Extended window aims to help aspiring riders in their bid to win a professional contract with the CANYON//SRAM Generation and Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Teams
Zwift, the global online fitness platform for cyclists, today announced the launch of Zwift Academy. The programme is Zwift’s renowned talent identification pathway, designed to uncover hidden talent and support their development through the professional ranks, joining an elite alumni, including Jay Vine and Neve Bradbury. Neve is fresh from winning the Queen Stage, Young Rider Classification and finished third overall at the Giro d'Italia Women.
Registration for Zwift Academy opens on 15 July, with the programme running from 5 August to 3 November. The programme is open for a longer window compared to previous years, allowing to provide aspiring riders greater flexibility to optimise their training and racing calendars to peak for the challenge of the Zwift Acadmey.
The world-class workouts will test and challenge participants more than ever before. Workouts will be available on demand, providing riders complete control over their programme. Each workout is designed to push Zwifters and to find their limits as the only globally accessible Talent ID and WorldTour testing protocol. In addition to the testing workouts, riders will also need to compete in two race moments in order to complete the campaign. The races will help provide insight into how riders deploy their physical capabilities in a racing environment.
“Zwift Academy has consistently delivered high-performing riders to Alpecin - Deceuninck. From Jay Vine in 2020, to Luca Vergalito who this year moved to the WorldTour, the standard has increased every year and we’re very excited to discover who will join the team in 2025” said Alpecin - Deceuninck’s Performance Director, Kristof de Kegel.
Dan Fleeman, Performance Director at CANYON//SRAM said “We crafted the Zwift Academy programme this year to really push the boundaries for all entrants, to take all riders through a series of workouts that mirror the demands of World Tour level racing, based on real World Tour data. We know the riders that earn the contracts with both Alpecin - Deceuninck & CANYON//SRAM will have extremely bright careers as professional cyclists ahead of them.”
Zwift Academy is open to everyone, and last year saw over 100,000 riders take part. All Zwifters who complete the workouts and races will earn exclusive in-game unlocks including the Zwift Academy kit after the second activity and after all Zwift Academy activities are finished Zwifters unlock the ZA bike paint job. One lucky Zwift Academy finisher will also win a Canyon Aeroad in Zwift Academy colours.
First launched in 2016, Zwift Academy has proven to be a renowned talent identification programme with a history of finding fantastic, young riders ready to take the next step. Female participants will have the chance to earn a contract with CANYON//SRAM Generation following in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Maddie Le Roux. With male participants vying for a contract with Alpecin-Deceuninck’s development team joining last year’s winner, Louis Kitzki. These development teams create a formal pathway to the World Tour such as Zwift Academy 2022 winner Luca Vergallito’s promotion to the development team after just one year.
Find out more about this year’s Zwift Academy by visiting www.zwift.com/zwift-academy
About Zwift
Zwift is the fitness company born from gaming. We’re dedicated fitness enthusiasts, experienced video game developers, and disruptive thinkers. Play is in our DNA and we know fun fuels results.
Zwift utilizes massively multiplayer online gaming technology to create rich, 3D worlds ripe for exploration. Join thousands of cyclists and runners in immersive playgrounds like London, New York, and Paris as well as our very own Watopia.
Our app connects wirelessly to exercise equipment: bike trainers, treadmills, and more, so your real world effort powers your avatar in the game.
From friendly races to social rides and structured training programs, Zwift unites a diverse community in pursuit of a more fun, immersive and social fitness experience.
Contact details
Copy link
https://news.zwift.com/en-WW/239495-zwift-academy-returns-to-find-the-next-stars-of-the-pelotonRelated topics
Related news
ANNOUNCING ZWIFT’S BIGGEST RACING UPDATE TO DATE: ZWIFT RACING SCORE
Zwift Racing Score set to make Zwift racing more competitive, fairer and accessible
ZWIFT'S 10-YEAR CELEBRATIONS CONTINUE WITH 2024 TOUR OF WATOPIA
The five stages have been specifically chosen to celebrate Zwift’s landmark anniversary and take Zwifters on an exhilarating journey through time
ARE YOU READY? ZWIFT RIDE SMART FRAME GOES ON SALE AND ZWIFT READY PROGRAM LAUNCHED
Major updates from Zwift and Wahoo
Discover new features as Zwift celebrates 10 years
New roads, bike upgrades, customizable data displays and much more coming to Zwift this season