Time trials, the “race of truth,” have been held on Zwift since early days. Without drafting enabled these races allowed riders to set their own pace and ride against the clock–the very essence of time trialing. But there was always something missing… it didn’t feel quite like a time trial.
All of that is about to radically change, thanks to an update released last night.
Start Pen Upgrades
Most outdoor time trials release racers at predefined intervals (e.g. 30 seconds apart). In the past, Zwift TT races released all riders at the same time, so even though you weren’t drafting, you were still leaving the pens in a large group of riders.
The new TT mode uses a conveyor belt system to automatically move riders up to the start line and release them individually:
The front row of riders (across all conveyor belts) is released 1 second apart, but the length of time between each row of riders (front to back) varies based on the event.
As the timer counts down, the red holo fence will appear for the first starters. When it drops, it’s go time!
Getting Up to Speed
The yellow arrow pad in front of the holo gate acts like the ramp in an outdoor TT event, speeding you up to 20mph instantly. This should help racers avoid the mistake of sprinting out of the gate.
Joining an Event
These time trial features are only available in designated TT events. Joining a time trial event works like any other Zwift event, except that after signing up, you’ll be given a start time within 30 minutes of the advertised start time. Just like an outdoor TT!
Zwift Companion allows you to filter events to only show TT’s. It also displays your start time once you sign up. The start time is also visible in-game if you join the event then begin riding.
HUD Changes
When racing in TT mode, the on-screen elements are now optimized for time trial efforts:
The main display at the top-center now focuses on your cadence, wattage, and heart rate. On the left, a list of checkpoints shows your split times, and you will see leaderboards for those splits with placement by age group and gender.
The minimaps on the right have also been modified to show course checkpoint locations and the standard elevation map.
Route Restrictions
For now, TT races are only available on the Bologna TT course and Fuego Flats, but there are plans to expand this in the future.
When Can I Try It Out?
Now! Just filter the events list in Zwift Companion, checking the box for “Time Trial”.
Here’s a list of upcoming TT events from ZwiftHacks >
A Strong TT Focus
The new TT features bring an entirely new “event mode” to Zwift. We already have several event types: group workouts, social rides, races, and fondos… but now time trials can be added to this list.
If we look at recent game updates, it’s clear Zwift sees value in focusing on TT racing. In addition to the new features discussed above, Zwift’s latest Watopia route (Fuego Flats) and newest world release (Bologna) are both TT-focused, plus they have released a pile of TT frames in the Drop Shop. These developments should excite TT specialists and triathletes!
What Do You Think?
Give the new TT features a go, then share your thoughts in the comments below! You can also share your comments on the official Zwift Support Forum thread.
Most important to me is being able to pick my own time trial bike
You can use ANY frame you’d like.
AWE-SOOOME!!!
Sounds great, maybe I’ll start doing some TTs instead of just regular races.
Fantastic updates. Exciting stuff!
Sounds good, you can tell the people behind this project have put some thought into it.
I think it’ll be good just as long as you aren’t rider number 200+ joining the event and have to sit in the pen for 30 minutes after the advertised event start time before setting off. You could be warming up in the starting pen for longer than your actual race!
Sign up via Companion and it’ll tell you your start time, so you don’t have to wait around at all!
Are these events still only with the Zwift TT bikes? Would be nice to be able to join with your dropshop TT bike.
According to the event descriptions I’m seeing, you can use ANY frame in these events. Drafting will always be disabled though.
Awesome, thanks for that bit of info Eric. Seems they HAVE thought of it all! 🙂
That’s a big plus!
Great! Thanks Eric!
Hey Eric could you please create zwift indsider segments for each of the 1km segments?
Looks like all of today’s (Sunday) TT events have been removed. Sounds like there were some issues yesterday.
Zwift gremlins strike again.
Yes, Sunday 2:00 am EST was the last event held according to ZwiftPower. I see some time trials have been relisted, but none with the new format yet. I expect an update before this feature returns. I’m sure it will be the Monday priority. For searches on ZP, try ‘filter’ and ‘no draft’ or try ‘filter’ and ‘tt’. I think some of us prefer the original format with ‘side by side’ time trials.
I’d like a ghost of my best to compete against.
So TT are listed again in the events cue so they must have straightened out the glitches. I haven’t been home to open ZWIFT to see if there is an update however.
TT are back now in schedule at both worlds
Hi Eric: I am was very excited to do the new TT racing until I looked this morning. I signed up for a TT race this coming Sunday in the D Cat. However, when I looked this morning it has been changed to E, for everyone. This is very discouraging to me since I will have no idea how I fare against my competition. Why would Zwift make all the TT races as an E Cat????? Please change it back to A, B, C, and D Cat. races. I may opt out until that change.
Not sure, you would need to ask Zwift about that! I’m with you–I like to compete against my category (the B’s) and not even see the other categories.
Why are TT races an E event?
I sent this question to Zwift. I’m very eager to hear their response.
Still no drafting in the new Zwift TT events. I used a road (not TT) bike yesterday in Bologna TT… does not appear to be a draft off of other riders who are on either TT or road bikes. Would be nice if they tweak it to enable draft for at least Team TT events. I like the HUD display and the splits info.