KISS Super League: Men’s Week Five

The action ramped up in Stage Five of the men’s KISS SUPER LEAGUE, with Richmond’s three punishing hills splintering the peloton.

 

• Tough climbs made the selection on the first lap
• Alex West takes the Zwift Academy Dream Team’s first stage win
• Madison Genesis finishes high and pulls out the overall lead

 

Missed this week’s race? Watch it below, read the recap and check the results.

 

Stage Five – Richmond 2015 UCI Worlds

This week, riders raced on a replica of the UCI Road World Championships course in Richmond, Virginia. They rode two laps, each one starting flat and fast and ending in a series of 3 climbs that give little chance for recovery.

The first of these is Libby Hill, which is 630 meters with an average 6.2% grade. Almost immediately after that—another climb with 260 meters but an average grade of 10.2%. Top racers often hit this with a full sprint. Finally, after a short break, a 1-kilometer climb at an average of 5% leads right into a false flat finish.

 

Race Highlights

The racers stuck together for most of the first lap, which featured a couple of intermediate sprints. Riders could win points in the sprint competition by being among the first across the line. New this week was a King of the Mountains (KOM) competition, which awarded points at the top of Libby Hill and 23rd Street.

Lionel Vujasin (Zwift All Stars) clearly targeted both of these contests and fought for them hard. He crossed the line first in most of the sprints and KOM climbs. He used PowerUps frequently – a risk that could leave him without one at a crucial moment.

The peloton hit the hills hard and fast on the first lap, stretching the group out as racers struggled to hang on. By the time the leaders climbed up Governor Street and started the second lap, their group only had 14 racers left.

 

The Selection Is Made

Madison Genesis had the advantage in numbers. They were the only team with four riders up front. The Zwift All Stars had three, and the Zwift Academy Dream Team and Team Wiggins – Le Col each had two.

After the intermediate sprints caused some surges, the gap to the chasers grew to about 40 seconds, and leaders began to ease up just a little. They knew a tough finale was ahead. But a couple of racers weren’t content to wait for the hills.

Ben Healy (Madison Genesis) unexpectedly rocketed off the front with an aero PowerUp. Mathieu Drujon (Zwift All Stars) reacted quickly and bridged to him, and the pair gained 7 seconds as they rode along the James River. The bunch brought them back, though, just before the climbs began.

The Libby Hill climb proved too much for Healy after his breakaway effort, and he dropped off the back. The leaders climbed the 23rd Street hill at a furious pace but got through it together. Vujasin led them over the top, with Jon Mould (Madison Genesis) close behind.

 

Chaos at the Finish

The racers got a very short rest before reaching the second and last climb up Governor Street. Madison Genesis and the Zwift Academy Dream Team both put on pressure, but the group stayed together. The race would be decided in a reduced bunch sprint.

Or would it?

With 500 meters to go, Connor Brown (Dimension Data U23) went early, using an aero helmet PowerUp to get clear from the group. It looked like no one could hold his wheel! But Timothy Torrie (Vitus Pro Cycling) and Ian Bibby (Madison Genesis) were getting close. Suddenly, West shot around all of them with 100 meters to go, using his own aero helmet PowerUp for a speed boost. He sprinted across the line for his first win of the league – and the first win for the Zwift Academy Dream Team.

Madison Genesis finished in second and third and kept all four of their riders in the front group. They’ve pulled even further ahead in the team standings as a result.

Stage Five Team Podium

1. Madison Genesis (52 points)
2. Zwift Academy Dream Team (41 points)
3. Zwift All Stars (26 points)

 

Racer Reactions

“We knew Madison (Genesis) would push the pace up the final climb so staying in good position was key to be able to react to any moves in the final straight,” West said after the race. “Connor Brown started sprinting really early and took us all off guard.”

When he saw other strong sprinters like Mould and Bibby reacting, he knew it was now or never.

“I am absolutely stoked with the win, Richmond is my favorite course,” West said. “Our team is coming along nicely and each week we are closing in on the 2nd place of the All Stars. We are coming for them!”

 

 

Watch the Race

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhKvFoqeEXk

 

Next Week: Stage Six

Can the Zwift community teams unseat Madison Genesis? Tune in live next Wednesday to see what happens next!

 

Men’s KISS Super League: Every Wednesday at 11 am PST. From Jan 23rd to Mar 27th.

Women’s KISS Super League: Every Tuesday at 11 am PST. From Feb 19th to Apr 9th.

For weekly schedule, routes and standings, please visit Zwift.com/KISSRacing.