Tour de Zwift will be the largest series of events ever held on Zwift. It’s a 7-stage series, and for each stage Zwifters get to choose between group rides, bike races, and runs. Do just one, or do all three!
Here’s everything we know about TdZ 2020. This page will be constantly updated as new info (stage routes, etc) is released.
Ride or Race
One big change from prior TdZs is Zwift offering riders the opportunity to race each stage. Many riders in the past unofficially raced the stages–but this year Zwift has official race events separate from group ride events.
Group ride events will use double draft mode to help riders stick together and move along at a brisk pace. Race events will use Zwift’s standard draft.
Learn more about TdZ’s open races >
You’ve Got Options
With stages spanning a few days apiece and each group ride category and race covering a different route, Zwifters have several route and effort-level options for each stage.
Can’t get enough TdZ? Ride multiple events in each stage. Perhaps you’d like to enjoy a brisk group ride on a longer route, and race a shorter route? Do it!
Categories
As mentioned above, each stage includes separate group ride and race events.
For group ride events, the category (A, B, C) selected determines your route. This gives riders more control over the length and difficulty of their ride.
- A: long route
- B: shorter/easier route
- C: women only
Race events use the same route regardless of category selection. Racers, choose your category based on FTP w/kg, like most Zwift races:
Mixed (Men & Women) Race Categories
- A: 4-5 w/kg
- B: 3.2-3.9 w/kg
- C: 2.5-3.1 w/kg
- D: 1-2.4 w/kg
Women’s Race Categories
- A: 3.7-5 w/kg
- B: 3.2-3.69 w/kg
- C: 2.5-3.19 w/kg
- D: 1-2.49 w/kg
Stage Details
Stage 1 (London): Jan 12-15 (click for route details)
The London course's "Classique" route takes you on some of the most famous London streets including Strand, The Mall, Constitution Hill, and Birdcage Walk. You ride by Trafalgar Square and Buckingham Palace.
It is a precise replica of the Prudential RideLondon Classique route, which is described as "beginning on The Mall in St James’s Park, going up Constitution Hill, turning at the top to come down and on to Birdcage Walk, then passing Big Ben and turning left on to Whitehall and right on to the Strand before turning again to come back up the Strand, through Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch and back on to The Mall."
Route details:
Distance: 5.4 km (3.3 miles)
Elevation Gain: 19m (62')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/12749761" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Forward Segment[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/19480641" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Reverse Segment[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/19480660" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Reverse Segment Leadin from Start Banner[/button]Start Points and Lead-Ins
When choosing this route to free ride you will begin near the start of the Classique sprint. If you are riding this for an event, you will begin in the London start pens which means a lead-in of approximately 3.9km/2.4 miles before you begin your first Classique lap.
The Strava segments below begin and end at the start/finish banner located on The Mall, not the main start/finish banner where the game starts your ride.
Stage 2 (Innsbruck): Jan 16-19 (click for route details)
Innsbruck's flagship route is actually just a portion of the 2018 UCI Worlds course which was raced in September 2018.
Route details:
Distance: 23.6km (14.7 miles)
Elevation Gain: 487m (1598')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/18397725" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Forward Segment[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/18397965" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (climb only)[/button]Route Profile
It begins in Innsbruck on a flat road which crosses the Sill River then heads beneath the Inntal Autobahn overpass before hitting the big climb. At 7.4km (4.6 miles) with an average grade of 5.4%, the Innsbruck climb is similar to Watopia's Epic KOM in terms of difficulty.
Enjoy the descent, but don't rest too much: you've still got a sprint coming! Head back into town and see if you can make the leaderboard for the sprint along the Inn River (the town's namesake) before crossing the finish line.
UCI Race Details
At the UCI Worlds race, the men’s elite racers began in Kufstein and ride 84.7km to Innsbruck, where they covered this circuit 7 times. And if that wasn't painful enough, the final circuit (not part of the Zwift's Innsbruck course at this time) was a modified one which included an additional climb featuring 25% gradients! Spain's Alejandro Valverde won the 2018 UCI Worlds Elite race from a final pack sprint of four riders. See the finish >
Stage 3 (Watopia): Jan 20-23 (click for route details)
Watopia's "Hilly Route" was the very first route on the island. It includes KOM and sprint sections in both directions.
