Zwift is currently celebrating it’s 10th Birthday! In addition to the various celebratory rides and events to encourage participation and to attract users back to Watopia, Zwift has also released a series of updates to the platform in the last month or so; A new Heads Up Display to freshen up the appearance of the platform, additional routes and worlds, new challenges and an increase to the maximum level you can achieve (It now goes to lvl 100!) and more!

Perhaps most the most significant change to the platform is the recent official release of Racing Score! For those of us who are keen Zwifters year-round, you will know that this is a feature that has spent several months in a sort of beta mode, being used alongide the traditional CAT system in ‘Zwift Lab’ events.

If you’re new to Zwift, or are returning to Watopia after enjoying your summer riding on real tarmac roads outside, then you may have questions. Such as ‘What is Racing Score?’ and ‘What’s Wrong With the long-established CAT A, CAT B, CAT C and CAT D system?’. Well, allow me to fill you in…

What is Racing Score?

Racing Score is Zwift’s way - it says - to “revolutionise” racing by “delivering more competitive, accessible and fairer competition.” Effectively, it’s a more granular way of scoring a Zwifter. Whilst there will still be seperate starting pens, where the score somewhat mirrors the tradtional CAT A-D system, Racing Score will allow you to get a handle on the exact difference in power within each CAT. On many occassion you may have been in a race around Watopia and seen a CAT B Rider pulling on the front of an otherwise largely CAT A group? Well, this aims to give an extra level of insight into each riders’ ability level by quite literally scoring them.

What is the Scoring System? How does it work?

A Zwifters Racing Score will be set between 0 (Zero) and 1,000. The higher the Racing Score - the higher the level of fintess and overall power and fitness of the rider. (It could be said that ‘Racecraft’ is also a consideration here. More on that in just a moment). The Racing Scores are divided into…well, I guess you could say Categories(?) as follows:

• 690-1000 (CAT A)

• 520-690 (CAT B)

• 350-520 (CAT C)

• 180-350 (CAT D)

• 1-180 (CAT E)

Scores are calculated firstly on a riders best power over 30 seconds and 10 minutes. Those values are only from the last 90 days of activity - so if you’re in the middle of a training plan and are building your fitness, you should expect that number to at least hold steady, if not increase. Likewise, if you’re unwell or take a vacation - have no fear; you will be able to relax knowing the efforts you’ve recorded are in the bank for a while, yet.

In addition to the raw power numbers a rider puts out, participation in events and races can also further improve your score. Your performance and finishing position will earn you a few extra points and podium finishers will get bonus points. A weaker-than-usual showing or low finishing position may have an adverse affect on your score.

This means that if you happen to find yourself in a race full of strong riders and are forced to ride out of your skin; there is a chance your score may go up! Or, if you’re in a tame CAT A race and spend much of it wheel-sucking and only sprint at the end; your score may well decrease.

So for those looking to go from CAT C to CAT B (and from B to A), for example; by jumping into a band above and racing smart, you could find yourself with a big boost to your score without needing to lay down your season-best power numbers.

No more sandbaggers?

One blight in all forms of racing is The Sandbagger; a rider who intentionally diminishes or plays-down their ability, only to unleash a wattage bazooka on everyone and win by a massive margin. One of the the ultimate objectives of Racing Score, is to combat this by effectively putting riders of a equal ability (A more similar Racing Score) in the same race.

So if we consider that by stepping up a category and giving it your all could reward you with some big points increases; surely this means that you’re a sandbagger - constantly cruising around a CAT B events, sucking wheels and just sprinting at the end…you may well find yourself stagnating, or even coming away with a lower score than when you started the event!

Perhaps this is the means Zwift will use to encourage races to be more competetive? Only time will tell, but the early signs are promising.

Does it actually work?

In my experience so far, it does seem to be working. I took part in about a dozen or so Zwift Lab Races using Racing Score throughout September in a bid to get to grips with what this means for me and my journey back to full fitness. The races were definitely harder than the average event I enter, meaning I had to push harder. All you have to do is glance at the Zwift Companion App to see a riders Racing Score. This is handy as it lets you know exactly who the in-race threats are and whether you have any chance of keeping up with them. This, in-turn, can help to inform your own race strategy.

"We are incredibly excited about the launch of Zwift Racing Score, we have spent years researching the best algorithm, looking into data collected from millions of races held on the platform, and more importantly, working with the Zwift community to collect feedback on how the system is functioning” - Mark Cote, Head of Product at Zwift

What is my Zwift Racing Score? Where can I find it?

After logging in to either the Zwift website or the Zwift Companion App, head to your profile, your racing score should be displayed:

What’s the best way to improve my racing score?

There is no real shortcut (at least not if you want to sleep at night and care about integrity in competition and sport!). The best ways to increase your Racing Score are:

• Race often. Jump into events and races, take part. Gradually build your fitness and nudge that racing score up!

• Join events just above your current ability level. Whilst you may be dropped from the back or spend the race holding on, your will effectively be making more gains by racing in a higher

Entering a higher volume of Zwift races will allow users to gradually build their racing score. Points will now be available for every finishing position which Zwift says will mean that “every race can provide motivation and reward.”

"We know how important it is to get this right. The feedback from the Zwift Labs Club has been incredibly positive with many racers finding events more dynamic due to improved categorisation. We will continue to evolve Zwift Racing Score and monitor community feedback but we are excited to see how Zwift Racing Score will help more people enjoy the benefits of racing on Zwift." - Mark Cote, Head of Product at Zwift

Ready to try Zwift?

You can get a month on Zwift for FREE by signing up right here! FREE MONTH ON ZWIFT!

If want a Guided Tour of Watopia, or aren’t ready to join a public race or event just yet - just give me a shout or join me for one of my rides. I’d be happy to show you the ropes. All my rides are over on YouTube. Check it out!