When does the Zwift Academy start and finish?
The Qualifying period begins on August 5, 2019, 12:01am PST and ends on September 29th, 2019, 11:59pm PST. The Semi-Finals run from October 14 – 27, 2019.
The Finals for Team Dimension Data Zwift Academy will be held in mid-November at the Team Dimension Data training camp. The Finals for CANYON//SRAM Racing Zwift Academy will be held early/mid-December at the CANYON//SRAM Racing training camp.
What do I need to do to graduate Zwift Academy?
To graduate the Academy, complete the program’s 8 structured workouts and 4 additional events, which can be 4 Zwift Academy group rides, 4 Zwift Academy races or any combination of them both that equals 4 events between August 5th and September 29th. You’ll find the workouts in a folder called ‘Zwift Academy 2019’ on your workout menu screen. Group rides and races must specifically be designated ‘Zwift Academy’ to count towards your graduation.
Should I take an FTP test before starting the Academy?
We recommend that you start the Academy with an accurate FTP (Functional Threshold Power) number to ensure the best results from your structured training. To find your FTP, we recommend that you try the Zwift Ramp Test. The test involves a warmup and then approximately 4-8 minutes of effort and will automatically set your FTP in Zwift. Make sure you are rested before completing the test for best results.
What is the last day to sign up?
Registration for the Academy closes on September 1, 2019, by 11:59pm PST.
How do I unlock rewards in the Academy?
You will automatically unlock rewards as you progress through the Academy. At the milestones: 25%, 50%, 75% and 100%, you’ll receive notification of your reward. With 12 total events (8 workouts, 4 group rides or races), you’ll unlock a reward after each 3 you complete of any combination.
If I’m not going for the contract, do I need to open a Today’s Plan account?
You are not required to join Today’s Plan, but we highly recommend you sign up for the complimentary account for a complete Zwift Academy experience. All riders are offered free premium access to Today’s Plan for the duration of the Academy. In addition to getting Today’s Plan full suite of tools and analytics, a new feature, unique to Zwift Academy, lets you see how you stack up against your age group, and the overall competition.
What if I go on holiday during Zwift Academy?
All sessions must be completed by September 29, 2019, 11:59pm PST. If you have a holiday booked then you will need to structure your training in order to complete the sessions before the deadline date. We recommend that you leave at least 48 hours between each session and aim to complete two sessions a week. Also, have a great holiday, and take pictures to make everyone jealous.
When do I have to complete the qualifying events?
All events must be completed by September 29, 2019, 11:59pm PST. The workouts can be completed at any time during the day on your own or you can choose to join group workouts. There will be a full schedule of group rides, group workouts and races that you can choose from. We recommend that you leave at least 48 hours between each workout or race and aim to complete two events/week.
In what order should the workouts be completed?
The workouts can be completed in any order but we recommend you follow the order as prescribed by the coaches for optimal progression. This is the order that the workouts are listed within Zwift.
Can I do both group workouts and individual workouts?
Yes. The workouts will be available at your convenience to do individually from the workout menu, or by joining a scheduled Zwift Academy group workout.
Can I do a men’s Zwift Academy ride if I am a woman, or vice-versa?
No. If you are registered for the CANYON//SRAM Racing Zwift Academy, you will only receive credit for group workouts, group rides and races associated with that particular Academy to get credit. The same applies for Team Dimension Data Zwift Academy rides. The events will be clearly distinguishable.
Can I repeat a workout or race?
Yes, the workouts or races can be repeated until the closing date of 29th September 2019. Your best results from each of the completed Zwift sessions will be used in the analysis.
What happens if I’m ill, injured or have racing commitments?
You need to take a sensible approach with the sessions if you are ill or injured. The first important rule is don’t worry if you need to take a training break! You will not lose your fitness and conditioning by having a few days off the bike. The second rule is don’t try to overcompensate and make up for the missed sessions. When you are back on the bike, stick to your session structure and don’t try to make up the extra time you were off the bike. By doing so, you will likely over-fatigue yourself, and you won’t be able to hit the upcoming sessions at the desired intensity. Certain sessions will need you to take an easy 48 hours beforehand. We will advise you of these in advance so you can factor them into your existing training/racing.
What if I already have a training plan/coach?