Stage 4 (Bologna): Jan 24-27 (click for route details)
As a GPS-perfect replica of a grand tour stage, this route is a first for Zwift. The Bologna "Time Trial Lap" route is a replica of the Giro d'Italia prologue TT stage raced on May 11, 2019. The first 3km of this route are actually slightly downhill--enjoy it while it lasts! The next 3km are a false flat. Then you hit the flat right-hand hairpin at 6km it's a hard 2k climb to the finish. The climb averages 9.6%, with a total elevation gain of 198m (649'). Most Zwifters spend roughly half of their race on the flat portion of the course, and half on the climb. For pacing tips on this route read "How to Pace Your Best Bologna TT Race". If you aren't half-blind from an all-out effort you can enjoy some of the landmarks painstakingly recreated by Zwift's artists. We begin at Piazza Maggiore, which is the main square in the heart of Bologna. Other sights here include the Basilica di San Petronio and Fountain of Neptune. Next, we cover some cobbled streets lined with arcades, past Porta San Felice (the westernmost gate of medieval Bologna). The climb begins at Arco del Meloncello with a sharp right hairpin. You'll know you're halfway up the climb when you hit another right hairpin and go under the stone arch. When you see the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca you'll know you're almost there. And when you see the giant Scottie inflatable, give it all you've got over the line! Single-lap events on this route are straightforward enough: it's 8km (5 miles) long, beginning at the start line and ending at the top of the climb. But what about multi-lap events? Many races held on Bologna TT are 2-lap events, but that's a rather confusing way to describe them. The best way to understand this is to know that a "lap" on Bologna TT is just one time riding from the start to the hilltop finish. Descending back to the start line isn't counted as a "lap" in any way. Therefore, a 2-lap event on this route means you still begin at the standard start line, climb to the top, descend down to the start again, turn around, then climb to the top once more. Your event will end atop the second climb, for a total length of 24km (15 miles). Bologna TT is an event-only course, meaning you can only get on the course if you join an event being held there. Want to free-ride the course? Join the event, then click to leave the event. You will remain on the course after leaving the event. Distance: 8km (5 miles)Route Profile
Sightseeing
About Multi-Lap Events
Event Only
Route Details
Elevation Gain: 230m (757')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560239" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560807" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Reverse)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20581507" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Out and Back)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20581369" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Flat Only)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560392" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Climb Only)[/button]
As a GPS-perfect replica of a grand tour stage, this route is a first for Zwift. The Bologna "Time Trial Lap" route is a replica of the Giro d'Italia prologue TT stage raced on May 11, 2019. The first 3km of this route are actually slightly downhill--enjoy it while it lasts! The next 3km are a false flat. Then you hit the flat right-hand hairpin at 6km it's a hard 2k climb to the finish. The climb averages 9.6%, with a total elevation gain of 198m (649'). Most Zwifters spend roughly half of their race on the flat portion of the course, and half on the climb. For pacing tips on this route read "How to Pace Your Best Bologna TT Race". If you aren't half-blind from an all-out effort you can enjoy some of the landmarks painstakingly recreated by Zwift's artists. We begin at Piazza Maggiore, which is the main square in the heart of Bologna. Other sights here include the Basilica di San Petronio and Fountain of Neptune. Next, we cover some cobbled streets lined with arcades, past Porta San Felice (the westernmost gate of medieval Bologna). The climb begins at Arco del Meloncello with a sharp right hairpin. You'll know you're halfway up the climb when you hit another right hairpin and go under the stone arch. When you see the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca you'll know you're almost there. And when you see the giant Scottie inflatable, give it all you've got over the line! Single-lap events on this route are straightforward enough: it's 8km (5 miles) long, beginning at the start line and ending at the top of the climb. But what about multi-lap events? Many races held on Bologna TT are 2-lap events, but that's a rather confusing way to describe them. The best way to understand this is to know that a "lap" on Bologna TT is just one time riding from the start to the hilltop finish. Descending back to the start line isn't counted as a "lap" in any way. Therefore, a 2-lap event on this route means you still begin at the standard start line, climb to the top, descend down to the start again, turn around, then climb to the top once more. Your event will end atop the second climb, for a total length of 24km (15 miles). Bologna TT is an event-only course, meaning you can only get on the course if you join an event being held there. Want to free-ride the course? Join the event, then click to leave the event. You will remain on the course after leaving the event. Distance: 8km (5 miles)Route Profile
Sightseeing
About Multi-Lap Events
Event Only
Route Details
Elevation Gain: 230m (757')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560239" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560807" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Reverse)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20581507" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Out and Back)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20581369" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Flat Only)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560392" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Climb Only)[/button]
As a GPS-perfect replica of a grand tour stage, this route is a first for Zwift. The Bologna "Time Trial Lap" route is a replica of the Giro d'Italia prologue TT stage raced on May 11, 2019. The first 3km of this route are actually slightly downhill--enjoy it while it lasts! The next 3km are a false flat. Then you hit the flat right-hand hairpin at 6km it's a hard 2k climb to the finish. The climb averages 9.6%, with a total elevation gain of 198m (649'). Most Zwifters spend roughly half of their race on the flat portion of the course, and half on the climb. For pacing tips on this route read "How to Pace Your Best Bologna TT Race". If you aren't half-blind from an all-out effort you can enjoy some of the landmarks painstakingly recreated by Zwift's artists. We begin at Piazza Maggiore, which is the main square in the heart of Bologna. Other sights here include the Basilica di San Petronio and Fountain of Neptune. Next, we cover some cobbled streets lined with arcades, past Porta San Felice (the westernmost gate of medieval Bologna). The climb begins at Arco del Meloncello with a sharp right hairpin. You'll know you're halfway up the climb when you hit another right hairpin and go under the stone arch. When you see the Sanctuary of the Madonna di San Luca you'll know you're almost there. And when you see the giant Scottie inflatable, give it all you've got over the line! Single-lap events on this route are straightforward enough: it's 8km (5 miles) long, beginning at the start line and ending at the top of the climb. But what about multi-lap events? Many races held on Bologna TT are 2-lap events, but that's a rather confusing way to describe them. The best way to understand this is to know that a "lap" on Bologna TT is just one time riding from the start to the hilltop finish. Descending back to the start line isn't counted as a "lap" in any way. Therefore, a 2-lap event on this route means you still begin at the standard start line, climb to the top, descend down to the start again, turn around, then climb to the top once more. Your event will end atop the second climb, for a total length of 24km (15 miles). Bologna TT is an event-only course, meaning you can only get on the course if you join an event being held there. Want to free-ride the course? Join the event, then click to leave the event. You will remain on the course after leaving the event. Distance: 8km (5 miles)Route Profile
Sightseeing
About Multi-Lap Events
Event Only
Route Details
Elevation Gain: 230m (757')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560239" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560807" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Reverse)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20581507" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Out and Back)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20581369" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Flat Only)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/20560392" color="black" newwindow="yes"] Strava Segment (Climb Only)[/button]
Stage 5 (New York): Jan 28-31 (click for route details)
Stage 6 (Richmond): Feb 1-4 (click for route details)
The Richmond UCI Worlds route is a replica of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships course in Richmond, Virginia, USA. It was at this race where Peter Sagan famously attacked on 23rd Street to eventually win his first World Champs jersey.
