Zwift has announced plans for its 3rd Tour de Zwift (TdZ). Launched in 2019 as Zwift’s most ambitious tour at that time, 2020’s TdZ outdid it with even more options for riders and runners. Now in 2021 Zwift is raising the bar even higher with an 8-stage, 40-day tour that covers more routes than any Zwift event to date!
This year’s Tour de Zwift is all about embarking on the journey. A “Tour de Zwift Passport” will allow us to collect stamps by traveling to one or more destinations in each stage.
Here’s everything we know about TdZ 2021 for cyclists. We’ll publish a separate post for runners, and update each of these posts if/when more information is released.
Signing Up
You can sign up now at zwift.com/tour-de-zwift/ride, or in-game.
Stage Details
This year, all TdZ ride events are designated as group rides (not races). Does that mean people won’t race them? Of course not. Some will go all-out, others will just be there for the socializing and sightseeing. Find a group riding at your pace and accomplish your goal, whatever it is! Just know these events don’t count for ranking points on ZwiftPower, and categories (A-D) have nothing to do with w/kg.
There are 8 stages, and each stage lasts 5 days.
Each stage has four different signup options: a longer ride, a “standard length” ride, and a shorter ride. There is also a women’s only event option, which uses the same route as the standard ride. Of course, you can take part in multiple versions of each stage: for example by riding in Group A for a Stage 1 event, then joining Group C for another Stage 1 event.
Stage 1 (Jan 4-8): Favorite Flat Routes
- Group A (Longer Ride): London’s Greater London Flat (3 laps)
- Group B (Standard Ride): Watopia’s Volcano Flat (2 laps)
- Group C (Shorter Ride): New York’s The 6 Train (3 laps)
- Group D (Women Only): Watopia’ Volcano Flat (2 laps)
Stage 2 (Jan 9-13): World Champ Routes
- Group A (Longer Ride): Richmond’s 2015 UCI Worlds (2 laps)
- Group B (Standard Ride): Innsbruck’s 2018 UCI Worlds Course Short Lap (1 lap)
- Group C (Shorter Ride): Yorkshire’s 2019 UCI Worlds Harrogate Circuit (2 laps)
- Group D (Women Only): Innsbruck’s 2018 UCI Worlds Course Short Lap (1 lap)
Stage 3 (Jan 14-18): Serious Mountain Routes
- Group A (Longer Ride): France’s La Reine
- Group B (Standard Ride): Watopia’s Road to Sky
- Group C (Shorter Ride): Watopia’s Mountain Route
- Group D (Women Only): Watopia’s Road to Sky
Stage 4 (Jan 19-23): Scenic Views
- Group A (Longer Ride): Watopia’s Sand and Sequoias
- Group B (Standard Ride): France’s Casse-Pattes
- Group C (Shorter Ride): London’s Greater London Loop
- Group D (Women Only): France’s Casse-Pattes
Stage 5 (Jan 24-28): Favorite After-Party Routes
- Group A (Longer Ride): Watopia’s Volcano Climb After Party
- Group B (Standard Ride): New York’s NYC KOM After Party
- Group C (Shorter Ride): Richmond’s Libby Hill After Party
- Group D (Women Only): New York’s NYC KOM After Party
Stage 6 (Jan 29-Feb 2): Rolling Hills
- Group A (Longer Ride): Innsbruck’s Innsbruckring
- Group B (Standard Ride): Watopia’s Flat Route
- Group C (Shorter Ride): France’s R.G.V.
- Group D (Women Only): Watopia’s Flat Route
Stage 7 (Feb 3-7): Jungle + Gravel
- Group A (Longer Ride): Watopia’s Jungle Circuit (4 laps)
- Group B (Standard Ride): Watopia’s Jungle Circuit (3 laps)
- Group C (Shorter Ride): Watopia’s Jungle Circuit (2 laps)
- Group D (Women Only): Watopia’s Jungle Circuit (3 laps)
Stage 8 (Feb 8-12): Urban Routes
- Group A (Longer Ride): London Classique
- Group B (Standard Ride): New York’s Park Perimeter
- Group C (Shorter Ride): Paris’ Champs-Élysées
- Group D (Women Only): New York’s Park Perimeter
Make Up Days
If you miss a stage but want to complete the full Tour, never fear! There will be make up events scheduled from Feb 13-20.
