The first points race of Zwift Racing League Season 3 has arrived, and it’s one for the sprinters! We’ll be riding 3 laps of Beach Island Loop, a newish route introduced in December 2020. Let’s dig into the course, including some tips for bike choice and key selection areas.
Looking at the Route: Beach Island Loop
Beach Island Loop is nearly identical to Volcano Flat Reverse, a route most racers will be very familiar with. But there is one crucial change, and that is going to make all the difference!
On Volcano Flat reverse, we hit the twisty dirt climb up to the Italian Villas, then turn right at the fountain to go past the noisy waterfall. On Beach Island Loop, we hit the dirt climb, but turn left to ride through the Villas and onto the Watopia Forward Sprint. This sprint point is the intermediate for our race, so teams will be working to earn those precious first across the line (FAL) and fastest through segment (FTS) points on each lap.
This would be a pure sprinters race, except the sprint comes just seconds after riders will be attacking hard up the dirt climb. Look at the profile from ZwiftHub below, and notice the short climb just before the sprint:
It’s what we call the “Dirty Sorpresa”: 570 meters of slow-rolling dirt on a snaking incline up to the Villas:
Dave’s Route Notes
Sherpa Dave has put together a race recon video, which you can watch below. And he put together some helpful notes, which you can also find below.
For me, every meter of a points race breaks into one of two decisions: am I trying to hold on to the group, or can I make a breakaway? In this race there are a few areas where a break becomes possible (or handling someone else’s break is necessary).
I marked up the Veloviewer map with some key points (orange text for break opportunities or break threats, black for landmarks, and red for the sprint):
- Hill out of the start/finish: Small hill (400m) at around 3%. Not really much of an opportunity to gain a strategic advantage but someone will have a go. It “summits” as you go through the little tunnel.
- Gravel section up to the Italian Village: Flat 300m then winds up the hill… all on gravel. This is where the Steamroller comes in handy. Effective use of that powerup will set you up for FAL points on the sprint which comes just a little down the line.
- Sprint: If you’re in the lead group, go for FAL points, if you’re not… fear not, you can go for FTS.
- After sprint break: Everyone is gassed after the sprint… can you make a break on this short rise?
- Up and out of the tunnels: The section up out of the tunnels and around to the start gate always causes breaks in my experience… that’ll happen every lap but definitely on the last lap.
Rick’s Route Recon
Here’s a recon video from Rick over at No Breakaways:
Powerful Powerups
PowerUps will play a crucial roll in this race. Riders will be awarded powerups through the start/finish banner as well as the sprint banner, meaning we’ll get 6 powerups in the course of the three laps. Three powerups will be given in this race:
Aero Boost (helmet): makes you more aerodynamic (reduces your CdA by 25%) for 15 seconds.
Draft Boost (van): increases the draft effect you are experiencing by 50% for 30 seconds. In a double draft event, this powerup will give you 3x the standard draft effect.
Steamroller: reduces Crr for 30 seconds so you roll as fast as a road tire on pavement regardless of wheels or road surface.
The steamroller is a widely-misunderstood powerup (see “Misused Powerups: The Steamroller” for details), but let’s just say it will prove very useful on the Dirt Sorpressa. Riders will use it to help them attack early on the sprint, or (more likely) to help them conserve energy on the climb so they’ve got a little more left for the sprint just down the road.
Bike Frame + Wheel Choices
Frame and wheelset selection for this route is straightforward enough: go aero. Read “Fastest Bike Frames and Wheels at Each Zwift Level” if you’re not sure what your fastest available option is.
If you’re at level 45+, you have access to the fastest combo in game: the Specialized Venge S-Works + Zipp 858/Super9 wheels.
Strategic Options
This is a points race, so everything comes down to the sprint on each lap, as well as the finish. All the miles in between are just the setup.
Riders have a few options on the sprint:
- Go early, attacking off the front on the dirt climb then trying to stay away to the line. This will earn FAL points, and require a super-strong 90-120 second effort. Steamroller powerup holders will be attracted to this approach.
- Conserve on the climb, attack on the sprint: this may earn FTS points, and even FAL points, if early attackers don’t stay away. Helmet and Van powerups holders may tend toward this approach.
- Survival: if you aren’t strong enough to contest the sprint, but you’re trying to maximize your finishing points, you’ll want to conserve as much as possible on the Dirt Sorpressa and through the sprint, while maintaining good pack position.
Of course, this is a team race. Smart teams will use a mix of the above strategies to maximize results. Example: got a rider with strong 1-2 minute power and a steamroller? Send them off the front at the bottom of the Sorpressa, and let your pure sprinters sit in with their aero powerups to contest FTS times.
The finish here offers strategic options as well, and always becomes both a mental and physical slugfest. Do you attack early on the climb up from the underwater tunnel? Sit in and conserve until the last second? Execute team tactics, perhaps for a strong leadout effort?
It may be a flat route, but it’s far from straightforward. Good luck out there!
Your Thoughts
Any insights or further thoughts on the big race? Share below!
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