It's a wonderful race course, with the first half very flat, then a nice mix of attackable climbs on the back half.
The Richmond refresh of February 6, 2020 added the ability to u-turn on Richmond, while also adding the reverse version of the 2015 UCI Worlds course as an event-only route.
Distance: 16.3km (10.1 miles)
Elevation Gain: 142m (467′) [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/12128718" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Forward 1 Lap[/button] [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/22809649" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Reverse 1 Lap[/button]
The Richmond UCI Worlds route is a replica of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships course in Richmond, Virginia, USA. It was at this race where Peter Sagan famously attacked on 23rd Street to eventually win his first World Champs jersey.
It's a wonderful race course, with the first half very flat, then a nice mix of attackable climbs on the back half.
The Richmond refresh of February 6, 2020 added the ability to u-turn on Richmond, while also adding the reverse version of the 2015 UCI Worlds course as an event-only route.
Distance: 16.3km (10.1 miles)
Elevation Gain: 142m (467′) [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/12128718" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Forward 1 Lap[/button] [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/22809649" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Reverse 1 Lap[/button]
The Richmond UCI Worlds route is a replica of the 2015 UCI Road World Championships course in Richmond, Virginia, USA. It was at this race where Peter Sagan famously attacked on 23rd Street to eventually win his first World Champs jersey.
It's a wonderful race course, with the first half very flat, then a nice mix of attackable climbs on the back half.
The Richmond refresh of February 6, 2020 added the ability to u-turn on Richmond, while also adding the reverse version of the 2015 UCI Worlds course as an event-only route.
Distance: 16.3km (10.1 miles)
Elevation Gain: 142m (467′) [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/12128718" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Forward 1 Lap[/button] [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/22809649" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Reverse 1 Lap[/button]
Stage 7 (Yorkshire): Feb 5-8 (click for route details)
One of six routes rolled out with Zwift's UCI 2019 Worlds map, "2019 UCI Worlds Harrogate Circuit" covers the actual finishing circuit which the world's top road racers will race in September's 2019 UCI Worlds events. The women's elite riders will cover 3 laps after their lead in segment, while the men's elite riders will do 7 laps. Roll through the start/finish banner in Harrogate, then turn right to head up Otley Road, the longest section of straight road on the Yorkshire course. As you make your way out of Harrogate proper you'll find yourself in the farm lands. Look for sheep, cows, and a friendly farmer on his tractor. The Yorkshire KOM begins when you hit the stone bridge and turn a sharp left. The stream crossed here is called Oak Beck (“Beck” is used often in Yorkshire for a small river or stream). In real life, this bridge is narrow and crossing-controlled by traffic lights to be one way. But we Zwifters get to roll on through. Hit that KOM, enjoy your descent, then turn a sharp left past the Royal Pumproom onto Millionaire's Row. You're now on Cornwall Road, in the Duchy Estate--one of the poshest places in all of England to live. Your next right takes you onto the forward sprint, a short but punchy effort which is mostly uphill until the final few meters. Finish that sprint, enjoy your descent, and wrap up your loop of the Duchy Estate. (Note: the sprint is so short that Strava will not let us create a segment.) You will pass the Royal Pumproom again (this time on your right). In the 18th and 19th centuries, Harrogate made its fortune by drawing often wealthy people to come and take its waters, which had a supposedly curative effect. Known locally as "The Pump Rooms", this is one location where these waters emerged from the ground. As you turn the last right before the finish, note the Zwift Draft House on your left. This is the Cold Bath Brewery where Zwift is setting up shop and giving away its own custom brews during 2019 Worlds Week. Almost there! The straightaway to the finish is uphill, so if you're racing be ready for an especially challenging effort in these final meters. You will pass "Scotty's" on the left, which in real life is Betty's Tearooms, a huge local landmark. This final sprint is where Mark Cavendish famously crashed out of the 2014 Tour de France. Happily, Zwifters don't need to worry about such dangers, but you can certainly appreciate the massive effort put forth in this final drag to the finish. Special thanks to Simon Schofield from the Zwiftcast for helping us put together these route notes. Simon is a Yorkshireman who has ridden these roads hundreds of times, so his local knowledge proved invaluable to us and to Zwift, who used his input to create and name Yorkshire's routes. There is a reverse version of this route, but it is event-only and thus only used for official events. See Strava segment below. There isn't much that is flat in Yorkshire, but the climbs are never long, either. Route details:Route Description
Reverse Version
Profile
Distance: 13.8km (8.6 miles)