Stage Unlocks
There are various kit unlocks available, but Zwift isn’t being terribly specific about what gets unlocked when. We do know there are TdZ socks, hat, and a jersey for both riders and runners!
Cycling and running kits 
Cycling and running hats and socks
Special Events
In addition to the 8 stages described above, riders will be able to join two different types of special TdZ 2021 events:
- Special Guest Rides: Group rides with a special guest leader. Past special guests have included TdF champs, Ironman winners, and sports legends.
- Rookie Rides: For those who have never done a group ride before, these events will be led by some of Zwift’s most experienced riders to help educate participants about group rides and make their first experience enjoyable. These events will take place every Tuesday and Saturday during the regular tour dates: Jan 4 – Feb 12
Zwift + Le Col Merch and Colnago Giveaway
Zwift has teamed up with Le Col to develop some TdZ 2021 merch which can be purchased through Le Col.
Complete any stage and you’ll get an email offer for $65 USD // £50 GBP off your purchase as well as an entry in a giveaway for a limited-edition Le Col + Colnago C64 road bike ($10K USD // £7.5K GBP value). (See giveaway terms and conditions for details.)
Questions or Comments?
Share below!
But where will the double XP be?! 😄
They’ve never done Double XP for TdZ. But Tour of Watopia… that’s a different story! And I hear that’s coming up soon… 😉
Yipee!
…maybe that is when they will bring in the new routes as events.
Is it Tour de Zwift or Tournof Watopia that gives double XP?
True – that’s Tour of Watopia. Nevermind 😂
Are those stages race or ride? Just to understand about ranking points
Just group rides!
He he, another great way yo burn of the calories after Xmas Puddings second helping. 😛😛… Maybe by March we will see NEW ROUTES….. here’s to hoping for my Xmas wish. 🤔
So probably no new roads due for a while then…
I wouldn’t be so sure… (stay tuned!)
Gravel routes confirmed? Looks like it based on stage 7
what do you know that we don’t. !?!
Wait new routes?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?
Lol, pls tell us what you know. We are desperate for new route!
Chance to see new routes? :O
Error in stage 5 route list: Libby Hill is Richmond.
Fixed!
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it funny you Guys ask me to go Live on twitch, Bath Salts plz go Live, i am LMAO so hard about this.
In case anyone else was wondering, that £50 discount is only on an order of £100+, so not a free shirt 😅
Given the jersey is £125 it doesn’t even make it half price, let alone free.
I’m looking forward to this – there haven’t been enough missions and tours this year.
Btw – think ‘£7.5K BGP value’ should be GBP?
Will be pointless doing any with thousands in any group, even with my fast pc, it’ll be horrible and jumpy as usual so I won’t be wasting my time. Humbug. Lol.
Scrooge!
I did the TDZ Stage 1 – Longer route at 12:00 (GMT) today…. There were around 650 riders and I had no lagging or jumpy issues, joined event 2 mins before start without any lag… My PC is a 4th gen i7 with a Radeon RX580 graphics card, nothing too special.
Maybe because it’s one of the later stage 1 events – I read that the first stage 1 events were a disaster a few days ago.
Can we mix rides.ABC depending how we feel or do you have to do them all in same group.cheers
you can mix up the rides, they don’t all have to be the same category (length/route).
I can’t understand why both New York and the tour de Zwift can’t do the double formula of Ride and Race for people like me who are very competitive. I can’t take part in a ride and give my best knowing that there is no ranking. Zwift is letting me down.
Darn! I was really looking forward to this event, but the lack of races is a tremendous disappointment. Has anyone got any insight into this decision? Seems like a highly questionable move considering how many hardcore Zwifters are into racing and competition.
Maybe more would be interested in racing on Zwift if it was more than a cheat fest.
Basically they know they’re being criticized for their lack of action on sandbagging. This way they avoid criticism. Based on my experience with the tour of New York this weekend, it’s much less fun than having categorized races. Giant group rides(really races) of 800 where you don’t know anyones category isnt a great experience.
I so much prefer open races. I kinda get that everyone wants to find a category where they can be in the top 10 every time, but I just like finding a group and working together to stay ahead or bridge up to the closest bunch, then attack each other for the finish.
