Zwift has just announced the Tour De Zwift, and it’s their most ambitious tour to date. With 9 stages across all 5 worlds spanning the entire month of January, this series of events is designed as a “celebration of Zwift and the worlds within.”
Here is Matt Stephens giving us a proper intro to this epic event:
Course details, rules, and registration are at https://zwift.com/tdz
Is This a Race?
Zwift’s official line for these tours is something like this: “It’s a personal challenge against the clock. Some participants will ride the event like a race, but there is no podium at the end. It’s all about getting on the bike, pushing yourself, and completing all the stages.”
With that said… many people treat each stage like a race. And the finishing order will be listed on ZwiftPower, so…
Tour De Zwift Kit
Zwifters who finish all 9 stages will unlock the official Tour De Zwift kit. As with past tours, completing the event is the only way to unlock the kit.
Can’t make one or more stage dates? Keep in mind there will be two makeup days scheduled after the final stage–see “Makeup Dates” below.
Groups
Each stage has two or three groups:
- A Group: longest distance. Men and women can join this group.
- B Group: shorter distance than the A. Men and women can join this group.
- C Group: for women only. Distance is usually the same or slightly longer than the B group
Stage Details
To make sure everyone can fit each stage into their schedule, each stage lasts two days and has events repeating every two hours. On the first day they start every two hours on odd numbered hours, the next day they start on even numbered hours. This way over two days each stage will have taken place every hour.
Invisible Row
Stage 1 - Watopia Jungle Circuit - January 3-4
- Route: Watopia Jungle Circuit
- A Group
Lap Distance: 7.9km / 4.9 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 79 m / 259 ft
Laps: 4
Lead-in distance: 12.7 km / 7.9 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 52.2 km / 27 mi - B Group
Lap Distance: 7.9 km / 4.9 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 79 m / 259 ft
Laps: 2
Lead-in distance: 12.7 km / 7.9 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 28.5 km / 17.7 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 7.9 km / 4.9 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 79 m / 259 ft
Laps: 3
Lead-in distance: 12.7 km / 7.9 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 44.3 km / 22.6 mi
See Stage 1 Events >
Stage 2 - NYC Everything Bagel - January 5-6
- Route: New York Everything Bagel
- A Group
Lap Distance: 34.4 km / 21.4 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 544 m / 1785 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 34.4 km / 21.4 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 34.4 km / 21.4 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 544 m / 1785 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 34.4 km / 21.4 mi
See Stage 2 Events >
Stage 3 - London Keith Hill After Party - January 8-9
- Route: London Keith Hill After Party
- A Group
Lap Distance: 36.4 km / 22.6 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 433 m / 1420 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 36.4 km / 22.6 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 36.4 km / 22.6 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 433 m / 1420 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 36.4 km / 22.6 mi
See Stage 3 Events >
Stage 4 - Watopia Volcano Climb After Party - January 11-12
- Route: Watopia Volcano Climb After Party
- A Group
Lap Distance: 40.2 km / 25 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 286 m / 937 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 40.2 km / 25 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 40.2 km / 25 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 286 m / 937 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 40.2 km / 25 mi
See Stage 4 Events >
Stage 5 - Richmond UCI World Champs - January 15-16
- Route: Richmond UCI World Champs
- A Group
Lap Distance: 16.1 km / 10 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 157 m / 514 ft
Laps: 3
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 48.3 km / 30 mi - B Group
Lap Distance: 16.1 km / 10 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 157 m / 514 ft
Laps: 2
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 32.2 km / 20 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 16.1 km / 10 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 157 m / 514 ft
Laps: 2
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 32.2 km / 20 mi
See Stage 5 Events >
Stage 6 - Watopia Road to Sky - January 19-20
- Route: Watopia Road to Sky