Elevation Gain: 240m (787')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21738724" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Banner to Banner)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21766077" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (from Start Pens)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21747707" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Reverse, Banner to Banner)[/button] [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21747707" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Reverse, from Start Pens)[/button]
One of six routes rolled out with Zwift's UCI 2019 Worlds map, "2019 UCI Worlds Harrogate Circuit" covers the actual finishing circuit which the world's top road racers will race in September's 2019 UCI Worlds events. The women's elite riders will cover 3 laps after their lead in segment, while the men's elite riders will do 7 laps. Roll through the start/finish banner in Harrogate, then turn right to head up Otley Road, the longest section of straight road on the Yorkshire course. As you make your way out of Harrogate proper you'll find yourself in the farm lands. Look for sheep, cows, and a friendly farmer on his tractor. The Yorkshire KOM begins when you hit the stone bridge and turn a sharp left. The stream crossed here is called Oak Beck (“Beck” is used often in Yorkshire for a small river or stream). In real life, this bridge is narrow and crossing-controlled by traffic lights to be one way. But we Zwifters get to roll on through. Hit that KOM, enjoy your descent, then turn a sharp left past the Royal Pumproom onto Millionaire's Row. You're now on Cornwall Road, in the Duchy Estate--one of the poshest places in all of England to live. Your next right takes you onto the forward sprint, a short but punchy effort which is mostly uphill until the final few meters. Finish that sprint, enjoy your descent, and wrap up your loop of the Duchy Estate. (Note: the sprint is so short that Strava will not let us create a segment.) You will pass the Royal Pumproom again (this time on your right). In the 18th and 19th centuries, Harrogate made its fortune by drawing often wealthy people to come and take its waters, which had a supposedly curative effect. Known locally as "The Pump Rooms", this is one location where these waters emerged from the ground. As you turn the last right before the finish, note the Zwift Draft House on your left. This is the Cold Bath Brewery where Zwift is setting up shop and giving away its own custom brews during 2019 Worlds Week. Almost there! The straightaway to the finish is uphill, so if you're racing be ready for an especially challenging effort in these final meters. You will pass "Scotty's" on the left, which in real life is Betty's Tearooms, a huge local landmark. This final sprint is where Mark Cavendish famously crashed out of the 2014 Tour de France. Happily, Zwifters don't need to worry about such dangers, but you can certainly appreciate the massive effort put forth in this final drag to the finish. Special thanks to Simon Schofield from the Zwiftcast for helping us put together these route notes. Simon is a Yorkshireman who has ridden these roads hundreds of times, so his local knowledge proved invaluable to us and to Zwift, who used his input to create and name Yorkshire's routes. There is a reverse version of this route, but it is event-only and thus only used for official events. See Strava segment below. There isn't much that is flat in Yorkshire, but the climbs are never long, either. Route details:Route Description
Reverse Version
Profile
Distance: 13.8km (8.6 miles)
Elevation Gain: 240m (787')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21738724" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Banner to Banner)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21766077" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (from Start Pens)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21747707" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Reverse, Banner to Banner)[/button] [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21747707" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Reverse, from Start Pens)[/button]
One of six routes rolled out with Zwift's UCI 2019 Worlds map, "2019 UCI Worlds Harrogate Circuit" covers the actual finishing circuit which the world's top road racers will race in September's 2019 UCI Worlds events. The women's elite riders will cover 3 laps after their lead in segment, while the men's elite riders will do 7 laps. Roll through the start/finish banner in Harrogate, then turn right to head up Otley Road, the longest section of straight road on the Yorkshire course. As you make your way out of Harrogate proper you'll find yourself in the farm lands. Look for sheep, cows, and a friendly farmer on his tractor. The Yorkshire KOM begins when you hit the stone bridge and turn a sharp left. The stream crossed here is called Oak Beck (“Beck” is used often in Yorkshire for a small river or stream). In real life, this bridge is narrow and crossing-controlled by traffic lights to be one way. But we Zwifters get to roll on through. Hit that KOM, enjoy your descent, then turn a sharp left past the Royal Pumproom onto Millionaire's Row. You're now on Cornwall Road, in the Duchy Estate--one of the poshest places in all of England to live. Your next right takes you onto the forward sprint, a short but punchy effort which is mostly uphill until the final few meters. Finish that sprint, enjoy your descent, and wrap up your loop of the Duchy Estate. (Note: the sprint is so short that Strava will not let us create a segment.) You will pass the Royal Pumproom again (this time on your right). In the 18th and 19th centuries, Harrogate made its fortune by drawing often wealthy people to come and take its waters, which had a supposedly curative effect. Known locally as "The Pump Rooms", this is