With the open races we don’t have to “listen” to the endless sandbagging comments.
Zwift could do much better than having four power to weight categories. They have data on a huge number of riders. Could easily put people into categories of similar riders, by for example power, weight and age (and weight cheats would find themselves racing mostly other weight cheats)
Oooh, saw a new road in the Jungle (“Mayan Bridge” IIRC) and something called “Epic KOM Bypass” when I was out riding an hour ago. Would have gone exploring but I’d committed to a ride with Amelia Aquentil so didn’t wanna change course 😂
Yes, see https://zwiftinsider.com/update-1-0-60239/
The Epic KOM Bypass is beautiful!
There’s a little typo: “…for example by riding in Group 1 for a Stage 1 event,…”. Should probably be “for example by riding in Group A for a Stage 1 event,…”
Fixed!
I wonder why they didn’t incorporate some of the new routes…?
Hi Eric, do you know if Zwift will use double draft for TdZ? If so I might be able to improve my time up the Alp (with a few seconds) 😀
So having not done this before there will be multiple group rides scheduled for each stage? Or each stage is a loop of a standard ‘course (yes saw long/short (and women only) options.but people will make a bunch of group rides on those courses on those days to join? And can we do it on our own random time if can’t do some group time? Finally, I know I won’t be able to rise say foe a week in there somewhere. I’m still fuzzy on the ‘have to use group rif and if nothing why not ‘do these 8 stages… Read more »
Am I the only one having a problem to sign up four the Tour de Zwift? It says: “Currently unavailable”
Same for me cannot register
Samsies still…stage 2+ are visible, while Stage 1 still says “currently unavailable.” Checking in daily to see how this resolves…and hoping it does!
Sorry, but this tour leaves me underwhelmed – a set of courses that I have ridden many many times. Zwift has a lot to offer newbies, but I’m at level 42 and it really doesn’t develop fast enough. A few kms of road recently- Mayan bridge especially is beautiful, but what is there to look forward to? I suggest new routes should open up every, say, five levels, and a new world every 10. That would keep me motivated. I have also accumulated over 7million drops, but what is the point of them once you have the Tron bike, best… Read more »
Maybe it helps to concentrate more on having a good workout than on riding on new roads? (Although I probably cannot real understand your frustration because I’m at level 16..). From the perspective as a app programmer it annoys me a lot that Zwift pushes as much users as possible on the same roads by not allowing to choose from all worlds, not open new routes faster, not giving an easy option to change worlds. Of course it’s nice to see others riders, but in my opinion users could benefit so much more with little changes to the game. Nevertheless,… Read more »
I’ve been around since the Beta test and long ago maxed out my levels. I’m tired of Zwift…But, I have to ask. What alternative is there to Zwift? I’ve tried some of the other programs and they are just poor.
Did you try Fulgaz? I hated Tacx, Roovy, BKool, etc. But Fulgaz is pretty awesome…
Cadesport? See https://www.cadesport.com/.
hi, im new to this and loving what I have achieved so far. For this 8 stage event (stupid question time) do you pick just one ride per stage or multiple rides per stage. I mean at the end you would have cpmpleted 8 rides
Yeah, just pick one (or more) event(s) per stage. As long as you complete at least one event from each stage, you’ll have completed the Tour.
Do we get one entry to win the real le col bike at the completion of the tour, or do we earn multiple entries with each additional route we complete?
It’s not entirely clear from the T&C’s (https://lecol.cc/pages/zwift-t-c-s) but it looks to me like once you complete one stage, you get one entry – and that’s all you’ll get.
thank you Eric.
Just completed a stage. No coupon code in email. Were we supposed to fill something out first? Or do we get the discount when we finish _all_ stages?
No Bologna?
New to Zwift and first time on the Tour de Zwift. For each course listed above, is it only one lap? (One Ven-Top will be enough though 😉 ) For example, the Greater London Flat is only 11.6 km (+ 5.7 km lead-in) so it’s not very long for the longer course… Maybe I’m missing something?
It will tell you in the Companion App how many laps and total distance for the ride.
Do i need to register? I’ve already added my first ride in the Companion event calender.