- A Group
Lap Distance: 19.9 km / 12.4 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 1144 m / 3752 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 7.7 km / 4.8 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 27.6 km / 17.2 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 19.9 km / 12.4 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 1144 m / 3752 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 7.7 km / 4.8 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 27.6 km / 17.2 mi
See Stage 6 Events >
Stage 7 - Innsbruck UCI Worlds Short Lap - January 22-23
- Route: Innsbruck UCI Worlds Short Lap
- A Group
Lap Distance: 23.6 km / 14.7 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 494 m / 1622 ft
Laps: 2
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 47.2 km / 29.4 mi - B Group
Lap Distance: 23.6 km / 14.7 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 494 m / 1622 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 23.6 km / 14.7 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 23.6 km / 14.7 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 494 m / 1622 ft
Laps: 1
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 23.6 km / 14.7 mi
See Stage 7 Events >
Stage 8 - London Loop with Box Hill Finish - January 26-27
- Route: London Loop with Box Hill Finish
- A Group (see Strava segment)
Laps: 2.5
Elevation gain: 625 m / 2051 ft
Total distance: 39.6 km / 24.6 mi - B Group (see Strava segment)
Laps: 1.5
Elevation gain: 404 m / 1327 ft
Total distance: 24.7 km / 15.3 mi - C Group (Women Only) (see Strava segment)
Laps: 1.5
Elevation gain: 404 m / 1327 ft
Total distance: 24.7 km / 15.3 mi
See Stage 8 Events >
Stage 9 - NYC Park Perimeter - January 29-30
- Route: New York Park Perimeter Loop
- A Group
Lap Distance: 9.6 km / 6.0 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 126 m / 413 ft
Laps: 4
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 38.4 km / 24 mi - B Group
Lap Distance: 9.6 km / 6.0 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 126 m / 413 ft
Laps: 2
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 19.2 km / 12 mi - C Group (Women Only)
Lap Distance: 9.6 km / 6.0 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 126 m / 413 ft
Laps: 3
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 28.8 km / 18 mi
See Stage 9 Events >
Makeup Dates
If you miss one or more stages, makeups events for all stages will be held on February 2, 3 and 4. Click below for a schedule of makeup events:
Tour de Zwift Makeup Events >
Been sitting here for an hour now with a calendar trying to fit in regular training, one Fondo pr month and this. I will be busy, hope the legs can handle it 😀
If Matt Stephens ever had his hands chopped off, I’m afraid he’d have nothing to say!
Please recalculate the total distance
5 worlds, 2 make up days. Hmmmm does this mean we can ride multiple worlds on one day?
Sure, why not? You can do that already, since events can be held on any world.
I didn’t know that. Too bad, i was hoping for world selection 😇
I’m only level 9 ..can I still have fun with this?
Yes, it’s open to all!
I just signed up for the Build Me Up plan .. I wonder if I should throw this in also.. Each stage runs for 2 days which is good.
Sorry I’m still quite new to Zwift. This will be the first event I sign up for. Will there be a set start time for each stage or can you ride at any time during that day? Thanks
Set start times, but each stage will have multiple start times (every 2 hours) so you can fit it into your schedule. See events list here: https://zwifthacks.com/app/events/?key=5c268480a2c66
Hi, this is Eisenhansi49 from Gluecksburg Germany. Do I have to sign up for this or do I have to register like an ordinary event ? thx Hans
You can join these like an ordinary event. As far as I can see, registering just lets you track your progress on completing all stages.
New Zwifter here – I dont understand the lead-in part (and couldn’t find anything on the forums about it).
1) It seems like its a required part of the stage, and must be done to get full credit for the stage. Is this true?
2) In other group rides, there’s a staging area to warm up in before the ride officially begins, is the lead-in in this format, or is it more like a ride before the main (stage) ride?
Welcome to Zwift! Yes, the lead-in is required. This is the portion from the starting pen to the beginning of the “lap”. Some routes don’t begin right at the start pen, while others do.
These rides will be like other group rides you’ve done, where you start in the staging area. You’ll leave that area, do the lead-in, then begin the “route proper” after the lead-in is complete. Hope that makes sense.