one location where these waters emerged from the ground. As you turn the last right before the finish, note the Zwift Draft House on your left. This is the Cold Bath Brewery where Zwift is setting up shop and giving away its own custom brews during 2019 Worlds Week. Almost there! The straightaway to the finish is uphill, so if you're racing be ready for an especially challenging effort in these final meters. You will pass "Scotty's" on the left, which in real life is Betty's Tearooms, a huge local landmark. This final sprint is where Mark Cavendish famously crashed out of the 2014 Tour de France. Happily, Zwifters don't need to worry about such dangers, but you can certainly appreciate the massive effort put forth in this final drag to the finish. Special thanks to Simon Schofield from the Zwiftcast for helping us put together these route notes. Simon is a Yorkshireman who has ridden these roads hundreds of times, so his local knowledge proved invaluable to us and to Zwift, who used his input to create and name Yorkshire's routes. There is a reverse version of this route, but it is event-only and thus only used for official events. See Strava segment below. There isn't much that is flat in Yorkshire, but the climbs are never long, either. Route details:Route Description
Reverse Version
Profile
Distance: 13.8km (8.6 miles)
Elevation Gain: 240m (787')
[button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21738724" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Banner to Banner)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21766077" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (from Start Pens)[/button][button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21747707" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Reverse, Banner to Banner)[/button] [button link="https://www.strava.com/segments/21747707" color="black" newwindow="yes"]Strava Segment (Reverse, from Start Pens)[/button]
Makeup Days: Feb 10-16
Sign up for events at Zwift.com or via Zwift Companion
See all upcoming TdZ events at ZwiftHacks.com >
Prizes and Unlocks
Complete all stages to unlock the exclusive TdZ 2020 kit. This is the kit you’ve seen riders have been wearing for all the TdZ events.
Pro-Am Invitational Races on Tour de Zwift Live
Another new and fun addition to this year’s TdZ is Zwift’s Pro-Am Invitational race seres. These live-streamed invitational races feature top riders taking on the same course we’ll all race, the day before each stage begins. Read all about it here >
TdZ for Runners
There is also a TdZ for Runners happening at the same time as TdZ for Riders. It has its own (secret) unlock and set of 7 stages.
We will publish a separate post covering this, once we get more details.
Registration
Riders and Runners can register for the TdZ using the links below. This just gets you signed up for the overall Tour(s), meaning Zwift will send you reminder emails, etc. You will still need to sign up for each specific stage.
Register for TdZ Ride >
Register for TdZ Run >
Questions or Comments?
Share them below, and we’ll do our best to get answers!
Do you know what the run courses will be? I think stage 3 is Road to the Ruins based on the images from Zwift.
Not yet! I’ll do a dedicated post for the run event once I get more info.
Registration link seems wrong. Broken.
Is there an active sign up link for Ride?
As mentioned above, there’s a bug preventing some outside the US from registering. I’m sure it’ll be fixed soon!
There is a work-around mentioned on the Zwift forum that worked for me: change your flag (near the login in your webbrowser) to US, register, and change it back.
That didn’t work for me.
Logged out, changed the flag from UK to US, clicked on the register link, asked me to login and then took me straight back to the broken page. Then tried changing the flag while already logged in, refreshed the page, showed the US flag but still refused to let me go to anything but the broken page.
Not really good enough a week ahead of the start.
seems to work now
“Finish all and unlock a kit to light up your locker.”
Was really hoping you were right about the new bike.
https://zwift.com/tdzride?utm_source=ericschlange&utm_campaign=zwift_cycling_affiliate_ericschlange_apr19&utm_medium=affiliate
I wonder if it will be a “Tron” jersey? (The description reads: “light up” your locker).
I think too many people thought this too and they confirmed it is just the jersey from the tdz -_-
The jersey does seem a bit illuminated… But I won’t be pairing it with my Tron
Between keeping it a secret and overcommitting the coolness of the prize it now feels like a bait and switch.
Can y ride this in erg mode? Maybe even ride doing workout I created in Zwift
Not really. I mean, you could do a hack thing and control your trainer in ERG via another device or app. But you can’t do a Zwift ERG workout while doing the event.
No distances released yet? I’m guessing somewhere from 40-50 km for the shorter distance?
The link appears to work now but only in Chrome for me. Its a good job you had a link because I cannot find TDZ through navigation of the ZWIFT website! You might expect it to be a headline in the Events page but no; the website isn’t great which, is a shame.
I am currently following a Zwift 12 week winterplan.
Can i do a TDZ stage as workout according my plan ?
You can’t do ERG workouts during official events, no.
Looks like there Is tour de zwift stage 1 today at 5pm MST. But I don’t know why…. it isn’t supposed to start for awhile
There is a TDZ Event today at 7PM EST….but it is the only one for a week…any idea why…maybe an initial test before full launch?
I signed up for it on a whim but it seems to have been taken down already.
