Name: Gabriela Guerra
Hometown: Curitiba, Brazil
How did you get into cycling? First it was only to get around the city when I lived in Munich, Germany and as a recovery and fitness tool alongside other sports. Later in Brazil, I started mountain biking (gravel style) and shortly after that discovered virtual cycling. Only after getting married and moving to the States did I take on structured training and being a “cycling athlete” thanks to my husband and coach Nathan Guerra, that also helped me out of RED-S that I developed before that.
How many years have you been racing on Zwift? 2.
Are you part of a Virtual team? Yes, this season I am with awesome people in Wahoo Esports.
What do you love most about racing? The challenge to push myself hard with others with the motivation to win and to put into practice the hard training.
What is your favourite style of race (e.g. points, scratch, iTT, TTT, Chase, duathlon) Scratch is my main go to, but I also enjoy points races, short back-to-back races such as Tiny Races and TTTs are always fun.
What is your favourite Zwift women’s race series? The current World Series is the most motivating and challenging with a packed field and therefore my favorite (even though not a women’s only series but each field is separate so I guess this counts 😊). But to mention some racing earlier this year I enjoyed was Tour de Boudica, Echelon Racing league, and last summer’s (2023) Women’s Racing Series.
What is your most memorable racing experience, inside or outside or BOTH? Last summer (2023), I completed my first full mountain bike season across Wisconsin, where I became State Champion in the series and placed 4th at the Chequamegon40 festival, racing against some of the biggest names in the country. It was a season filled with challenges, learning, and great moments shared with family and friends.
This year (2024), I raced Chequamegon again, finishing 4th, which was my only mountain bike race of the year so far. The field was stacked with top riders, including Olympian Savilia Blunk.
Also this year, I took on road racing for the first time. I upgraded from category 3 to 1 in just 2 months, winning several local races and the iconic Snake Alley crit. I was thrilled to take the overall category 2 title at the 11-day Tour of America’s Dairyland, where I quickly adapted to racing in fast, large packs against experienced pros. It was an intense learning experience, and I even had the chance to meet and race fellow Zwifters Arielle Verharren and Kristina Grossman!
What is your favourite food to eat post race? Steak, always steak. But since carbs are a must, then add sweet or regular potatoes with some goat cheese and mushrooms please. 😊
What advice would you give to a woman entering her first Zwift race? Don’t be afraid! Don’t be afraid to try, don’t be afraid to fail, don’t be afraid to push, don’t be afraid to hurt, don’t be afraid to discover your power, don’t be afraid to lose or even win! Racing is a challenge that at any level will make you grow and learn.
Any upcoming race you are looking forward to? Zwift World Series kicked off and I am excited for the next races! Also the finals of the World Championship if virtual cycling in Abu Dhabi! Maybe I will race the “Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge”, a mountainbike race in November.
Where can people follow your racing adventures? You can watch me training and racing LIVE! Just give me a follow in Twitch.tv @gabriela9guerra and you’ll get notified whenever I go live. I’ve been sharing my journey on Instagram @gabriela9guerra and if you want to see some real adventures I did before cycling (hiking, motorbiking, paragliding, biketraveling) and skateboarding, head over to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@Gabriela9Guerra
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