Can I win Every Category in Zwift?

My Zwift: Jeff NorCal Cycling
Will's Zwift: Will Hardin (Miami Nights)
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00:00 Category D
01:02 Category C
01:44 Category B
08:58 Category A

[@chrisfoglesong2017]

Props to you Jeff for dropping out of the D & C races to not “steal” the win from someone working at their limit in those categories.

[@Freerider93]

Props? He blew up the freaking race! He doesn't get props for doing that crap. He and other cat A racers need to stop using the lower cats for crap like this. We aren't your YT content farm.

[@eadondrytevernight1765]

As a cat C rider, I found it interesting to watch the difference in fitness levels. When I started zwift, I was cat D but quickly moved to cat C, then struggled to stay with the pack to now being able to keep with the lead pack. It was interesting to see the insights on cat B racing, and give me something to aim for. Granted it’a not for everyone, but it does highlight how far you can go by just working harder.

[@drdumbo9124]

⁠@@Freerider93 oh jfc people complain about everything. People at this level string these races out all the time and bonk all the time. People lie about weights in those races also and go on to win. Him doing this is no real issue. There’s not hoards of KZbinrs doing this….. I’m always amazed at the amount of people that literally complain about everything. It’s Zwift it doesn’t matter.

[@whip113]

@@Freerider93 , calm down Francis, nobody chases in the D and C races because they're mostly weight doping and running at category limits. If they aren't then they can't chase anyhow. So no, he didn't blow up the race, everyone in the race saw him ride off the front early in the race and concluded he was going to get DQ'd for category violations. And if this wasn't a category enforced race, then there would have been 15-20 other A cat racers there to pull him back. Category enforced D and C races are a dance with category limits more than anything else. That's where the strategy lies. Reverse weight doping, sitting in and not pulling, etc. is what the D and C category races are made up of. Signed: Won the last 2 rounds of ZRL C category by literally riding off the front, then got bumped to the B's (intentional). I did it "natty" though, and got clobbered BAD in my B races (dropped in less than 7 minutes on Loop the Loop during Zwift Games) because I didn't have 10kg's to shed overnight or a bunch of untapped watts to cash in.

[@dansteuer1411]

@@Freerider93disagree. Its cool to see the differences . I never race to win anyways. I race to beat my prior time

[@bettyjones8363]

I am a 65 year old woman and in the D category. I am very happy to just pedal. Last year I did 12,000 kms on my bike (indoors and outside). Very happy to pedal.

[@letolollers3729]

12,000km is incredible, thats more than most cyclists !

[@itaykaminski3483]

Damn you must be really consistent good job!

[@gmen1305]

Steamroller makes any surface (dirt, cobblestone, etc) as fast as a paved road

[@MijoMontego]

That was fun. Enjoying the variety to the channel... crit racing to gear testing to now Zwift racing

[@_Doodle-bob]

100% do more of these. I would love to see you race in some elite verified fields like Zwift Grand Prix this fall.

[@danjo1967]

he wouldnt hang in an elite zwift race - not against guy who know HOW to race zwift, and are stronger than him.

[@vsportsguy]

Jeff is one of best racers in CA, and it took him 3 tries to win a B race. Zwift has managed to make an exceptional bike racer look ordinary.

[@toefur66K]

He’s not the same rider on a trainer. 800W sprint!

[@astigmatic8978]

@@toefur66KNot to mention Jeff's fantastic bike handling and decision making skills during crits don't matter nearly as much in Zwift races

[@damu6678]

Did you not watch? They cheated. He was beat by someone doing 5 w/kg that claimed they weighed 99 lbs. Unlikely

[@tsops22]

@@damu6678so what? Whoever cheats only hurts themselves, no one else. It’s a game; when they go IRL, they will be burned to the ground…and ZwiftPower is getting smarter now; not easy to cheat as it was in the past

[@Henuman]

​@@tsops22Cheating ruins race dynamics so it affects others.

[@skylerschwendeman]

Love to see Jeff trying new stuff out for the channel! Of course I hope we still get lots of race review footage, but fun to see NorCal branching out a bit.

[@ZwiftInsider]

Fun to see some Zwift content from you, Jeff. Greetings from a fan and fellow NorCal rider here at Zwift Insider HQ!

[@MrRed0devil]

I have used Zwift over the past 2 years, but unfortunately I had a severe stroke last summer but I dream of making a comeback so any Zwift content is greatly appreciated by me.