Can I ride the stages on my own or do I have to join a group ride?
You have to join a group ride (an official Tour de Zwift event). I mean, you could free-ride each stage’s route, I suppose. You just won’t get credit for completing TdZ, and you’ll miss out on the glorious experience of riding with other splendid folks like me! 😉
If you can’t make the time slot, just select that ride sometime earlier and log in. You’re avatar will sit on the side of the road until about 5 minutes before the event, when he’ll be auto sent to the pens. When your ready, you’ll just start your ride even if it’s hours later. You’ll probably be on the course all by yourself, but it will count it. I’ve done this several times during past tours on Zwift.
It looks like for the first stage there is not a category D nor E. Are those riders not permitted to join?
Sara, if you want to complete the stage as group ride then the category defines only the length, profile and route of the stage and A,B and C has not connection with your category. If you want to complete the stage as a race (usually the stages start 10min later than the group rides) then you need to register to the right category based on your FTP (A,B,C or D)
Is it possible to ride a Stage 1 race and the Stage 1 Group Ride afterwards, like one day later?
Yep, ride as many events as you want.
Is there no group ride for D category on stage 1 (or any other stage) ?
Categories are only used to denote route (and therefore distance) for the group rides. So you don’t need to worry about riding in the D category if you’re a lower FTP rider… that only matters in the race events.
Choose any category for the group rides… the only difference will be the route you’re placed on.
Do the races count for your zwiftpower points?
Greetz
The events are listed on ZwiftPower as races, so I would say yes!
Can i do a race on the 1st stage and a group ride the 2nd stage ?
Yes.
Last year we were able to earn lots of extra XPs during the tdZ, will that be the case again?
Apparently the first race is not London 8 but two laps of the London Classique route, which makes it shorter and easier than any of the group rides. Very disappointing. The group rides are probably going to be more competitive than the races 🙁
Why not do both? That’s my plan – race the short race course and the long ride course. If it’s anything like Tour of London- they’ll be plenty of competition in the group rides.
Agree, I am just going to go fast on the group rides. The long races were amazing last year, I was so disappointed when I saw the race courses. I get splitting into casual rides and racers but then why make the race courses so short and poor? I think it is more to do with a poorly thought out plan to create an esport.
After seeing the first two stages, I really prefer the routes selected for the women’s only rides (I also need those route achievements so that may have something to do with it).
I signed up for a group ride but could not find how to join as it was time to go.
Today we had NY and Watopia , so I was not able to select the group eide route in London. Not sure how I at the end managed to select London & join . Somehow my Companion App asked if I want still to join the ride. How can I select the route to join?
Just start warming up on whatever course is available ahead of the start. Zwift will ask if you want to be teleported to the start if the ride is about to start.
So today was a bit of a comedy event. Signed up for the 11:10am EST Race in the B category. Set off at usual crazy pace into the lead out lap, made the left towards Westminster in the lead group in 20th place only to find myself all of a sudden in 70th place, 30 seconds behind the leaders. followed the lead group for a lap around the London Classique, the designated route, then on the last lap coming in to Westminster again instead of making a right toward the Mall we kept on straight until making a left over the river and then up Box Hill. Finish was half way down the other side. Half the race did the Classique and half Box hill with a 2 minute time penalty. All very weird.
My wife and I enrolled to TdZ. We did TdZ stage 1 (London course) yesterday and mine was virtually flat (group ride, Cat B), whereas hers was more demanding (group ride, Cat C, she went up Box Hill). Any rationale for it?
If you’d done Cat A’s route, yours would have been more demanding than hers! So you have several route options between the group ride categories and races… just depends on what kind of route you want to ride.
Thanks for the reply. I’m inclined to think Cat C will be more challenging and demanding than Cat B throughout the TdZ, (i.e, in terms of difficulty, you could rank them as Cat A > Cat C > Cat B) . Am I correct?
Cat C is women only, cat A and B is both/all (Just to be sure) genders where cat A is a different/longer/more difficult route compared to Cat. B (at least for London).
Edit:
Same for Innsbruck, Cat C is women only, Cat A & B is both genders etc etc..
A friend signed up for the 1st stage but apparently didn’t get registered for TDZ overall. She got an UPG in zwiftpower, so is now disappointed that she’ll have to repeat stage one … is that even possible? Seems like you should be automatically entered in the overall if you sign up for stage 1… please set me straight on how this works. Clear info is important for the big Zwift events
Being registered for the overall probably doesn’t matter… it just gets you on the list for email reminders and such (I would guess).
ZwiftPower is another matter entirely. She got an UPG because she entered too low of a race category for her ability, so if she wants to content for the overall league win, she’ll need to race the stage again in the right category so she isn’t DQ’d.
Eric – Rode today, Jan 13. Signed up for Stage 1 (greatest London Flat) but Zwift loaded Yorkshire not London. Shutdown Zwift and restarted but again loaded Yorkshire so I went ahead and rode. Zwift gave be credit for Stage 1. Is this a glitch in the system? I need to know ahead of time what I’ve signed up for since some days I have time constraints. I’d appreciated anything you can tell me about this. – Thanks Paul
That’s odd. Did you click to join the event while riding in game, and it took you to Yorkshire? How did it work, exactly?
