Zwift has today lifted the lid on a number of new features launching on the platform this coming autumn/fall. The new features are focused on boosting engagement and giving Zwifters more reasons to get fitter on Zwift.
The virtual cycling platform added that… ‘Whether exploring new roads in Watopia, completing the Zwift Academy training program, or competing with friends in a gamified Crit City experience, there’s something new for every Zwifter.’
New roads in Watopia
Coming in October, Watopia, Zwift’s original virtual cycling world, is getting 19km of new virtual roads. This is the first Watopia expansion since 2019. The latest update adds a new coastal expressway that brings cyclists from Fuego Flats to the Mayan Jungle, bypassing the Epic KOM.
The new roads are flat and fast, and make several key connections, enabling Zwifters to enjoy some of the longest routes available in Watopia. There are eight new routes ranging up to 48km in length, allowing Zwifters to complete longer rides while taking in the virtual scenery in several distinct environments along Watopia’s coast.
Tour of Watopia
Coming on October 2, the 2023 Tour of Watopia has five stages. Zwifters can tackle each stage in a variety of ways: riding solo, joining a Club Ride, a MeetUp with friends, or via a Group Ride or Group Workout.
This year, Stage 5 will also give Zwifters a chance to experience the latest Watopia expansion. Registration for the virtual cycling event opens on September 25, 2023.
Climb Portal updates
When Zwift first opened the Climb Portal in July, it reportedly became one of the Zwift community’s favourite places to ride, with one-in-five Zwifters tackling gamified versions of real-world climbs, and 88% of all Zwifters who started a climb making it to the summit. This was no mean feat considering climbs have included virtual renditions of the Col du Tourmalet and Col d’Aspin.
Coming this autumn/fall, Zwifters will be able to scale the difficulty of the climbs they’re tackling. When entering the Climb Portal, Zwifters will be offered the choice to tackle a realistic replica of a climb, as they do today, or scale the climb to 50% or 75% of the original, allowing cyclists to choose a difficulty that matches their ambition and schedule.
Also starting this autumn/fall, the Climb Portal entrance located in Watopia will bring Zwifters to a rotating selection of climbs, offering more variety in the climbs available. The France portal, meanwhile, will feature a ‘climb of the month’, giving the Zwift community the chance to ascend virtual French climbs together.
Zwift Ride Series: Pretzelfest
Having got under way on September 4, the Zwift Ride Series has added Pretzelfest – with routes that aim to put Zwifters in the Oktoberfest spirit. The series consists of four stages between September 4 and October 1. Those who complete all four stages get to unlock a virtual Lederhosen kit, just in time for the real-world Oktoberfest, the German beer festival that dates back to 1887.
Zwift Companion App update: Workout Discovery
Coming in November, an update to the Zwift Companion App will make it easier to explore Zwift’s full library of workouts, before launching the Zwift app. Here, Zwifters can review all the workouts available and pick out those that fit fitness goals and time availability ahead of kickstarting their virtual riding session.
Zwift Academy
From November 6, Zwift Academy retuns to challenge cyclists to improve their fitness while competing for a chance to join a professional cycling team. This year’s academy challenges Zwifters to complete six workouts created by Dig Deep Coaching, as well as two Zwift races.
Zwifters can complete the program to earn the in-game Zwift Academy kit, an in-game Zwift Academy Canyon Aeroad paint job, and a chance to earn a pro contract with CANYON//SRAM or Alpecin-Deceuninck for the top-performing female and male.
Women’s Training Club
Live now, and aiming to help women on Zwift stay motivated, the Women’s Training Club invites women on Zwift to train as a community, take part in regularly scheduled group workouts and rides for training and recovery, all with guidance from leading female coaches.
The Women’s Training Club will host structured training designed by coaches such as three-time Olympic gold medallist Kristin Armstrong. A consistent weekly schedule of group workouts and recovery rides is available, while the club chat connects a women’s cycling community.
Zwift racing
In the autumn/fall season, Zwifters have two ways to race: Zwift Racing League will offer team racing on Tuesdays; while ZRacing delivers a new kind of race each month, giving Zwifters new ways to experience racing.
Zwift Racing Score
Coming in late November, the new Zwift Racing Score gives Zwifters a new yardstick to measure their progress while also providing an incentive to improve their Zwift racing skills as they get faster.
This new metric for Zwifters’ racing results takes several factors into consideration: power, race results, and Zwift skills. Those factors combine to rank Zwifters’ overall racing skill and help them find the most evenly-matched competition.
Zwift Racing Score will be updated after each race, and is determined by final finish position and field strength. The score becomes more accurate with more results.
According to Zwift… ‘Racing Score challenges you to race more and hone your racecraft; the more your race, the more accurate your score will be.’
The numerical scale of Zwift Racing Score aims to make it easier to pick the right event or group to race with. While not an outright replacement for Pace Group categories (A-D), scored races are expected to become popular as Zwifters see their Racing Score improve over time.
Play Beta: Crit City gamification
Coming this autumn/fall, the Zwift Play Beta experience continues to evolve with new steering experiments on Zwift. In the coming months, Zwift plans to unveil new ways to race on Zwift, making use of the Zwift Play’s steering and braking controls.
The Play Beta will reach Zwift’s Crit City world, where there are added boost pads and hazards to select events. In steering-enabled races, Zwifters will need to master their virtual bike handling skills to not only choose the best racing line as they navigate the full width of the road, and will also have to navigate their avatar through a maze of hazards.
Optimized for Zwift Play, Zwifters can enjoy gamified racing in Crit City with Zwift Play or any compatible steering device.
Play Beta: Repack Rush Multiplayer Mode
Also landing this autumn/fall, and part of the Play Beta, Repack Rush is billed as a completely new, experimental Zwift racing experience. Debuted this summer as a map for solo time trials, Zwifters can now experience Repack Rush Event Mode to test downhill speed and Zwift steering and braking skills against other riders in a multiplayer environment.