Can you ride the stage more than once i.e. 2 consecutive days
Sure, you can ride any one stage as many times as you’d like!
Hi Eric, Would you know if riders would be able to start an event, say, 15 minutes after the official set start time? Every 2 hours during the week doesn’t give much choice. Get home at 7pm, so just miss that one, then 9pm’s a bit late to start a ride. If a ride is still in progress I guess we can join it but just not as part of the initial pack?
Love the site, particularly the route details, thanks!
It depends on if the event is set up to allow “late joins”. Fortunately for you, all the TdZ events allow late joins! I’m not sure what the limit for late joining is… it used to be 15 minutes, it may not be up to 30 minutes. And sometimes late joining can create some weird bugs, so it’s really best to get there on time.
I still have a couple of trainings to complete a plan (TT). Is it possible to combine a TDZ event while completing a training ? Thanks!
No–you can’t do a workout activity and a group ride/race at the same time.
Is this ZDT kit the only reward? Do they give any extra XP at least? I kinda would like to join but don’t feel enough motivated to adjust my training plan in order to take part in the tour and get this kit.
Yeah, the only reward is the kit unlock. And the memories…. 😛
You can write down your workout to a paper and do it in a group ride “maually”. No erg mode on such a “workout” though 🙂
Is it possible / allowed to ride a couple of stages with the A-group & A couple of stages with the B group?
Yes, you can do this.
F. van der Hout , some stages (#6 for instance) have no B group available. So I believe it’s allowed.
Will this impact my progress against the Everest Challenge? If i sign up for the tour, that is.
I’m nearly done w the full Everest challenge (~168k) and don’t want to start over again.
No, they are totally different things which can be done in parallel. So stay on the Everest challenge, and do TdZ. You’ll get credit on both!
Where is the link to the stage sign up times?
I put links under each stage above.
Thanks for the reply Eric.
For others interested, this, useful info, appeared today on a Zwift discussion from a Zwift source:
“The event times alternate after one day. One day they start every 2 hours on odd number hours, the next day they start on even
number hours. Over 2 days each stage will have taken place every hour.
In addition, all events will be run again on the make up days after Stage 9 so you can catch up any that you may have missed.”
Vive le Tour (de Zwift)!
Thanks! I’ve added that info to the post above.
How do you join the event. Do you just log into the game as normal and it automatically takes you to the start at the time of the event. Thanks
Here’s how joining an event works, James: https://zwiftinsider.com/joining-a-group-ride/
because of work I cannot do stage 2, is there a date to make stage you could not do? (other tours had such)…Hope it is possible…
I just added a link at the bottom of each stage writeup to a list of events for that stage, so folks can easily find the stage that fits their schedule…
Hi!
When you say odd or even numbered times, what time zone are referring to you? Odd number times on East coast are even number times on west coast.
Thanks!
It appears the first day is odd numbered on West Coast, then even on the second. As always, check Companion or Zwift’s calendar to make sure.
Which I have to do tomorrow since my iPad froze during the saving portion of the ride this morning. TdZ Stage 1 was gone….sad face
I did Stage 1 (A) at 4pm EST but when I was on the website to look at Stage 2 I saw a link to register for the event. I registered but it was after I did Stage 1. Will I still get credit or do I have to do it again?
You’ll get credit whether you register or not, far as I know. Registration just lets you track your progress on the site (at least that’s my understanding. I registered but I’m not seeing anything on Zwift’s site about having completed Stage 1.)
I did stage 1 in A group. Am I then stuck to A for remainder of stages or can one flip between A and B from stage to stage?
You can pick A or B for each event, you’re not stuck with any one.
cheers Eric, great website by the way – keep up the good work, thanks
Thanks James!
I did the first stage last night but was forced into the C group when I was there for the B. How do you make sure you get into the right group? Thanks!
As long as you click to register for the B event it should take you there. If it does not, be sure to talk to Zwift support.