Thank you for your response. I had set a reminder for the event ahead of time; started about 10 minutes ahead of time; it took me to the start line for Yorkshire (surprised me but I decided to stay and see what happened, no other riders at the start line); when the ride started was still on Yorkshire so I quit out of Zwift and restarted; again it took me to Yorkshire (I wanted to ride so went ahead and rode, there were only two other riders on the course). Completed the 19.2 miles and got credit for stage 1.
Hi Eric, I am trying to understand the point system in Zwift Power vs. the total time value used in Tour of London. Is there a reason they are doing point system where so many people tie?
Thank you!
Is there a make up race for stage one of tdz
Yes, makeup dates are listed above.
Eric I have a question about stage 3 Bologna I do not see it on the calendar if I register will it pop up and let me in? I am a rookie at this so I want to make sure I do it right
No, you have to wait until the events are added to the calendar, then sign up for one of the timeslots that works for ya.
Awesome thank you
Seems like they posted Stage 3 on the Events Schedule (looking through the Companion App). Similar logic to what Stages 1 and 2 were. The A-ride is 26.5mi, Watopia Big Loop, B and C rides are Sand & Sequoia, 13.9mi. Race is Watopia Hilly (Two laps), 11.5mi.
A bit sad, was hoping for a race up Alpe du Zwift, or at least the Epic KOM. Watopia was a great opportunity for a serious mountain.
I was guessing volcano after party.
I’m very confused by Stage 2 (Innsbruck) distances.
Group A (long distance) = 37km, 657m gain
Group B (short distance) = 8.7km, 76m gain
I wish the distance/gain discrepancy wasn’t so big between the two. Stage 1 and Stage 3 have much more reasonable (longer) short distance group B groups to my mind. Innsbruck group A is a bit much for me, but group B is like a warmup.
I believe B cat is actually 2 Innsbruckring laps, so the distance is twice what you’ve stated. For some reason Zwift has it one way on the /tdzride page, but another way in the actual events.
You are correct! I just finished it and sure enough it was 2 laps. While the signup page says 1 lap. Bit annoying as I hopped on my bike in street clothes thinking it would be a super quick ride 😆
https://imgur.com/dTqH6q2
@guest_30062 – Always trust the Zwift Insider page, man. 😉
I see there is a makeup days planned — if I missed stage one, could I get it then?
Yep, that’s the idea!
It looks like the A and B Watopia routes all start before the start pens. Will route achievement badges be awarded for the Watopia TDZ routes?
To answer my own question – The long route did award the Big Loop route badge.
I’ve found many of the tour of Zwift races but I’ve never seen group rides. I read they have categories that are distance /group ride oriented. Only categories I’ve ever seen are by w/kg. How can i find a longer group ride on my Zwift app and register to ride? Thank you. Love Zwift!!!!!
There are lots of group rides scheduled. For example: https://www.zwift.com/events/view/303767
What Does the make up Day means? Is It a possibility to Ride a course that u misser for some kind of reason
Yes, makeup days will include events for all stages, so if you missed any you can make them up that week. Makeup Days: Feb 9-16th
All right, seems like there are no workarounds for Bologna – the Race is 3 times the course! Welcome to the pain train ride, make sure you select your lightest bike and wheels!
Well… 2 times up the climb, to be accurate.
is there some catch-up sessions if we missed one or two stages?
Makeup Days: Feb 9-16th
Will Bologna be in time trial mode or will there be drafting?
Drafting! No TT allowed.
Just curious – would you personally want a TT stage? I think Zwift is doing a great job in terms of bringing more people into racing and increasing involvement, however I feel like it would be great to have some of this “grand tour” experience – where you actually have general classification, can see your gap and place overall, there are some TT and maybe mountain TT stages….
I could take it or leave it. Zwift has already made it clear that they’re trying to keep the racing in TdZ pretty basic and fun–making it a TT would add a level of complexity to that, and there are already TT’s available elsewhere.
Basic and fun probably goes back to your wonderful article about enforcing w/kg categories… I am at the very top of C – a few steps away from B, probably, but at least a good contender for solid performances in my current Cat. So, here is my experience with the Innsbruck race – it was somewhat fun, but somewhat not.
We all go out pretty hard, I am in the first group. First two minutes way above FTP, working hard, HR is high. Staying in the first group. One attack – we catch up. Another one – we catch up again. Then, one guy just starts going @ 5 wkg – and that’s it. So, now there is this guy, 40 sec behind him there is our group of 8, then 9 sec further away there is another group. We stay in the same group all the way till the finish line. The race is short, there is no way you can legitimately push and hope to stay ahead. Finish line sprint – I am fourth, with the 5th guy 0.3 seconds behind me. I go to Zwiftpower – 3 guys in front of me are not there. The “winner” is Cat B, #2 and #3 are not on ZP, but even if they were – their average HRs were 140 for the whole effort. Who was I racing with and who was I racing against? I sort of won, but did I, really?
