Zwift, the global online training and racing platform for athletes, has partnered with Haute Route to host the Virtual Haute Route Ventoux, ‘allowing Zwifters worldwide to participate from the comfort of their homes.’
The Virtual Haute Route Ventoux will be a test of endurance and strength over the 3-day event – starting on Friday 18 September in the France map. A general classification using ZwiftPower will allow entrants to track their performance across all three stages.
For those riding in the real world Haute Route Ventoux just two weeks after the virtual event, the virtual event will also be a final test of fitness.
“I’m thrilled Haute Route is returning to Zwift; Haute Route Watopia was an excellent challenge,” said Zwift CEO and Co-Founder, Eric Min. “I’m looking forward to testing my legs again in the Virtual Haute Route Ventoux as we tackle the hardest routes in the new France map.”
“Haute Route has developed a world-renowned reputation for delivering the most challenging events and the Virtual Haute Route Ventoux is no exception,” said Haute Route CEO Julie Royer.
“The virtual event will allow more people from around the world to experience the thrill of an Haute Route event and great final training for the participants of the real life Haute Route Ventoux.”
Held over three days, Zwifters will have to complete three challenging stages back to back.
- Stage 1 takes place on the Petit Boucle, a 61km route that includes the Petit KOM and 430m of climbing.
- For Stage 2, entrants will face Ven-Top. A gruelling virtual climb of 1534m over 20.9km – this is the in-game version of the world-famous climb, Mont Ventoux. ‘A stage for the climbers, with an average gradient of 8% over the 19km Ventoux KQOM.’
- The third and final stage of the Virtual Haute Route Ventoux takes Zwifters up Mont Ventoux to Chalet Reynard. The climbing begins with the Petit KQOM and continues until the KQOM banner at Chalet Reynard. The route is a total of 22.8km with 1181m of climbing and will challenge tired legs.
In true Haute Route style, this is designed to be a testing stage event. Each stage will be run across multiple time zones to make Virtual Haute Route Ventoux a global stage event. However, it remains a stand-alone challenge event, so there will be no make up days. Stages must be completed back to back on three consecutive days.
Zwifters who complete any stage will unlock the exclusive virtual Haute Route finishers kit by Le Col to wear in-game. In addition, finishers of all three stages will be entered into a prize draw to win an entry to a 3-day European Haute Route event and other prizes.
www.zwift.com
www.hauteroute.org/events/overview/virtual-ventoux
