ZWIFT ACADEMY RETURNS, OFFERING WORKOUTS FOR EVERY KIND OF RIDER AND PRO CONTRACTS FOR THOSE WITH EXCEPTIONAL TALENT

Zwift, the global online fitness platform for cyclists, today announces the launch of the revamped Zwift Academy Road cycling program, designed to help every cyclist find their strength and go further in a four-week crash course designed to help Zwifters get faster, stronger, and smarter on the bike. 

Registration for Zwift Academy opens on August 15 and the events begin on Sept. 12 and end on Oct. 9, 2022. While the academy is for all riders, it’s also a talent identification program and will award two professional cycling contracts, through the Pro Contender program, for athletes who demonstrate exceptional talent and fitness through the program.

First launched in 2016, Zwift Academy has served as a model for digital talent identification and is the first such program to offer participants a chance to earn a spot on professional sports teams. Female participants in Zwift Academy have the chance to earn a contract with the UCI Women’s WorldTour Team CANYON//SRAM Racing, and male participants have the chance to earn a contract with UCI ProTeam Alpecin-Deceuninck.

This year’s Zwift Academy Road Cycling program is designed to help participants, whether or not they want to compete for a spot on a professional team, find their strengths as a cyclist, and learn to train both their strengths and limiters to become a more complete rider. Zwift Academy also teaches participants to train effectively. Those who complete the program will receive customized workouts and training recommendations, empowering them to keep improving on their own. 

To make Zwift Academy more accessible, the program has been streamlined – only the baseline and finishline rides must be completed at scheduled times. The six structured workouts and Pro Contender workouts can be completed “on-demand,” so that riders can schedule their rides at times that are convenient for them. This year’s Academy includes: 

- 1 optional Orientation Ride, taking place prior to the program beginning

- 1 Baseline Ride, completed on the Legends and Lava Route, used to determine a rider’s phenotype

- 1 Finish Line Ride, completed on the Legends and Lava Route, available only during the last two weeks of the academy

- 6 Structured Workouts, with both short and long workout options

- 2 Additional Pro Contender workouts, for those interested in attempting to win a pro contract 

Along the way, Zwifters will earn exclusive in-game unlocks: socks for completing 25% of Zwift Academy, a sweatband for getting halfway through, a Zwift Academy kit for 75%, and custom Canyon Aeroroad paint for completing the entire program.

While Zwift Academy is a talent identification program for professional cycling teams, most riders will enter the academy to push themselves, improve their fitness, and learn about their own type of strength as an athlete. Those who do want the chance to ride on a pro team must complete the Baseline Ride and the two Pro Contender workouts by Sept. 25 in order to be considered for the Pro Contender Program.