The workouts have been specifically designed for the Zwift Academy to inspire and motivate you as a rider. The 8 workouts can be incorporated into your usual training plan. Certain workouts will need you to take an easy 48 hours beforehand. We will advise you of these in advance so you can factor them into your existing training/racing.
What percentage of a workout do I need to complete to get credit? Do I have to get all the stars?
You must complete 75% of a Zwift Academy workout to receive credit towards graduation. While you should aim to get as many stars as possible, these do not factor into completion credit.
Can I skip blocks of a workout?
You can only skip up to 25% of a workout to receive credit towards completion of that workout.
What races qualify for Zwift Academy credit?
There will be specific Zwift Academy designated races. They will be clearly marked as such. As soon as the schedule is available, we’ll email it out.
If I don’t make the Semi-Finals, can I still do the workouts?
Yes, the series of Semi-Final workouts will be made available to everyone in the workout menu on Oct. 14, 2019.
What do I need to do to compete for the CANYON//SRAM Racing pro contract?
In order to be eligible to compete for the pro contract, you must use a smart trainer or power meter and a heart rate monitor for all your workouts and races in the Academy. You are required to enroll with a Today’s Plan account. If you are in contention, you may be asked to share your Strava activity to correlate outdoor ride data with indoor ride data. You must be 18 y/o by August 5, 2019. You cannot have held a World Tour license or raced on a World Tour team previously.
What do I need to do to compete for the Team Dimension Data U23 pro contract?
In order to be eligible to compete for the U23 pro contract, you must be a male aged 18-21 by December 31, 2019. You are required to use a smart trainer or power meter and a heart rate monitor for all your workouts and races in the Academy. You are required to enroll with a Today’s Plan account and link it to your Zwift account. If you are in contention for the contract, you may be asked to share your Strava activity to correlate outdoor ride data with indoor ride data. You cannot have held a World Tour license or raced on a World Tour team previously.
Do I need to record my weight?
Yes. If you are competing for the pro contract, you will need to accurately record your weight in Zwift and Today’s Plan at the start of the Academy. You will need to log your weight in Today’s Plan every week throughout the qualification program.
How are the 10 Semi-Finalists selected?
To be eligible to advance as one of the top 10 performing Semi-Finalists, you will need to ensure that you have completed all 8 prescribed workouts, and completed 4 group rides or races within the qualification period. In addition, you will need to accurately weigh yourself prior to the start of the Academy and weekly. This information will then need to be uploaded via your Today’s Plan account.
The top 10 riders will then be selected by a panel from CANYON//SRAM Racing or Team Dimension Data management, Coaches Kevin Poulton and Elliot Lipski, and Zwift to progress to the Semi-Finals.
The coaches at Zwift Academy will be collecting data from your workouts and races to evaluate your performance. Your data is plotted in a Power Duration curve where we can accurately assess your strengths. In this case, the Power Duration curve covers all durations from peak 5 sec power through to 1 hour power.
We don’t expect riders to be strong in every area of the Power Duration curve. This is your chance to show us where you perform best. You might be a sprinter with a very high 5-10 sec power. You might be a climber with a very good 5-20 min power. Or you might be the all-rounder who is very good in the range of 1-4 min.
But it’s not just peak power we are looking for. In the workouts and Zwift racing, we will also be looking at your ability to repeat high intensity efforts. The planned Zwift Academy workouts will give you the opportunity to work on all of these areas in your Power Duration curve. So do your best in each workout and feel free to complete each workout as many time as you like to record your best performance.
How do I upload my completed rides?
Once you have enrolled to the Zwift Academy your completed Zwift rides will be automatically loaded for you into your Zwift dashboard and your Today’s Plan account (if you have one and have linked your account to Zwift) to review.
How do I upload my weight to Today’s Plan?
To record your weight in your Today’s Plan account, click the + symbol on your calendar and select ‘Record body metrics’. To be eligible for the Semi-Finals, you will need to record your weight prior to the competition and at least one time per week throughout the qualifying program.
What if I have a question for Today’s Plan? ?
Please refer to the help function in Today’s Plan. This can be found in the top right-hand corner, displayed a “?” symbol or email support@todaysplan.com.au
What if I have questions for Zwift?
We’re here for you! If you have a technical question, contact us at Zwift.com. If you have a general Zwift Academy question, email academy@zwift.com.