Can I late join a TdZ stage?
Can you earn route badges for completing TDZ stages? Can you use steering on any of the stages/routes?
They’re all “no steering” events. You will earn route badges for all “non-event” routes you ride, which I THINK is every route in the tour.
Do you know if these are all one pace or different paces within each group ride? A grade of 1 to 5 w/kg is wide.
It’s whatever pace you want to ride. When it says 1-5 that’s Zwift’s way of saying “choose your own pace.” With thousands at each event, there’s always someone riding at whatever pace you’d like…
Cool. Thanks for the super quick reply.
Can you join any of the events a few minutes late and still be able to start at the beginning and get your full miles in ?
No, it will place you somewhere with the group, wherever they are on course.
You can join the event early and just not start with everyone else though. I have started many events “on time”, but didn’t start actually peddling for up to an hour or so later as I deal with putting kids down/cleaning kitchen first. You end up riding solo, but get credit for the ride.
Hello Eric
Is possible to do a zwift planned workout and a stage of TdZ at the same time
No. You can’t do a Zwift workout in a Zwift event, unless it’s an official group workout event.
By the way, if folks, like me, didn’t receive an email from Zwift nor Le Col after completing a stage, this is the URL to get the discount and enter the contest: https://lecol.cc/pages/en-us-zwift-challenge-en-us-tour-de-zwift-mission
Any further news on when we unlock the gear?
Can you do a custom workout or a Zwift workout in ERG while completing a TDZ stage?
I’m afraid you can’t Roy.
If you just connect your power input into Zwift. You could use something else to control the trainer, like a garmin head unit that has a workout on it. But others are correct you can’t do a workout through Zwift itself.
what kit do we have to put one from the garage so we get the TDZ kit in the line-up???
Everyone automatically gets the TdZ kit while participating in the events.
Hi, Got nothing yet, did short, standard and longer ride of stage 1. 🙁 But i got an haut alpe jersey on an haute alpe event 😉
Sorry, my fault, a haute route jersey…
Too many flat routes in group A.
Any route details for the Running Routes?
For stage 2, it looks like the standard, shorter and shortest route don’t make sense especially with the b and c. Do you know roughly how long each would take
That’s pretty much what I was just thinking. The short route is actually longer than the standard route with a very similar amount of climbing.
I agree – seems really weird having b and c rides so similar. Distances on the ‘map’ part next to sign up don’t agree with the distance in the text at the top either…feels like a lack of attention to detail from Zwift, but given a lot of new riders will try it this way, seems odd that they haven’t paid more attention to this.
Hello, I finished the first step and received Zwift confirmation email, but my sticker is not validated on the application. Have you the information about this bug?
Thanks
How can you find out which route is running at a specific time? For both Stage 1 and 2 I ended up in a different ride than what I signed up for.
My guess is that you may have inadvertently signed up for the wrong event. When you select the event (certainly in Zwift Companion), there’s a separate “+” button for each of the four options, A-D. If you just automatically click the first + you see on opening the ride you’ll always get the A version, so if that’s not what you want you need to scroll down before selecting.
For Stage 1 I selected Group A and ended up in the Group D ride. For Stage 2 I selected Group C and ended up in the Group A ride. I selected Group C for Stage 3 and I hope it works since any of the other rides will kill me!
Hi Eric, Do you by any chance know when Zwift will issue the email with the discount code for the Le Col jersey (IRL) as have done 2 stages at this point and no email received as yet? Thanks very much
When do you receive the email with £50 off for Le Col? I’ve completed 2 stages and so far no email.
Sorry for asking, just realized Conor had asked the same question. Doh!
Working on badge/courses safe that Stage 3 road to the sky is full course (I’m learning from you about “must include lead in” etc…I know the “A” stage doesn’t. Thanks!
I joined the 3rd stage today on ride to the sky. I had a technical error and zwift crashed. I restarted and got the option to join now. Even though I completed the stage zwifpower does not show my completed ride and I do not get the tick in the box when logging in.
Is it possible to find your finishing position after the stage has been ride ?
thank you
Anyone unlock anything yet?
when riding on my Wattbike atom on the tour de zwift scenic route today the gears are changing automatically is that normal? I am doing group A my ftp is 247