Zwift Games Race | Best of the best in Cat B

2 місяці тому

Dont tell me tis wasnt the best Cat B riders out there all mostly in one race! Yes i know that there might be other riders who could have been part of this race to make it faster but for all intensive purposes, this Cat B race was a cream top end field and it showed. The Zwift Games are off with a Sprint race and it was honestly just awesome to be racing with this kind of quality riders. I absolutely loved (also kinda hated) it.
Have you done Race One for the Zwift Games? What did you think?
I know a lot of people are going to get category enforced by the end of all this... BRING IT ON!
@fourthfrontier
Heart Rate and ECG monitor: uk.fourthfrontier.com/product...
FFMAX - For 25% off
Find me on:
▶️ Instagram - / maxwilko
▶️ Strava - / strava
▶️ Zwift Power Profile - zwiftpower.com/profile.php?z=...

КОМЕНТАРІ: 76

@hoops202 2 місяці тому

Think you mean cameron jeffers dude, but i knew who you meant. Really wanted to join this one but changed internet provider today so was with internet at race time! D'oh! Enjoyed our sprint to the line on friday last week though .see you in the next one.

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Ah yes- I completely mixed up my Cams, apologies to Jeffers/Nichols. Amateur UKpostsr mistake. This race was a minute and a bit faster than Friday and just too hot on that last climb for me. You doing Race 2 this week?

@peymojo 2 місяці тому

Great stuff Max! No question lining up with the best brings out the best. Keep grinding.

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Keeps me coming back for more

@stevej_on_your_MTB 2 місяці тому

Hey Max, this was a real tough one, some of the strongest in the category and a huge field. Well done for staying with the front so long. Keep it up and you'll get there, it took me a year after moving up from cat C to be able to just about hold the front at primetime.

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

We have the same goal- I moved up in Sept so hoping some time soon I can hold a full on prime time front group

@spencerkm 2 місяці тому

Great job and progression, Max!

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Thank you Spencer

@RatherBeGolfing. 2 місяці тому

You've made crazy progress! Pushing major watts💪. I also cosign the out of the saddle climbing, for all the reasons you've highlighted. It's made me a different rider since I've implemented it.

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

It’s been great to progress to someone who can do it- initially though it was a real struggle and I still need to work on it to improve my strength out the saddle. I’m going to Mallorca in two weeks to do Sa Calobra so I need my practise now

@whielyex 2 місяці тому

Phenomenal race, well done!

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Thanks man

@craig3141 2 місяці тому

Well done! First time I’ve bumped into you in a race - though I was not up with the leaders for long!

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

A rolling race like that makes it so much more difficult, always next week to give it another go

@VeloViking 2 місяці тому

Great race again! As you said these prime time races really gets you to strive! It’s amazing with a turnout of 300+ B riders both on Friday and today 🙂

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

These Zwift Games are going to be so tough. Hopefully see you in a race for one of them- I’m thinking Friday evening maybe

@VeloViking 2 місяці тому

@@thewattlife I did Stage 2 today (Tuesday) and the plan was to do a pre race recon for a full on race later in the week, but I ended up with full on racing anyway 🙂 Managed to stay with the front group all the way to the finish, but didn’t have any sprint in me and ended up 3 seconds behind the winner. Had 3.8 w/kg average for the whole race and I’m quite happy with that 🙂

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

That’s great work. Still going to race tmrw/friday?

@VeloViking 2 місяці тому

I'll probably race again on Friday 🙂 @@thewattlife

@99cya Місяць тому

That was a superb performance. You are right to be proud 🎉❤

@thewattlife Місяць тому

Thank you

@99cya Місяць тому

do you mind a question? when you do a hard session, do you use stuff like maurten gels or drinks for getting carbs? im a bit torn regarding this question. on the one hand, a big effort on zwift is really taxing, on the other hand those products cost a ton. how do you do it?@@thewattlife

@thewattlife Місяць тому

@99cya For most races that are about 45 mins long i usually just take on water with lime cordial. But if there is a longer event like over and hour then ill have a gel next to me and i will put carb mix into my drink. I have SiS glucose mix which is a big tub and ive had it for freaking ages so i guess im either not using enough or just it lasts a while. Also depends what i want out of the session. If its just training then i might not take a gel but if its a race then most likely i will

@99cya Місяць тому

thanks!! @@thewattlife

@MarkyMarkZwifts 2 місяці тому

That was an awesome effort Max, you've improved so much in such a short amount of time, amazing sticking with the front until the second KOM. Chapeau sir! The guys on the front were pushing massive watts the whole race. I couldn't ride this one as I've put my back out, but I was fan viewing the race and watched it from the front and the pace and watts were insane!!! I recorded the race if you want to see what they were doing on the front - it's on my channel. Keep up the great racing 👊💪💪💪

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Thanks man - I need to keep pushing before outdoor season and I get my ass kicked a whole different way

@heikkisanelma6625 2 місяці тому

Golden Tron Bike is only for Elite race and/or overall winners...

