That was a complicated front group...handicaps all over the place, sticking together all round the lap, @paino really bossed the points tonight, @benman's form was a mystery (although he bridged a gap on lap 2 very easily), @djflexure rode really aggressively and it looked like it was paying off when he ground out a 5 second gap early in lap 4 and stayed out there a while. In the end @benman dictated how the finish played out with a searing attack up the drag which broke the group up. I'm not sure a harder last 3 or 4 minutes could have been crafted. @yanboss you'll get some points for your "confused" sprint I think.
Thanks for everyone for taking part in the series! Good to see some people back who have been ill as well!
The results are provisional in case I have made any mistakes. Please let me know.
Race 1 - Lutece Express
Overall Race Winner
1. savoyad
2. paino
3. djflexure
Overall Race Winner (with handicaps)
1. Paul-S
2. msjhes2
3. benman
Sprint Points (Reverse Lutece Sprint)
1. paino
2. straightliner
3. Savoyad
4. andeh
5. yanboss
Green Jersey Standings
1. paino
2. straightliner
3. Savoyad
Series Top 3 (including sprint/fastest lap points) Best 6 race points counts
1. Paul-S
2. msjhes2
3. benman
After a summer of road riding, I only set Zwift back up this week. I had no idea how tonight was gonna go, after a terrible ramp test at the weekend.
A flat race doesn't really play to my strengths, so I knew the only chance I had was to try and break on an incline and grind it out. Didn't work! Good race though chaps.
Garg! One of those races where you think you’ve done ok in the sprint but everyone ahead of you has already finished the race and dropped off the leaderboard!
Double garg!
Do we do FTP decreases, I reset before race knowing that I have lost some power over the course of the summer, due hardly any time on bike.
Zwift came back with 180w at the end of the race, down from 215w early in the year.
EDIT: That was a killer of race to start off with, but total enjoyment!
That was a good race nice group of 5 including gigs master and ogg sorry can’t remember all the names we then caught Kirky and the group split with just me ogg and kirky for the last lap and then the sprint which was close Zwift had kirky and ogg at the same time.
cheers for organising Robbo.
I quite like that route, there's a bit of everything. I particularly like the opportunity to stand up on the climb every lap, to stretch things out a bit. Clung with the group I wanted to but rolled the dice and had a bash at the sprint on the last lap, thinking I wouldn't lose that much time if I dropped off the group in the 1km to the finish. If I'd have just stuck with the group I'd be 5 places higher! Gah, nevermind, so it goes.
Thanks Robbo!
Tough one. So very nearly got dropped on the 3rd lap after @djflexure @yanboss @benman and @phil56 booted it up the climb. Had @yanboss to help claw our way back into the group, massively surprised they allowed us back in!
Plan kind of worked… judged the fastest lap would be the first full lap so fell into the blob and gave the sprint a go, the 5 out front were a perfect distance away to get the gap, then managed to maintain a decent lead crossing the line for the KOM.
Some huge efforts from djflexure, but such a hard route to maintain any time gaps without any assistance. Thought he had it on the last lap when the lead went out to 6 seconds. Then @benman decided enough was enough and closed the gap in 3 seconds flat. Saw my HR over 180 up the last climb clinging on, then somehow, and I don’t quite know how, passed Phil and DJ for 2nd.
Great race though guys, thanks. Cheers Robbo!
After a long period of fairly faultless Zwifting, tonight was the night to be put in the pen facing the wrong way, I think 4th or 5th rejoin got me pointing the right way.
Managed to hang onto the third group for 3 laps, died, then hung on a bit longer, then died again, cramp coming, despite the encouragement to hang in.
Was waiting for the next train which was Kirky/Ogg/NeilArnold - but it was clear that train was not going to stop at my station, watching their power was going up to 5.5 then down to 0.8. Somehow managed a lap and a half on my lonesome as they rode me down, to just avoid being swamped on the line by the express approaching.
In theory, that is my best course, being witches *** flat, and I road about as well as I can, so disappointing to only get 6 points - does not bode well for any remaining hilly courses !.
Much enjoyment as always, cheers Robbo.
Booted it off the line but nobody wanted to play so went back to the group. Put in a few efforts to keep everyone working. Got a gap on last lap, hoped to split the group behind and go for a win but could see they had come back together so didn’t persist. Waited for the sprint. Didn’t get anywhere close to @Savoyad, neck and neck with @Paino and @Phil56 on the line. Photo finish. Enjoyed that! Thanks Robbo!
"Finally, J Nicol you sod, tagged on during lap 3 and thought it was the start of a beautiful relationship/duo to the finish but actually I just dragged him round to the sprint where he bolted."
Sorry buddy, I panicked after you caught me!! 🙂
Bloody hell! That was hard! Not the best prep as I had to move my whole set-up from the garage into the kitchen.
Then I went too hard at the start for too long hoping it would settle down and I could recover.
Got spat out of the back on the first proper time (lap 1, not lead-in) up the draggy hill.
