Building on its partnership with the Absa Cape Epic since the beginning of 2019, Zwift aims to further increase the appeal of indoor training for mountain bikers and gravel riders. Off-road enthusiasts already make up ten percent of Zwift users.

"We already have a strong user base of athletes who spend most of their training outside riding off-road," says Eric Min, Zwift CEO and co-founder. "This is perhaps no surprise, as indoor training is not just an effective training tool for road cyclists. However, this first coordinated move to serve the off-road audience is an important one. So, for the first time, we will have special training plans and bikes tailored to the needs of gravel and mountain bikers."

In fact, the game update released today contains two new training plans tailored to the needs of off-road cycling. The specific requirements for performance and pedaling technique differ from those on the road. The new "Pebble Pounder" plan has been added to the previously only training plan for Gravel Grinder. The Pebble Pounder is designed as an entry-level plan aimed at gravel event beginners.

For mountain bikers, the intermediate "Dirt Destroyer" is designed for the advanced rider. This user has a developed endurance base but strives to improve their mountain bike specific skills through targeted intervals well above threshold. The improved anaerobic capacity and higher wattage should in turn help to master the steepest climbs outdoors. A second, more advanced training plan for cross-country racers will follow at the beginning of the new year.

Riding characteristics like the real thing
In addition to the new training plans, Zwift has also launched a new fleet of bikes for the training game, which can be found and purchased in the Drop Shop. Zwifters can use their "Drops" - Zwift's virtual currency earned by riding in the game - to purchase the new Canyon Grail, Inflite and Cervelo Aspero Gravel bikes. Mountain bikers can also choose between the Canyon Lux, Scott Spark and Specialized Epic.

These bikes are designed to offer more than just a visual appearance. All bikes in Zwift now have riding characteristics designed to better match their real-world conditions. Gravel bikes are fastest on gravel, but moderately fast on the road and slower off-road. Mountain bikes are naturally fastest off-road, slower on gravel and slowest on the road.

Zwift announces further updates and new partnerships in the coming months.

www.zwift.com/eu