@briantkelly4286 2 місяці тому

Good racing - yes, that was the best of the best

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

It really was a fast field!!

@joshvillen 2 місяці тому

Awesome improvement Max, OUT OF THE SADDLE is the way....until you go outside and get a face full of wind hahaha. Thankfully that shouldnt matter too much for my Mt Washington race this year with a 15% average gradient. Hill climbing season is nigh

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Awesome- i have a trip to Mallorca in two weeks to go and do Sa Calobra Full Gas which is a 35 mins effort

@a_diverge 2 місяці тому

You ride with better and faster riders and you improve...hard work does pay off. Remember the first time we raced....you destroyed me and went to cat B. Now im in cat B usually a minute or so behind your time, but improving all the time.

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Honestly it’s very rewarding to see and glad you’re enjoying it too. Just keep showing up

@a_diverge 2 місяці тому

I do try....feel that the 4 days between Zwift game races is a bit of a time constraint. Not much time to recover.

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

I agree- it’s going to be tough and how you plan for them is going to be very important

@a_diverge 2 місяці тому

@@thewattlifeJust finished stage 2 with 400 riders...amazing ride...minor placement 🤷‍♂️ Good luck on it. 💪👊

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

400 whoa. I’m doing it Friday.

@collinfoote4930 2 місяці тому

A while back you mentioned the book The Feed Zone Portables. Just wondering if you've been implementing any of that and how it's going for you? After watching your video I bought the The Feed Zone (regular non portables) book and have been loving by it and have dropped 8 lbs and it's been an absolute game changer for fueling and refueling after my rides. It's also opened my eyes to the many different food options that are out there for cyclist. Thanks for the great content.

@collinfoote4930 2 місяці тому

Living*

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Yeah I live by the principles in the book regarding carbohydrate lead diets. I actually filmed a long wkend run this weekend where I made a few of the portables recipes- the rice balls, and ate them on the run. They were fantastic. My diet is full of veg and carbohydrate but not massively varied. A lot of the same thing regularly

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Also great to hear that it’s working so well for you and honestly, health and being health is quite simply the most important thing

@heikkisanelma6625 2 місяці тому

Great Effort, if not in races then when to risk it for the biscuit? :) For those climbs and sprints you also need good timing to get the momentum on yourside rather than against you, some peak power to be saved there, some kj's above FTP to be saved there for what you need to save for the finale... I just might be inspired enough to changae my vo2 workout into a race today for #2 ZA sprint race... flatty flat flat... will be pain...

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

I’m looking forward to the second one, some nice rollers to navigate but all in all should just be a flat out brutal ride

@danielstockdale9434 2 місяці тому

Great watch, did you ever get to the bottom of all the bikes being equal during the races for this month event ?

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Yes- it looks like all bikes are equalised and someone is riding the sandwich bike at the front of our front group so I presume he’s taking advantage of the bikes and kit being equalised. There’s a Zwift Insider article on it

@danielstockdale9434 2 місяці тому

Cheers buddy

@pauldyerdyer2731 2 місяці тому

Hated the race but love the course!

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Type 2 fun for sure

@aaronpower8741 2 місяці тому

If the bikes are neutralised, I might do the final Alpe race on the buffalo bike 😂

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Please don’t quote me on that!!!!!! Haha I might have to re read the small print.

@nellepille123 2 місяці тому

Did a ramp test with an FTP result of 300W @4.20W/kg and thought this would be the end of my cat B racing. Still able to compete in B though, which I'm happy about. Tend to do top 10 finishes, so not to keen going cat A yet. On Zwift's website I can see their estimation of my FTP (zFTP) which only is at 253W! (3,54w/kg) I never do any full out effort above 10 min, so Zwift apparently have no idea of my true power. I think this is true for many other riders and how the competition in Cat B is so fierce. As you say Max, making riders do a hard effort on Alpe du Zwift will smoke out some Cat A riders from the B field. I however wonder, I don’t know my true 20 min power, it might still be

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Haha I think the Alpe field might be a bit lean! But yes if ppl mostly race (Zracing/shorter races) then it’s more difficult for Zwift to know people’s true ability. No shade from me though as I love the fast races. I see my zFTP more as a challenge than a true estimate- the goal is to get it way higher

@nellepille123 2 місяці тому

Might adopt it as a challenge too, and get on with it 😄@@thewattlife

@pariswood17 2 місяці тому

If only the women’s 6.30pm had this many riders 😅

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

🥈

@francodellamura7471 2 місяці тому

Well done! I could only manage a 52nd place with 38mins44sec! 😮 3.5w/kg.😢

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

It’s that damn second climb!!! It’s super hard. Well done though

@user-hv7hr8id5n 2 місяці тому

I was hoping it would suit me with the lumps, but the field was just too strong! However, I averaged 4.0W/KG and the winner (B) was on 3.9, so Im thinking better race craft is in order!? Weird not being able to use the left/right controllers to get in draft...

