Zwift Racing League Week 4 report

Are we only four weeks in? It feels like we are well settled in by now. This week we emulated the famous Tour de France finish on the cobbles of Champs Elysees. Thank goodness none of us had to do the full TdF 8 laps: “just” six for the Bs and 5 for the Cs.

Sotonia Buzz (mixed B category) continued their strengthening and had their strongest points finish; three of their riders delivered what look like their season best 1 minute power numbers. Congrats Dan Lickman, Joffrey Carlier and Dan Stephens. Commiserations to Annie Dixey on the signal loss – the virtual “chain drop”. Proper all round performance, with Jez Hart and Sonja Gailer earning the points to lift their team two positions higher overall. They now sit 12^th in their league.

Sotonia Bees (men’s B category) are still in awe of an extraordinary last lap solo breakaway by Evan Jardine-Skinner that saw him hold off a chasing pack to win the last lap sprint segment. And still have enough in him to stay in the pack for a chase to the line. Magnificent stuff, leading the team to a 5^th place finish on the night and holding 2^nd in their league overall.

Sotonia Cranks (women’s C category) welcomed Gemma Wilks into the team; she promptly rode her way into 5^th place, with Hannah Budden continuing her amazing run of top 10 finishes each race. Vikki Sutcliffe took a well earned week off – but we’re not sure that “drinking cocktails in Mexico” is exactly what is meant by a “recovery week”. They came in 4^th on the night and now sit 3^rd in their league. I’m sure they claim bragging rights for having two more total points than Bees (408 vs 406) while Bees will want to claim the edge for having more league points (70 vs 69).

Next week we’re riding in Watopia, with a race designed to test VO2 (short climb), sprint and threshold power (longer power). One for the all rounders.

The new season starts on 8 November. We particularly want female category D riders and male category A riders. If you want to join in, just comment below, talk to any of the team or contact us in any other way you’d like.