Does anybody know how the timing and standings work? People started behind me and finished after me but show up higher placed on the leaderboard. Does the lead-in count toward standings and total time? Or only the timed laps count?
Should be based on overall time.
I already know that I am not able to make the times for Stage 2 (due to work travel) how do we know when the 2 make up days are?
Just found out!
If you miss one or more stages, makeups events for all stages will be held on February 2 and 3. These events should be available on Zwift’s calendar by Friday, January 11th.
New zwifter here. Third ride tonight. This is an awesome weofor new riders. Thanks. So far Zwift is a lot of fun. Question: I thought I signed up for group b – 2 laps around watopia- but when I finished I saw that I had been in group a so only completed 2 of the 4 laps. Any idea whether I’ll get credit? Thx. Randy
I highly doubt you’ll get the credit, Randy, since you didn’t complete the route you signed up for.
Hi Eric, thanks so much for all the tips and news. I’m excited for Tour de Zwift but already know that I will miss stage 4. I understand that zwift will offer makeup sessions during Feb 2-3, do you know if they will be limited? I’m racing/traveling that weekend but will be on the bike Sunday evening, feb 3- yes, during the Super Bowl). I’m curious if you have any idea of the likelihood that I’ll be able to makeup a specific stage during that timeframe.
I have no idea when particular stages will be scheduled for makeup, but I bet the schedule will be up in the next couple days.
Eric – Being new to Zwift, I first want to thank you for all your knowledge that makes the experience easier. The TdZ is my first group ride and I love it. The start is fun, fast and exciting. After I get passed by the much faster riders I settle in and just try to keep my place. My question – do they post event results for all riders? I’m just curious where I fit in and to be awed by all the talented riders.
Hi Mark,
Welcome to Zwift! https://zwiftpower.com/ is where all event results live. You can also see results in the Companion app.
I’ve done all three of the stages and in all stages when looking at the results you see people in the top of the list who didn’t finish the route or did a totally different course. Can somebody explain why these people are still in the results?
Just finished TDZ Stage 3, but I only did 15km, went up box hill instead with a handful of others after being forced to take a wrong turn…it says I’m sixteenth on the stage! Have I completed it or do I need to do it again? Thanks.
Great Idea for the 9 stage tour. My first 2 stages were flawless. I have attempted the third stage 3 times and it has been a train wreck. Riderless bikes, helmets and shoes everywhere. The clock ran at 1/2 speed. Would be nice to have a jersey hanging in the VR closet but may not be worth the headaches.
Eric, will you be doing a verified segment for stage 8, all the other segments have preexisting ones, or new ones. 🙂
Yours are the only segments that matter to my zwift/strava crossover.
Yes, I will! Just haven’t quite yet.
Added! And see route details page here: https://zwiftinsider.com/london-loop-box-hill-finish/
I must be dense, I see the links now. Thanks!
Due to other scheduling conflicts, I would really like to see and second set of makeup dates. Is that possible?
Just added info above!
Do you know if we can sign up for a make up stage to be on Feb 2 or 3 yet? Haven’t been able to find a place to do this. Thank you!
Just added info above!
Also, I’m doing stage 4 tom and want to add some more miles after the stage is finished. if i keep riding will the additional time and miles be added to my stage 4 results? thank you
I have done Stages 1, 2, and 3… But the results on Zwift Companion App never agree with what I see when I cross the finish line. In the top positions on Companion App there always seem to be some ridiculous results reported. For example, doing 25 miles in 1 1/2 minutes seems like something is wrong. And there are many other examples like this…
Also, some of the Stages that I have tried to do have a lot of entrants… 4300 in one of the Stages. Causing lots of problems. Flying bikes, rider-less bikes, veering off course, pedaling very hard and avatar not moving, etc. So I don’t think Zwift can handle that many entrants in one event. I think they need faster/more servers or limit number of entrants so that all entrants have a good experience… Other friends of mine have had the same bad experiences and gave up on that Stage…
I did not realize the Tour de Zwift was happening until after the first ride had occurred. I have ridden Stage 2,3, and 4. I will be able to ride the remaining events. However, I will be in Colombia on a cycling trip leaving early Feb 2 (We must leave our home at 2am), so will be unable to ride on Zwift on either Feb 2 or 3, the make up days. Thus, it appears that I will not be able to fit in Stage 1 on the make-up days. Are there any alternatives? Could I ride two of one of the later stages to get to the correct number of rides, replacing Stage 1 with Stage 5 by riding Stage 5 twice, for instance?