I was then on my todd and getting more and more tired so I lifted a bit to recover and let a group catch me up (lol not sure I had much choice).
Rode with this group (DFee, PLiddington, Atkinson, freeridenick and A Mitchell). I was relieved to be in a group until the sprint when they all battered me 🤣
No companion app today (it wouldn't connect in game mode) so I wasn't able to message.
I forgot to add the fastest lap time points on as well. I will update the spreadsheet for the next couple of days but the order was:
1. Paino
2. Straightliner
3. Djflexure
4. Phil56
5. Yanboss
As for my race...I kept with the front group and in the last series I burnt myself out chasing down a couple of attacks. SO this time I let the attacks go hoping they would come back but...they didnt! Looking at the pace/power numbers on the front I would have been able to keep up I think at least for a couple more laps so a missed opportunity.
Each time on the climb I pushed hard but the group didnt really split until the last lap when a couple of people (light riders) got away but luckily we caught them again before the line and having the momentum managed to beat them to the line but was pipped by slowpuncheur by 0.3 seconds!
Good start to the series though! Decent time in the GC.
Double header next week. Yorkshire is really going to hurt and then followed by Watopia.
It will be the updated pack dynamics from what I understand next week (I think they are turning them on for all worlds today). Not sure what difference that will make but might be worth looking for a short race over the weekend to try it out.
feel that in my legs this morning. so fundamentally different to Mtb biking which I mainly do! that course does not suit me particularly, prefer proper climbs rather than slight uphills...
great little group we had once stumpy joined us.
freeridenick
great little group we had once stumpy joined us.
Ha! The group seemed to be doing fine without me to be honest!
I could see you reeling me in & had to make a decision whether to keep busting my balls & eventually be caught anyway with nothing left in the tank, or concede you were going to catch anyway and have a bit of a breather while you caught up - so I took that option!
I went off way too fast for too long at the start & suffered for the rest of the race.
Yeah, that course does not suit me at all. I don't have the power output to keep up on the flat. And once you all went for the sprint I could see the numbers on the screen & knew I was gonna be in trouble 🙂
That is a tough course to get a split on. One long draggy hill where drafting is a large benefit and one short ramp out the underpass. It's become something of a cliche at the TdF that breaks never stick (unless your Vinokurov on lots of gear) on the Champs Elise so I guess kudos to Zwift for simulating the route well.
As for my race...similar to Robbo but rather than think the break would come back, I just didn't have the legs to keep up. We worked well with @J-R, @mahowlett, @andeh, m varley and @robbo1234biking and tried to push the pace when I had the gas. It was a bit cat and mouse with a few digs up the hill but nothing really stuck til @mahowlett shot off like a scolded cat. The finish line must have caught a few out and it tightened up again at the end. Happy with 7th but much to do to improve on that. Kudos to @djflexure. You needed a minute and took 1.07 on me. Looking forward to something more lumpy though;)
that run-in and first lap was brutal. i decided to push as hard as i could to stay in one of the front groups. once the dust had settled i was in the third group on the road (i think) and we kept a solid pace throughout. Rode with Jimdubleyou, P.aul, Jenneson, Kennerley, PAtton and we reeled in Jordan. a couple of useful powerups allowed me to stay with the pack.
The final lap had an increased pace. i think everyone got excited the end wasnt far away. i managed to put one final effort in and beat Kennerley to the line by one second, which secured me 7th after handicaps. happy with that!
mildly scared of the upcoming races if that was the 'easiest' of the bunch..... 😀
Ha! The group seemed to be doing fine without me to be honest!
Once we joined you the pace increased slightly again, which is what broke me. I manned up for a km but then was too far in the red, and looking for the exit.
Haloric -> Ant Mitchell.
Did anyone start facing the wrong way, or did we all fix it in time?
What happens?
I would like to be added please Robbo - again Tuesday night is my normal club ride, but as we head into the worse weather it would be good to do these where I can.
Will do a check on FTP/Weight
great little group we had once stumpy joined us.
"Enjoyed" that race, wasn't putting down enough power when the clock hit Zero at the start so didn't get to stick with the front group at all. I normally try to hang on for 5 mins or so before I can't anymore.
Ended up in a good group with everyone taking pulls at the front (Stumpy, PLiddington, Atkinson, freeridenick, A Mitchell). After a few laps figured I was relatively strong on the climbs but knew I wouldn't be able to compete on the descent \ sprint for the line so held a feather, and "rested" a bit on the last lap. Went for it towards the end of the last climb and opened up a few seconds gap. Just about held for the finish line. Was looking at the power the lads behind were putting down in the final straight, I'd have been blown out of the water.
feed
After a few laps figured I was relatively strong on the climbs but knew I wouldn’t be able to compete on the descent \ sprint for the line so held a feather, and “rested” a bit on the last lap. Went for it towards the end of the last climb and opened up a few seconds gap.
