Just how quick are Cat A ZWIFT racers?

I took on some A cat riders in a short race on ZWIFT - can brute power win the day?

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[MarkLewisfitness]

I am doing this race again next Tuesday, 8th June 9 pm UK time. And there are already more people signed up for it than took part in this weeks 😂👍🏼

[Bubbles]

Played soccer and hockey my entire life, 4 years varsity soccer, hockey, tennis in HS. D1 hockey in college. So, pretty athletic.
But occasionally you run into a guy who is simply multiple levels over you in shear physicality. It is truly something crazy to experience. Either quickness, strength or endurance.
Often there is nothing you can do. At some point greater skill alone can't overcome it.
It is so many things: impressive, humbling, inspiring.

[jasonball]

Great video Mark. I've recently moved from a C (where I did ok, even eventually won a few) to a B (where I'm, at best, mid-table and get the joy of watching the front pack cycle off into the distance). In addition to what others are saying, look for the very flattest courses (eg Tempus Fugit in Watopia) where pure watts will start to outweigh w/kg (Zwift Insider has a good article on this). Avoid going to the front of the pack *at all costs* (your effective/relative power will plummet and there's a lag before the drafting effect kicks back in when you'll get swarmed and left for dead). Good luck tomorrow (warm up well).

[tristanwhite]

Well done Mark! Super effort. Sorry for the long post but you seem like a chap who really considers others' experience. Couple of tips from an A rider:


2. The second tip is something that most riders do not know about and yet is the single thing that will determine getting dropped or being in the race: VO2Max interval workouts. Basically, all front Bs and all As are likely doing some kind of prepared training outside of competition. Doing 2 high intensity 7x3 min VO2Max interval sessions per week will take your racing to another level. The reason is that it's not good enough to be able to ride at VO2Max for 3-5 mins, you have to be able to repeat it. i.e., develop fatigue resistance at those levels. The reason people get dropped is that the pace of the front (while at or below FTP for those riders) is taking them into VO2Max land. And VO2Max land is not a happy place to be. In fact, no one can really survive there for more than 5-8 mins. That's why they call FTP a 'threshold'. So practicing being there, resting and then making a re-visit is basically essential for any level of racing.

Counter to IRL racing, Zwift always starts with a bang (a visit to VO2Max land). Those that are unprepared for this 'feature' will be dropped. So why not prepare for it? Besides, VO2Max intervals will dramatically improve your performance and drag up your threshold. You will be very surprised at what you can do if you can fit these into your week. Warning: you should feel like you are going to throw up during intervals #5, 6 and 7. Use Zwift's training feature to build this VO2Max workout - with the bike in ERG mode, you don't have to think (I often lose track of which interval I'm on). You can also slide the % down a bit if you feel you are going too deep. With 4-6 weeks of these, I could see you joining B races and scaring a lot of people. Thanks again for your inspirational videos!

[TheIronMason]

From 10k to 163k in a year...phenomenal job 👏

[belwynne]

Lol. I always get a good chuckle from your vlogs.

[MikeBertelsenDK]

This dude is low-key hilarious, I love it.

[MattChapple]

Fair play to you! That’s a massive effort. I’ve found with the step up from B to A is that it’s hanging on in the As and racing smarter where as in the Bs there’s more influence on how the race plays out (shutting down attacks, splitting the bunch on climbs, launching off the front etc).

[GunrGunston]

Congratulations Mark on 10000 subscribers, I have bee recommending you to all my riding buddies here in Aus.. Yet more great content with laughs a plenty. Keep up the great work and push hard.

[FirstTouchFootall]

Soccer??? C'mon Mark 🤣🤣👍🏻💪🏻
Love the videos mate. Give me huge inspiration trying to get back from. Nightmare injuries. Keep it going ☘👍🏻

[danlancaster]

Mark, you are great and above average. Enjoy your videos. Thanks for the chuckle. Will I try an "A" group. Oh hell no. I know my limitations and fear death come if I tried.

[paullacy]

Congrats on the 10k, well deserved. 👏👏👏👏

[ezquielc]

10:23 HAHAHAH that bit is brilliant 😂😂😂

[patbriggsmbr]

It’s the zwift stuff that keeps me watching 👍

[michaelhoult]

Love your content ! Keep it up. Watching more and more ... I think I will try an A race !!

[paulmorrison]

Awesome as always and well above average 👊🏾

[bitminerbob]

This is so epic. We're at the beach now, in our converted van. I was yelling out to the wife that you put my comment up on the screen. She just rolled her eyes and went back to reading her book lol. Pfffft. You raced against a good mate of mine there, Dean Russell. He's a cycling coach and a Masters National track champion, so no shame in losing to Dean - although I did beat him in a 50k Zwift race a week or so back lol. I knew you'd have the watts to hang in there and hold wheels. Just got to do everything you can to stay in that front group. City Crits would suit you too. Downtown Dolphin over the Bell Lap. Pity your bike gearing stuffed up there!!! Picked a good race too. I often race those 2 Crit Crusher races back to back. They're heaps of fun and great zwiftpower point sniping if you're looking to rank up. Keen to see how you go in your next A grade race!! I'll try and jump into your next race on June 8th. Look for "TEX". I'll be a friendly wheel, until the sprint. :)

[FaiscaaaH]

At least you play fair and square, chapeau on that 💪💪💪 Zwift it's a world apart, plenty of guys there doing world tour numbers looool we just have to accept it, it's just a game.

[ChrisP]

AMC stock holder, doesn't like football, I like this guy more with each video!

[paulpatterson]

you're a top ten finisher. congrats.