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

So i had a bit of an ah-ha moment today when i looked at my 'punch' on Zwift power. Interestingly my over all wattage hasnt gone up by much but my punch as gone from 48% to over 70%. Which means im now able to go with some of the moves and kicks within the race. Its not something ive worked on just something thats developed from all the racing.

@scottmccann4509 2 місяці тому

You looked so powerful on that first lap, heart rate recovering quickly and comfortable pushing 250-300w.......then that second lap climb, woah! 400W and got dropped like you're standing still, looking at the W/Kg they must be pushing over 450W for nearly 3 minutes on fatigued legs. There needs to be another caveat on how you're selected into A, B etc, 95% of 20 minutes is standard but maybe Zwift need to look at the 5 minute power. You did mention long climbs to get rid of the sandbaggers, but i've seen overlays that show the average power to stay under. Curious if you've got the time to join a C, B and A race on a route of your choice and see how noticeable the difference is 🤔

@snowypruett 2 місяці тому

It's been a long time since your zwift category was 95% of 20 min power. It is now based on your power curve with limits for both an estimated FTP (4.2w/kg - which is up on the old 4.0) and a maximal aerobic power which is more of a 5 min power - limit 5.1 w/kg for B. Either limit exceeded will push you to A - unless you have an estimated FTP of under 250w which is the minimum for A

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Yeah the 2nd climb did me dirty- I just didn’t have anything in the legs. It was brutally hard but enjoyed it

@samsemilia1717 2 місяці тому

you are right with the categories overall, but we need a cat b(a) and b(b) the gab in b is just to big

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Yeah the gap in these races seems like it’s much bigger but the bigger fields means that you can jump into more groups. The problem is that if it’s not a Zwift event then sometimes you get 3-8 riders and that’s not as fun/competitive. Rather than a B/B+ system I’d be more inclined with a B/B Snr system for older athletes.

@spojce9 2 місяці тому

does everyone in cat A have zwift hooked up to their motorcycle?

@thewattlife Місяць тому

It’s the only way I would survive!!!!

@MasterLJ 2 місяці тому

Cam Jeffers I believe.

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Ah thats right- my bad!!

@VeloViking 2 місяці тому

@@thewattlife@camnicholls would probably love a gold tron bike as well 😏

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Apologies to all the Cams out there that I’ve managed to mix up. If anyone wants to give me a Gold Tron bike I will take it

@brulsmurf 2 місяці тому

How can you only have a 600w sprint? Thats just impossible

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

Haha mostly because my legs were RIP after the second Zwift KOM. I was lucky my ass made it out the saddle

@snowypruett 2 місяці тому

Well done Max. Races make the racers. All about zwiftcraft. Was it the best of the best? Certainly some big hitters but the top B1 ZRL leagues are full of them. Here is my view - ukposts.info/have/v-deo/cYV1pKCrr4t7x6s.htmlsi=gL54qS8f_kSsG6i8

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

I’m sure there are a few others out there that could ride the front- but if we build the hype around Monday 6pm then we’ll get all the good riders to come race and it will only get harder and faster!!! Which is a good thing

@MB-pq4hx 2 місяці тому

On Cam Jeffers. Firstly, this was four years ago. Secondly, you obviously don’t know what you are talking about cause you don’t even know the guy’s name. Thirdly, Cam got extremely bad advice on this by Chris Pritchard and did it quite naively. Fourthly, all the other pros got gifted Tron bikes without having to earn them, Cam as the only non-pro, did not. Fifthly, Cam still beat all those guys fair and square and won the British championships. Finally, this was a ridiculous miscarriage of justice from British Cycling banning a guy from racing in real life for literally doing a dumb hack on a fucking video game. They were totally out of their depth. He also paid a huge price financially and mentally for it. So, no, I don’t think he gives a shit about a gold Tron bike. 😂

@thewattlife 2 місяці тому

@MB-pq4hx I agree with all of this- the whole thing was a complete joke. I didnt know the pros got gifted Tron bikes though. Its made worse by the fact that now the Zwift Games are using neutralised bikes- so it literally wouldnt have mattered if this has been done this year.