After launching its annual Zwift Academy competition for a chance for amateur riders to win a pro-cycling contract, Zwift has today announced its 20 semi-finalists.
One professional contract is up for grabs on the women's CANYON//SRAM Racing team and one on the men's U23 Team Dimension Data, and ten men and ten women are in the running.
- From nurse to pro-racer, the Zwift Academy winner is crowned
- The highs and lows of winning a pro contract
5,000 women and 30,000 men took part in the initial eight-week training program, which involved ten structured workouts, four group rides and two races to select the top 20 riders in each category.
These 20 semi-finalists will continue their trials between 15–28 October, after which the group will be whittled down to just six contenders — three each in the women's and men's categories.
The finalists will then be invited to week-long training camps in Cape Town, South Africa and Malaga, Spain in mid-November, and based on this final test, one rider in each category will be awarded a professional contract.
If you fancy your chances you can try out the semi-final workouts yourself on Zwift.
Did you enter this year? Let us know how you got on in the comments below.
This article was updated on 8 October 2018.
Original article from 2 July 2018 below
Zwift's third annual Training Academy launches today
Your chance to win a pro-team contract
Zwift has just announced the launch of its third annual Zwift Academy, which will run for eight weeks from 6 August until 30 September.
The highlight of this eight-week training program is the two professional contracts up for grabs for the best performers on the program: one with the U23 Women's CANYON//SRAM WorldTour Team and one with the U23 Men’s Team Dimension Data.
The Zwift Academy pitches itself not just as a way to break in to the world of professional cycling, but also as a worldwide training camp.
For many riders it will provide a structured way to improve fitness over the eight-week period, with training plans devised by professional coaches.
To ‘graduate’ from the Academy riders have to complete 16 workouts. That includes 10 structured workouts, four group rides and two races. Competitors will gain free premium access to Today’s Plan for detailed training analytics and the ability to measure up against the competition.
As an additional incentive, for every 25 percent block of the Training Academy completed, entrants will gain exclusive in-game and real-world rewards. Zwift has also committed to donating one Qhubeka bike for every 10 graduates from the men’s academy.
And for those who believe that they are the next pro-talent waiting to be unearthed, 10 ‘graduates’ will be selected from the men’s and women’s training program each to move on to the semi-finals between 15–28 October.
The top three men and top three women will then take part in the finals, due to be held in mid-November, for their chance to win a pro contract.
Zwift Academy registration is free as part of Zwift's membership. Visit the dedicated site for more information and to sign up.
