Zwift brings in a raft of new features for winter training season

The updates, including more roads, a racing score and increased gamification, will roll out gradually in the next few weeks and months

10:37, Wednesday 13th September 2023

James Howell-Jones

Junior Writer

New updates for Zwift

Just as the days are getting shorter and the weather colder in the northern hemisphere, the most popular virtual cycling platform has announced a range of updates and improvements.

The updates, which include expansions to Watopia (Zwift's most popular cycling 'world'), developments to the popular Climb Portal feature, and a new women's cycling club, are intended to increase engagement and motivate riders. As Zwift says: "The most effective training tool is the one that has you coming back for more."

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New Roads in Watopia

The new 'coastal expressway' takes riders from the Fuego Flats to the Mayan Jungle avoiding the climb

Watopia is getting its first expansion since 2019, with 19km of new roads to explore. In recent years, Zwift has added various new worlds, including France, Yorkshire and Scotland, but Watopia has always been the most popular place to ride.

This expansion is good news for the less lightweight riders among us, as it includes a coastal road that bypasses the Epic KOM.

Zwift says the update includes a range of new fast, flat routes, some reaching up to 48km in length.

Tour of Watopia returns

The Tour of Watopia can be ridden solo or in a group

These new roads will play host to a Tour of Watopia, an annual 5-day stage event, with each stage available on-demand and ridable in a few different ways. This event is ideal for Zwifters looking to progress quickly, with double points available during the event.

Registration for the event opens on September 25, with the event beginning on October 2.

Even more gamification with the new Repack Rush Event Mode

Repack Rush Event Mode

Repack Rush is a circuit laced with time bonuses and penalties, which riders must navigate using steering control to get the best time. It launched in the summer as a solo time trial course, but now it can be played multi-player.

Zwift says that this new mode is all about skill and tactics, with each rider picking up time penalties and bonuses as they go. Only after the race can you see who's really won.

This feature is expected in autumn and is presented as a beta feature for riders with steering devices.

Steering comes to Crit City

Steering-enabled racers will be able to benefit from boost pads for extra speed

Zwift released its first dedicated steering controller back in June, and increasingly, the brand is developing new ways of incorporating the increased functionality in races. Zwift is still calling this a beta period, meaning they're still testing things out, but they plan to add steering control to Crit City in late November. Riders using steering controls will have to avoid hazards, but they'll also have the chance to benefit from boost pads and choose the best racing line.

A new community for women cyclists

Zwift's Women's Training Club will host a range of rides and training sessions

Zwift has launched a new Women's Training Club, a place for women to train and ride together within Zwift. The club will feature structured training from world-class coaches and athletes, a consistent weekly schedule of workouts and rides, and a chat to enable women to connect with other female cyclists.

Climb Portal gains difficulty scale

Riders will soon be able to scale climbs down

Zwift's Climb Portal launched in July, and since then, the brand says that one in five Zwifters have used it, making it one of the most popular features in the game.

Subsequently, the feature is being developed in this latest update, giving riders the chance to scale the difficulty of the climb. From autumn, Zwifters will be able to choose whether they want to climb at 50%, 75% or 100% difficulty.

For Tour de France fans, the France Climb Portal will be of interest, with a 'climb of the month' feature that will give riders a chance to take on legendary French climbs within the game.

A new Zwift Racing Score for responsive, accurate ratings

The ranking system is expected in late November

Previously, Zwifters grouped themselves depending on a 20-minute power test. From late November, though Zwift will generate a live Zwift Racing Score, that takes into account your field position and the strength of the field to give a real race ranking, as well as accounting for your power numbers and Zwift skills. It means that riders will be able to select the right events for them, as well as giving a new figure to become obsessed with improving.

Zwift companion app gains 'discovery' feature

The app update is expected in November

Seeing exactly which training options are available has always been a little tricky in Zwift, so to make it easier, Zwift is updating their companion app to make sorting through their many training sessions super easy and simple. From November, riders will have access to a discovery feature that will make browsing and selecting workouts clear and simple.

Zwift

Zwift is a fitness technology company that allows users to interact, train and race on its virtual online cycling platform. Zwift has approximately one million subscribers and has completely changed how cyclists view training.