I often get this feeling that Zwift is the best thing out there, but it’s so raw and so “beta” for a 5-year old product…
“… but it’s so raw and so “beta” for a 5-year old product…”
That is both fair comment and unfair comment at the same time. In days gone by you could argue that 5 years after release a piece of software should never give the impression of still being in “beta”, but there was a good reason that for a number of years all of Google’s software was officially shown to be in beta all the time.
The current trend is for software not to run in distinct versions but to be in a constant cycle of rolling out updates and new features … long gone are the days of Office97 being replaced by Office 2000 then OfficeXP etc. Now we have Office365 which is constantly updated with new features rolled out more quickly and without the same level of beta stage testing as those older, versioned programs would have had.
In that context there will always be some elements of the product that are new, or recently added that are, essentially, in beta, because the developer knows that real world testing will take place as soon as the update rolls out and that they are in a position to update and tweak in response to it when they roll out the next update … or they can roll out a quick bug fix if a need for that is identified.
Some of the things Zwift haven’t done (such as allowing you to end and save a ride and start another without exiting and restarting the software) still surprise and frustrate me, but it is not surprising that some things still feel raw and beta given that (like Office365) it is in a constant state of updating and new things being added.
It also needs to be said that software development is not an exact science and it is very, very common to make that “easy” bug fix only to find that the fix breaks something else.
Zwift is by no means perfect … but that’s good because it keeps us all requesting (and getting) new and improved features.
But please … let me save and restart without exiting!!
I think a GC over the whole TdZ is a fantastic idea and Zwift have missed a trick there! I accept the point of encouraging broad engagement but I’m sure it would help with motivation to complete the Tour if you were battling for position over the whole race. There are complications over different group rides moving at different speeds so it’s not entirely a fair contest but it’s just for fun after all.
Why no Crit City?
I haven’t asked Zwift, but my guess is it’s because the course is only 1.2 miles long–it would get way too crowded with 700 riders on it for one event like some of the TdZ events have!
New York routes are up on zwift.com/tdzride
A 1x Everything Bagel
B 2x Park Perimeter Loop
C 1x Knickerbocker
Race 2x Gotham Grind Reverse
Eric
Any idea why times in some group rides stop looking like a standard time and go to something like the following 4595986?
Sorry if this is a repeat as there are so many questions – at the end will there be an opportunity to do any stages we have missed? Last year we could do that. Thank you too for all the options! Makes it more fun 🙂
Yes, makeup dates are listed above!
I missed a stage when can i ride the missed stage?
Makeup Days: Feb 9-16th
Can you join TdZ event with a power-up, or do you lose it when you are teleported to the start pens?
You lose it. This is true for all events.
I have seen a few riders dropping Power-ups in the first Km. It may be a bug or they are still on an old zwift version.
Stage 4 Zwift Insider segment ‘Big Loop (Zwift Insider verified)’ does not match.
I could not make stage 3 . Are you planning another session for whom could not make a stage ?
There are Makeup Days starting from 9th to 16th of February where you can complete what you have missed.
Can you register for a group ride twice? Eg. a group ride in Bologna on Thursday and on Friday
Yup.
@Eric Schlange There’s an error in the drop down menu’s for stage 5. You’ve made two B groups and forgot the C 😉
Oops. Fixed, thanks!
Hi! Doing the Tour the Zwift. I want to race with my buddy (we train together). Any tips on how to be side by side on the starting line? Thanks!
Join the pens at the same time!
Ok… thanks!
First: congratulations to a wonderful site you have created, Eric. I don’t know what I would have done or where I would be now without your great help, tips and advices.
Here my question: today I raced the NYC loops, in cat C. I ended up 21st – but for the first time I cannot find myself on ZwiftPower. On my profile it says UPG. What does that mean?
Do I have to redo the race? Why does this show up when others have higher wattage and w/kg numbers?
Thanks for some clarity.
Yes, the UPG means you need to race in the next cat higher, as your w/kg were too high.
ZwiftPower uses “Average of best 3 races in last 90 days (4.1 + 3.9 + 3.8 = 3.9w/kg)” to decide if you need to upgrade. So a rider could exceed the limits once or twice without getting DQ’d!
Thank you very much – that’s helpful. Do I need to redo the race? I will sign up for B next time (glad to know I am fitter than I thought)
You only need to do it again if you care about your TdZ league ranking on ZwiftPower. ZwiftHQ doesn’t care that you were out of your correct category.
Why must the elevation be a sercret…..?
Who’s keeping it a secret? It’s in the event description… or click the route option above and see it in the route details.
On the zwift app it down appear
Hi Community! Do you know if there are also rides in the “Women’s Race Categories” during the make up days? I want to do
some races again. Thanks for help! 🙂
The makeup schedule isn’t out yet, but my guess is there will be women’s races on it.
Thanks Eric! 😊 I really hope …!
Why when i passed the finish line my time is 30.03 and it shows 30.27 in the result at the end? ***stage 5 race***. Thanks
No idea, perhaps something to ask Zwift support?
Do you know if there’s a cumulative time for doing all the races or is it simply recorded race by race? It would be good to compare myself to the thousands of other riders, as well as trying to move up the rankings stage by stage like a real world tour.
Cheers