no problem! hopefully you can win your next one! Although its not the end of the world if you don't, I think i only have 4 or 5 wins out of the 300 races ive completed. Its hard to get everything perfect to pick up outright wins :)
I watch a guy who does a lot of crit racing, called NorCal cycling. He primarily rides outdoors and just zwift's occasionally and said something similar. For sprinting I think there is probably a loss of watts when going all out (especially if you're more used to sprinting outdoors) due to the fact your bike is fixed (almost no side to side motion). I haven't noticed a drop in watts myself but I also ride primarily indoors.
I love your channel. I have learned so many valuable strategies from it. My sprint is still weak, so I am trying to keep 700w for a minute and start sprinting early, around 500m before the end. The results have been mixed.
Thanks! just keep in mind even if you do everything right in a sprint, its still hard to get the win as there could be a couple sprint specialist beating you out. What is your 15 second power? 700w for a minute is pretty impressive. idk if you record any of your races, but would be happy to take a look at the sprint finishes through a google drive / dropbox link if so!
@@ZwiftAnalysisNetwork my 15-second sprint in a race is not even 700w. While I can keep almost 600w for a minute. Although I haven't done it during a race. My Zwiftpower shows 503w/1min. I don't know what the problem is with my sprint I hit once 1200w but I haven't been able to repeat it ever. I was moved to category B today and I am practicing the 1 min max effort. It seems to be my strength.
thats good though to know your strength and it sounds like you could use that high 1-minute (or you likely have a higher 2-minute power as well) to your advantage. You should be able to have some good results at the B level (it might take a few races to get used to the pace of the race though as you just upgraded, I still remember getting dropped before the halfway point on my first 10 B races 😁) on courses that fit your profile. It might also be worth trying to do some sprinting training sessions, just focusing on 5 - 8 sprints, with quite a bit of rest in between, that way you can maximize your results if it comes down to a bunch sprint (it's good to hear you have at least hit 1200 watts once!). I've found all my best sprints have come when I am able to get my RPM above a 100 and keep pushing through the finish line. I do have a couple similar teammates. They are like diesel engines where they can sustain pushing high watts but have trouble matching the high-end 15-second powers. It's still good to try and improve your sprint, but your greatest strength may always be that high-minute power and focusing on using it to drop the pure sprinters on segments that require 1-2 minute power.
@@ZwiftAnalysisNetwork I think my legs lose coordination at high rev. I will follow your advice and try to practice above 100 rpm and push it. Thanks for your valuable advice
I wonder if I need to adjust my gearing as I sometime end up in freewheel although I'm always sprinting in my biggest gear. Any recommendations on TD maybe?
is this a recent issue, or has it been ongoing for a while? A couple times ive had issues like this after a Zwift update, a calibration or subsequent Zwift update had fixed it though. Most standard gearing should be fine for sprinting and you shouldn't be able to push your biggest gear and still end up needing a bigger one (unless its a downhill or high speed sprint). Maybe try a quick slight uphill sprint (3%-4%) with the TD at max, and also try a flat sprint with the trainer difficulty at a lower setting. If you're still required to be in the biggest gear for these tests, maybe try calibrating the trainer. Hopefully this is helpful!
You should be fine doing standing sprints. It's rated to handle up to 1500 watts, while other wheel off trainers are 1800 watts I believe. If you are hesitant, maybe setup a workout and do a couple 15 second intervals at 50% of your sprint, then up it to 75% and make sure it feels sturdy.
Nice video. I'm one that can spin 130rpm (155mm) cranks at just under 1000w. However, my FTP is poor at only 180w as I've only just started training on Zwift! Last night I forgot to keep the lights on, picked the wrong gear and snapped my chain at 80rpm and 950w 😂😂😂
good to hear that although you just started on Zwift, you already have a skill that can win you races! Right near 1000w is impressive. Sorry to hear about the chain, hopefully it doesnt keep you out for long. My bikes been stuck at the shop for the last 3 weeks :(, sweat dripped and corroded the back break line unfortunately.
😂 I'm sure as you get more used to zwift racing it will become easier as well. I always find that the strategy for sitting in the Zwift pack is different than outdoor racing
Great video! Thanks for posting
Thank you for the helpful tips and tricks. I’m a Cat D racer and in my last 3 races I’ve lost every sprint.
no problem! hopefully you can win your next one! Although its not the end of the world if you don't, I think i only have 4 or 5 wins out of the 300 races ive completed. Its hard to get everything perfect to pick up outright wins :)
ive noticed watts is more outside like 200+ more than zwift
I watch a guy who does a lot of crit racing, called NorCal cycling. He primarily rides outdoors and just zwift's occasionally and said something similar.
