The ninth week of Zwift Racing League has arrived, making this the last scratch race of Season 1. This is another punchy course, similar to week 5’s Everything Bagel where the key climbs come early and extra points will go to those with the punch to make it over the climbs with the front group. Let’s dig into the course, including some tips for bike choice, strategy, and more…
Looking At the Route: Yorkshire’s 2019 UCI Worlds Harrogate Circuit
Here’s a route preview from Rick over at No Breakaways:
Route Breakdown
This route is never flat, and begins with one of the two key climbs right out of the gate:
Out of the start pens the road turns a hard right, and the first climb begins. The Otley Road climb is 1.8km long and averages just 3.1%. You can count on the first big selection of the race will be made here. With a rather low average gradient speeds will be high enough for drafting to play a significant role, so hold onto those wheels!
A few lumps and bumps brings us to the steepest descent on the route, down Pot Bank. Play this one right with momentum and/or powerups and you may be able to bridge up to riders ahead. Play it wrong and you’ll get dropped!
Then we climb up a bit from Pot Bank, descend down to the river, and begin the timed Yorkshire KOM. At 1.2km and 5.5% average grade this is a second key selection point for the race, and your first chance at intermediate points (which go to the first 5 across the line):
Descend from the KOM and turn a hard left onto Cornwall Road, AKA Millionaire’s Row. A short climb takes you to the first sprint intermediate of the route, then it’s a short descent before proceeding to a couple lumps and a quick climb back to the lap start/finish banner.
That’s one lap done. But you’ve got one more to go!
2019 UCI Worlds Harrogate Circuit segment on Strava
Bike Frame/Wheel Choices
Like other lumpy routes on Zwift, the Harrogate Circuit makes bike choice a bit challenging. The Tron bike and S-Works Venge+Super9 disc turn in the same lap times in our tests, but the Tron bike is faster up the climbs, while the Venge is faster on the descents/flats.
So which do you choose? Most will go with the Tron, so they have a slight advantage on the most challenging parts of the route.
If you don’t have the Tron bike, the Canyon Aeroad + DT Swiss ARC 62s is a good choice for low-level Zwifters. Or a slippery frame like the Cervelo S5 coupled with lighter (but still aero) wheels like the ENVE 7.8 or Zipp 858.
Strategic Options
There are 2 intermediates on the Harrogate Circuit, each awarding extra points for the first five over the line (5, 4, 3, 2, and 1 points). They come in this order (and we have two laps, so 4 total chances for intermediate points):
- Yorkshire K/QOM
- Yorkshire Sprint
Like the Everything Bagel race, this week is a tough one for the pure sprinters who want to chase intermediate points, as the first sprint is hidden behind two challenging punchy climbs. Make it over those climbs with the front pack and you can contest the sprint… but get dropped and you’ll miss out on any and all intermediate points.
Riders with high ~3-minute power to weight would be well-served to attack the climbs in order to thin the pack and drop sprinters. For those not going on the offensive, keep in mind the road gradient is constantly shifting! Keep your eyes open and watch for gaps, as those will be constantly forming.
With all the lumps, this is a good route for a smaller breakaway to get away, perhaps on the final KOM with just 5km left in the race.
Lastly, powerups: there will be five opportunities for a powerup on this route. Make sure you know how each powerup works, and use them wisely!
Your Thoughts
Care to share your thoughts about Tuesday’s big race? Comment below!