. Even after a strong chase group containing Boonen caught Hayman’s group, he hung with the group of five riders who attacked each other over and over again in the final kilometers. Hayman saved himself for one strong attack against Boonen, but even with that well-executed attack it all came down to the final sprint in the Roubaix velodrome where Hayman had the legs and position to pull off the win by a bike length over Boonen.
What kind of power numbers does a pro like Hayman throw down? Check out this great post from Training Peaks analyzing Hayman’s power numbers for the race.
Watch the race highlights here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8DcwgX49V90
Zwift has released a minor “service release” today, addressing some bugs and adding a few new features. A few notable items include:
You must be level 10 or higher before you can enter the Tour Italy challenge.
To enter, simply select it as your challenge from the menu screen (hit “T” in-game, then click the challenge image at the top-right to see your current challenge information and/or switch to a new challenge.) Then ride 2000km and you’re done!
A brand-new (virtual) Pinarello F8 Dogma! You’ll actually get the bike at around the 90% completion mark, when you hit Treviso, home of Pinarello Bicycles.
Prior to this challenge only a select few Zwifters got to ride a Pinarello, because the Pinarello Dogma 65.1 bike was available to early beta testers (called the “Pinarello Dogma” in game). This is a different Pinarello, though–the F8 is a little lighter than the 65.1, completing the Alpe climb 17 seconds faster in our speed tests. Although it’s a nice piece of virtual kit, the F8 is not a terribly fast bike in game–slower even than the Zwift Aero which is unlocked at level 13, and the Canyon Aeroad 2021 unlocked at level 10.
Zwifter Trapper Markelz of Boston, MA is organizing a different kind of Zwift race this April–a multi-day stage race called Zwift KOM Hammerfest!
All you have to do is sign up, ride the selected segments during the time window and you’ll be added to the leaderboard. (To be clear: each stage is essentially a solo effort, since riders don’t all begin the race at the same time.) Strava will collect the times, and Trapper’s software will grab that information and automatically update the leaderboard.
Stages are as follows (check the race homepage for details/updates):
Questions or comments? Join the conversation about this race in the Zwift Riders Facebook group.
When this route was released it was the longest and most challenging on Zwift, covering all segments in Watopia at least twice. With new roads and routes added since its creation, The Pretzel is no longer the longest or toughest route. But it still packs a punch at 44.8 miles (72.1km) in length with 4,375′ (1333m) of elevation gain.
See upcoming events on The Pretzel route at ZwiftPower.com >
The Pretzel begins at the popular downtown Watopia start/finish, and heads out Ocean Boulevard to take on the Epic KOM forward. Once you reach the top of the Epic KOM you’ll hang a left onto the horribly-named “bonus climb” – a steep, icy climb to the radio tower platform!
Then it’s a fast descent back to Watopia proper where you’ll hit the Hilly KOM reverse, loop around through the start/finish banner, onto the Esses then a loop around Ocean Boulevard to the Hilly KOM forward.
Next we head past the fishing village again, but turn right at the wind turbines to head up the Epic KOM reverse. Hit the final climb hard then descend back to Ocean Boulevard for a quick trip through the fishing village, the Italian Villas, and over the Esses to the downtown start/finish. You did it!
Route details:
Distance: 72.2km (44.9 miles)
Elevation Gain: 1,333m (4,375′)
Strava Forward Segment (from start banner) Strava Reverse Segment
The “Mountain 8” route on Watopia similar in distance to “Figure 8“, but with substantially more climbing since it takes you over the reverse Epic KOM and up the radio tower climb. The strongest riders can complete this route in under an hour, but mere mortals will need 75 minutes or more.
Beginning at the downtown Watopia start/finish, we head out Ocean Boulevard and hang a left at the windmills toward the docked planes and the start of the route’s big climb: the reverse Epic KOM.
Helpful note: before you destroy yourself chasing a Strava PR on the reverse Epic KOM, be warned: this route turns you onto the radio tower “bonus climb” before the Epic KOM banner, so your ride won’t match up with the Strava segment!
Near the top of the Epic KOM you’ll turn right to hit the bonus climb, which feels nothing like a bonus – more like a punishment! This is the steepest climb in Watopia, and you’ll need all the w/kg you can muster to work your way to the top.
Once you’ve arrived at the radio tower enjoy the view at the top, then bomb down the hill and through the Epic KOM banner to begin your descent long descent back to sea level. Soon enough you’ll find yourself back on Ocean Boulevard, riding through the Fishing Village. Almost done!
An easy snaking climb onto the main Watopian loop takes you through the Italian Villas and over the forward sprint segment, then it’s The Esses and a quick descent into downtown Watopia for the finish. Nice work!
Route details:
Distance:Â 32km (19.9 miles)
Elevation Gain: 677m (2,221′)
Strava Forward Segment from Start BannerStrava Forward Segment from Start PierStrava Reverse Segment
Distance: 5.9 miles (9.5km)
Elevation Gain: 1361′ (414m)
Avg Grade: 3.9%
Max Grade: 10.7%
Strava Segment
Distance: 3.8 miles (6.1km)
Elevation Gain: 1303′ (397m)
Avg Grade: 5.9%
Max Grade: 12.2%
Strava Segment
Zwift has just pushed out update 1.0.10735, which includes the Watopia Mountain Route!
While the Richmond course was scheduled for Thursday and Friday, riders are currently being taken to Watopia automatically.
Climb on!
Courtesy of Zwift CEO Eric Min’s recent test ride posted to Strava. According to Eric the route is “Epic and nearly ready!”