For sprinting I think there is probably a loss of watts when going all out (especially if you're more used to sprinting outdoors) due to the fact your bike is fixed (almost no side to side motion). I haven't noticed a drop in watts myself but I also ride primarily indoors.
I love your channel. I have learned so many valuable strategies from it. My sprint is still weak, so I am trying to keep 700w for a minute and start sprinting early, around 500m before the end. The results have been mixed.
Thanks! just keep in mind even if you do everything right in a sprint, its still hard to get the win as there could be a couple sprint specialist beating you out.
What is your 15 second power? 700w for a minute is pretty impressive. idk if you record any of your races, but would be happy to take a look at the sprint finishes through a google drive / dropbox link if so!
@@ZwiftAnalysisNetwork my 15-second sprint in a race is not even 700w. While I can keep almost 600w for a minute. Although I haven't done it during a race. My Zwiftpower shows 503w/1min. I don't know what the problem is with my sprint I hit once 1200w but I haven't been able to repeat it ever. I was moved to category B today and I am practicing the 1 min max effort. It seems to be my strength.
thats good though to know your strength and it sounds like you could use that high 1-minute (or you likely have a higher 2-minute power as well) to your advantage. You should be able to have some good results at the B level (it might take a few races to get used to the pace of the race though as you just upgraded, I still remember getting dropped before the halfway point on my first 10 B races 😁) on courses that fit your profile.
It might also be worth trying to do some sprinting training sessions, just focusing on 5 - 8 sprints, with quite a bit of rest in between, that way you can maximize your results if it comes down to a bunch sprint (it's good to hear you have at least hit 1200 watts once!). I've found all my best sprints have come when I am able to get my RPM above a 100 and keep pushing through the finish line.
I do have a couple similar teammates. They are like diesel engines where they can sustain pushing high watts but have trouble matching the high-end 15-second powers. It's still good to try and improve your sprint, but your greatest strength may always be that high-minute power and focusing on using it to drop the pure sprinters on segments that require 1-2 minute power.
@@ZwiftAnalysisNetwork I think my legs lose coordination at high rev. I will follow your advice and try to practice above 100 rpm and push it. Thanks for your valuable advice
Great points!
Super video Dave
Thanks Hollie!
Great tips Dave
Thanks Neil! Anything you would have liked to hear more about?
I wonder if I need to adjust my gearing as I sometime end up in freewheel although I'm always sprinting in my biggest gear. Any recommendations on TD maybe?
is this a recent issue, or has it been ongoing for a while? A couple times ive had issues like this after a Zwift update, a calibration or subsequent Zwift update had fixed it though.
Most standard gearing should be fine for sprinting and you shouldn't be able to push your biggest gear and still end up needing a bigger one (unless its a downhill or high speed sprint). Maybe try a quick slight uphill sprint (3%-4%) with the TD at max, and also try a flat sprint with the trainer difficulty at a lower setting. If you're still required to be in the biggest gear for these tests, maybe try calibrating the trainer.
Hopefully this is helpful!
Can you do standing sprints using the Wahoo Kicker Snap? Im worried about standing and cannot find the answer online anywhere.
You should be fine doing standing sprints. It's rated to handle up to 1500 watts, while other wheel off trainers are 1800 watts I believe.
If you are hesitant, maybe setup a workout and do a couple 15 second intervals at 50% of your sprint, then up it to 75% and make sure it feels sturdy.
Nice video. I'm one that can spin 130rpm (155mm) cranks at just under 1000w. However, my FTP is poor at only 180w as I've only just started training on Zwift!
Last night I forgot to keep the lights on, picked the wrong gear and snapped my chain at 80rpm and 950w 😂😂😂
good to hear that although you just started on Zwift, you already have a skill that can win you races! Right near 1000w is impressive.
Sorry to hear about the chain, hopefully it doesnt keep you out for long. My bikes been stuck at the shop for the last 3 weeks :(, sweat dripped and corroded the back break line unfortunately.
@ZwiftAnalysisNetwork Just got to try and not get dropped 🤣
😂 I'm sure as you get more used to zwift racing it will become easier as well. I always find that the strategy for sitting in the Zwift pack is different than outdoor racing
Cadence drills go a long way to building a great sprint.