Zwift, the global online training platform, has announced a new weekly race series for professional triathletes – the Z PRO TRI Race Series. Expanding Zwift’s ongoing push into esports – triathlon and cycling fans can now watch some of the best triathletes compete head-to-head on the bike.
The new weekly race series is set to take place every Wednesday. With both long and short course athletes signed up to the series, Zwift adds that this will provide a unique opportunity to see them compete to see who is strongest on the bike.
The Z PRO TRI Race Series kicks off today, Wednesday 15 April, with a two-lap 23km race around the Astoria Line 8 circuit in Zwift’s New York. The women take to the start line first, starting at 16:00 CET, followed by the men’s race at 16:45 CET. Both races will be broadcast live via Zwift’s YouTube channel, with Matt Lieto and Sean Jefferson providing commentary.
“The best triathletes in the world are on Zwift, and while some of them have been getting their competitive fix taking on the road cyclists in Zwift, I’m excited to get to watch them race their peers on the platform for the first time,” said Eric Min, Zwift CEO & Co-Founder.
“It will be interesting to see how the rivalry between the long and short course athletes plays out. I’ve no doubt, there will be no holding back.”
A release from Zwift added that the races are open to the Zwift pro triathlete community, over 200 strong, and ‘we won’t know for sure until the start who will be joining the races.’
Rumoured to be starting will be Lionel Sanders, Tim Don, Marten Van Riel, Holly Lawrence, Lucy Charles-Barclay and Flora Duffy. Holly is a former 70.3 World Champion, Lucy a multi-time runner up at the IRONMAN World Championships in Kona and Flora a top contender for gold in Tokyo. Meanwhile, Lionel Sanders is fresh from his exhibition race win against some of the world’s best road cyclists and Zwift racers.
