Whether it's freezing cold winter afternoons, event cancellations due to the pandemic or simply the desire to compete with others - online races offer the perfect opportunity for this. Almost all virtual training platforms offer e-racing formats, including, for example, the digital offshoots of the Tour de Suisse and the Tour of Spain at RouvyStrade Bianche or the Amstel Gold Race on RGT and week-long hobby racing series on Bkool.
Zwift racing: The Racing Leagues
However, the largest portfolio of events to date is offered by the software Zwift with a sophisticated league system for eRacing teams, headed by an extremely ambitious scene with sponsors and prize money. However, racing on Zwift is also suitable for beginners, provided you choose the Event calendar of the Zwift Companion app the correct one of the four power categories (from D for beginners to A for professionals) sorted by wattage (watts per kilogramme FTP):
- A: 4.0 W/kg FTP or higher
- B: 3.2 W/kg to 4.0 w/kg FTP
- C: 2.5 w/kg to 3.2 w/kg FTP
- D: below 2.5 w/kg FTP
The 6 most important tips for e-racing on Zwift
Online racing is a world of its own. Here we give you the most important tips if you want to really let it rip in Zwift races.
1. register with Zwift-Power
To be listed in the ranking lists, active access (free of charge) to the community-managed website zwiftpower necessary. Here you will also find a complete list of all teams, drivers and events. Linking your own Zwift account with Zwift-Power works with a simple click via the settings (see screenshot).
To be listed in all results, you also need a Heart rate monitor. The constant recording of heart rate and power (via the power meter integrated in the Smarttrainer) should help to rule out manipulation.
2. be prepared: cooling and drinks
What applies to training is all the more true for maximum-stress races: the cooling breeze of a Fans and regular refuelling are essential in view of the enormous loss of sweat. Even for shorter races, it is best to fill both bottles on the bike, one with tap water and the other with a water bottle if necessary. electrolyte-containing drink. A gel can also be helpful, especially if the race lasts longer than an hour.
3. no race without a warm-up
As in real life, a hellish pace is set from the start of the race and the field of riders is usually split into several groups in the first five to ten minutes. Accordingly, you should not start the online race "cold", but warm up for 15-20 minutes beforehand, including short bursts of higher intensity.
4. the right race strategy for Zwift races
The play instinct of the Zwift developers also has an impact on the dynamics of the races: As with normal journeys through the Zwift universe, the player receives so-called power-ups when travelling through intermediate rankings, which can give them an enormous advantage. If you click on the colourful round buttons at the top of the screen, your avatar either becomes more aerodynamic, lighter, invisible or does not slipstream other drivers.
In combination with a good knowledge of the route, this can give you a big advantage over the competition. The right equipment also plays a role in Zwift: in the Drop Shop every user can invest the points they collect with every kilometre in frames and wheels that improve performance. Otherwise, the same applies as in real life: Just don't point your nose into the wind - the slipstream effect is also considerable in Zwift virtual worlds!
5. save energy thanks to the slipstream effect
The slipstream effect on Zwift differs from real slipstream conditions in one important respect: You don't have to pedal at a certain wattage to keep up with a faster rider in the slipstream, it is enough if your own power output fluctuates within a corridor. In concrete terms, this means that if the rider in front is pedalling at 300 watts, you can normally keep up with the rear wheel with around 250 watts of pedalling power. On Zwift, however, a slightly lower output is also sufficient, as the sticky effect of the slipstream allows you to ride on the rear wheel even at 225-230 watts. This is good for saving energy, but makes overtaking more difficult. To get out of the sticky effect, a considerable increase in power is required, around 400 watts in this example.
6. the perfect attack in Zwift races
If you have a lightweight power-up in your quiver and are travelling with light wheels, you will certainly attack on the mountain, but one terrain is even better suited to attacking: gravel tracks. Here, the resistance of the Smarttrainer is increased due to the rough surface, making it harder to ride. Another plus point for breakaways is the reduced visibility due to the swirling dust - if you ride at the back of the group into the gravel sector, you can hardly see who is attacking at the front. Unless you select the helicopter view with the F9 button and look over the peloton from above.