That was a good strategy. As soon as I saw the feather I thought 'cheeky bugger' and knew you'd be gone. There was a bit of a surge within the group towards the top of the hill which spread us out - I think freeridenick put a burst in followed perhaps by PLiddington), but by the time we were heading downhill we were all back together.
I should have gone for a longer effort towards the line & held off the mob, rather than waiting for everyone else to go.
Did anyone start facing the wrong way, or did we all fix it in time?
Me.
What happens is - exactly what you expect. I shot off. In the wrong direction. At 500watts. And then it did the slow 'turn in the road' that it does if you press the u-turn button during normal riding.
I've never experienced it before, and as I was on a 4.5" phone screen, I didnt even realise till the actual countdown hit 0 and we started.
Is it a common bug/fault? What do I do about it in the future!
snotrag
Is it a common bug/fault? What do I do about it in the future!
Can't say I've ever heard anyone complain about it before.
I think a few people had the same problem (Ant Mitchell as well, perhaps?)
Are you absolutely sure you weren't sitting on the turbo backwards?! 🙂
i was facing the wrong way, but quit and then once i was back in i was heading the right way. i was going to leave it and assume it would spin round once going... clearly not!
EDIT: looks like its a new bug....
https://forums.zwift.com/t/started-race-facing-the-wrong-way/504377/2
Updated pack dynamics?
It's not a new bug, that is from 2020, I've only ever seen it quoted as happening in Paris though on various forums.
I rejoined several times (apple tv) and eventually was the right way around with a few seconds to spare, quite a frantic undertaking, despite entering the pen initially at 8 mins to launch.
PSA - give it at least 10 mins to get in the pen.
Glad that didn’t happen to me, I usually transfer to pen 30-60 secs before race start!
I started the wrong way round. Stayed that way hoping that Zwift would sort itself out when the race started, but alas not. Instead I was pulled round in a long arc and by the time I was facing the right way, you lot had put ten seconds into me and there was no chance of catching you. Got bored of riding on my own, so dropped out. Then I did a turbo calibration and discovered the resistance was too loose anyway, which might explain why I wasn’t catching anyone. And that was my first race attempt since COVID six weeks ago and I still have a tight chest, so maybe it was a good thing to drop out. See you next time.
OK so handicaps are live for for this weeks double header in Yorkshire and then over to Watopia.
Oh yeah! The pain of a double header!
Bring It! 🤣
I'll be entering both races this time, zwift permitting. I don't mind the Harrogate course, short enough laps. I'll need to pedal hard on the downhill to minimise my losses.
I'll try and do a lap of the watopia course to remind myself of the route before the race.
Is tomorrow 2 x races, or is one a time trial?
2 races tomorrow night. There isn’t a TT this series.
@robbo1234biking , looks like I might be able to get on tomorrow but not signed up at all
if you get the chance, please could you invite me ? (no worries on entering for points but if you need a set of numbers to let me in at all, 79kg & 275W should be pretty near)
well 5 days into a cold, i am suspecting tonight might be at a slightly lower effort.... hopefully i can pedal the snot outta me!
See y'all on the start line (hopefully facing the correct way!)
You only need to not blow your nose for 15 mins or so twice tonight and you should be good!
So 2 shorter (more intense races tonight). Duchy Estate which should break up quickly (and 3 times up the hill!) and then Watopia Flat.
It will be the new pack dynamics tonight. Not sure how it will affect it - for the TTT we seemed to be 7 abreast for a lot of the ride. Def seemed harder to stay in the draft as you didnt stick to he rider in front. I am sure it will be better - just used to get used to the new dynamics!
Def seemed harder to stay in the draft
This has blown my whole race plan apart 🙁
4 days of mountain biking including today ! Hope my legs survive!
Am I too late for early excuses ? My legs still have not recovered from the damage of the ttt on thurs, despite some Zwift pootling and a park run on Saturday, with all the power of wet noodles at the moment.
I shall wave encouragingly from the rear.
Whereas I havent touched a bike since falling off the side of mine at about 8.15 last Tuesday evening.... so does that put me in a better, or worse position!?
I'm looking forward to this one!
Prizes!
Yes you read that right - there will be prizes for this series. Thanks to STW for putting these up. The prizes will be awarded as follows:
1. Overall points winner from the series
2. Racers racer - this will be a vote/poll from the people taking part in the series. After Race 4 I will pick 4 racers who I think have lit up the races most. I will then do an online poll where you all get to vote for your favourite and then the winner will be announced on the evening of the final race.
3. Combined points total from KOM and Sprint points. This will be an all-rounder prize for the most points scored on a combined total from both points competitions.
I should be back next week! My new turbo has been in the void of ArrowXL for about 9 days now 🙁 I@ll probably drop 50 watts or something daft as per with a new device
I'm on course for no excuses to not race this evening. I'll need the hr warm up so hopefully there is a short route available for me to tick off prior to the start.
Dutchy estate course looks interesting. Dont think I've done it before. Miniversion of last weeks course with finish moved to top of the climb. Can I adjust my weight to 45kg please 🙂