No alternatives that I know of.
can you find an indoor cycling gym in Bogota?
@Eric: Just want to pay my gratitude to the work you and yours (if any) have put into zwift insider. It’s the go to spot for any info on zwift and it’s all there. SInce the game and platform is limited in some aspects, it’s great to see alternatives like zwiftpower and zwift insider flourish. Keep up the good work, much appreciated brozef, I’de be dead in the water without it.
Great to hear, Lexie!
Question/a bit confused about STAGE 8 – LONDON LOOP WITH BOX HILL FINISH – JANUARY 26-27
A Group (see Strava segment)
Lap Distance: 39.6 km / 24.6 mi
Elevation gain per lap: 440 m / 1444 ft
Laps: 2.5
Lead-in distance: 0 km / 0 mi
Total distance with lead-in: 39.6 km / 24.6 mi
Is it 39.6km in totall?
Or 2,5 laps of 39,6km each? Meaning 99km in total!
Hi Robert,
Yeah, that’s confusing. I copied it from Zwift’s official page, but I just changed it above for clarity. 39.km total length! You’ll ride 2.5 laps to get that total distance.
Hi Eric. Thanks for the effort running this blog and answering all questions. Beside TdZ is no race as a sportsman i care about my ranking on zwiftpower. Do you know how zwiftpower would handle the over all riding time if i ride one stage during male up periode a second time in order to improve the time? Thx MAP
Hi Eric,
Thank you for your reply, all clear noe. That is what I guessed and hoped for 🙂
Otherwise I would be joining category B, just to be sure.
I am relativaly new on zwift and I really like it and the tour du Zwift. Keep up the good work! Thanks!
Too bad make up days are in weekends. I often have to commute in weekends to spend time with my daughter. Therefore i missed two races.
I hoped to do these during the make-up days but as these are also in weekend impossible to comply.
Hi Eric! I attempted stage 9 today while sick. I completed the course but my results were absolutely awful. Can I do it again tomorrow, and if yes, will ZwiftPower record the better of the 2 times?
ZwiftPower will record both times!
This means, Zwiftpower will add both times of the same stage together to one time? The outcome would be a worser ranking in TdZ league? Thx MAP
No, I’m sure they would be separate times. I don’t know anything about how ZP handles league ranking, but I’m sure it won’t combine your times.
Random question. I was having a look this morning which stages i need to complete on makeup day and was surprised to see that i was 4 short and not 3 as expected. I have an e-mail confirming i completed stage but at the same time Zwift Power says DNF for Stage 3 while there is also no ride for stage three listed in my.zwift.com. If i remember correctly this was the stage where ZWIFT took me on a short course despite there being no short course option to choose from at the beginning. Does this mean for all those other rides where people were redirected on a short course thru no fault of their own they have to redo?
I completed all 9 stages of the tour, zwift companion app confirms this. when does the kit unlock?
Hey Julian. After the completion of stage 9 i received an email stating this: “As a reward for completing all nine stages, you’ve unlocked the special Tour de Zwift kit! It’ll take some time before it reaches your Zwift closet. Expect to find it hanging and ready to wear by February 9th, 2019. ”
But my kit was unlocked minutes after the email arrived.Ride On! MAP
I thought this might be the case. I didn’t get a confirmation email for stage 9 and after checking also for stage 3&4. It sounds like I need to redo some stages then?
Why not? It’s fun, isn’t it?
Painful……Fun…..close enough ;). I’m just pleased the Alp D’zwift stage registered!