[@edlaverack]

A ton of crossover to be had Zwift racing and real world. It’s why I keep coming back to it and live streaming, maybe something for the future Jeff😊

[@gfoz4465]

Zwift races are harder than any local race near me. It is a great way to keep us all humble. I would love to see you set up your Mike's Bikes team and try to compete in a race series!!

[@_Doodle-bob]

Absolutely, I’m actually surprised they don’t have a virtual team.

[@MrVizzle]

Smurfing on zwift now lol

[@woutervanderdoes5163]

Same thought here 😂 seems even worse than me smurfing SC2 as a kid

[@phezter]

He abandoned the races in D and C, so he didn't steal a win

[@drewbuffington]

Smurfing lmao… that’s so funny. Tell me you’re a gamer without telling me your a gamer 😂 Sandbagging is the common term lolol

[@jellystones72]

Watch the video... he quit those races

[@MrVizzle]

@@jellystones72 after showing them who's the boss, smurfing full time 24/7

[@andymiller54]

This was great! As a newer (6 months or so) zwift racer who watches your channel this was really fun to see you come over to zwift and talk strategy! Please more of this!

[@alexstancescu8663]

I like you commentating any type of race, so Zwift races will be interesting too!

[@notpogi]

Nice to see you trying this Jeff, would like to see you get the w in an A cat race - definitely give it another go 👍🏻

[@the_joe_reynolds_foundation]

When the B took that flier in the mixed race no A is gonna chase him down. It would be up to the remaining B’s in the pack. Or, you can always wait for Holden to go at 1km out. :)

[@mathewemden2068]

I love the zwift content. I have been doing a lot of Zwift races (group c). Learning the strategy from you is great!

[@svenstarson1908]

Hands down the best Zwift racing video. You nicely show only the interesting bits, cutting out the hours of treadmill boredom. Feel free to sprinkle in some Zwift races in the future.

[@doomguyzwifting]

Whose Zwift videos do you watch? 😂

[@forest7424]

I like the Zwift commentary. While we all do it for IRL racing gains, zwift racing fills the competitive gap midweek!

[@matthewsferrier]

More Zwift please!!

[@davidisonyt]

As a non-racing middle aged man who has somehow ended up in B cat it makes me feel way better to see even you find it fairly hard in B. I mostly just try to not be last.

[@thomasmoore4319]

Love to see this type of Zwift racing content Jeff-well done!

[@cornishcat11]

a nice change of video . really enjoyed watching , thanks

[@doomguyzwifting]

It’s funny, I started watching your channel years ago when I was getting into Zwift racing. When you were reviewing other people’s races I was tempted to send something to you but you didn’t do virtual… and now you’re here! 😂 If you want a challenge, it would be fun to watch you participate in the weekly Tiny Races.. 4 races back to back… look it up.

[@davidparrott2090]

nice efforts, would love to see more of this

[@MrD300]

As I too have started doing more Zwift racing I would love to see more of this. I am an older rider and live id a part of the country where not many races happen. So I turned to Zwift Racing to boost my fitness

[@johnvu8902]

Seriously love the commentary and learning about the strategies.

[@Divaka270]

win more A race's and Yes we like the commentary and all the tactics explained for Zwift

[@stylgen]

This was really interesting to watch for this channel. A nice change up

[@kestralrider313]

Jeff, you've probably figured out by now that the physics in zwift are not terribly realistic, but I do love zwift because it does have physics that try to replicate actual drafting and bike aerodynmics. I would recommend experimenting starting your sprints much earlier than the entrance of a green sprint segment; you want to be already "wound up" when entering the segment. When doing bunch sprints, try starting middle or further back as you wind up your speed instead of top 5 like a real crit. Since your avatar can physically ride right through riders, when you wind it up earlier, you get a slingshot effect because you're in the draft all the way passing through those other avatars; you're not "in the wind" when you move up through a group, I'm guessing they don't model riders as going around the group in the wind like you would in the real world.

[@Whim396]

Love this content haha, well put together. Not sure if it’s for everyone but I really enjoyed it

[@scottwatson8834]

Love it actually. Enjoying your efforts to interest you and us Jeff.

[@jasonholowka6386]

Loved watching the Zwift race commentary!

[@theupperechelon7634]

This is great. Especially when it's winter and so many people are riding Zwift races inside too. Keep it coming.

[@thestonebiker5316]

I love it when you commentate on the crit racing. It’s really good Listening to you commentate on the Zwift racing 🚴🏼keep it up its ace.

[@rosseverest9543]

Great to see you in a zwift race. As from what I’ve seen your very good at crit races irl. And also some tactics from that are coming in to play in game which is why zwift I think is so good for that. It’s seriously hard work even when you’re very fit because there’s so much stiff competition out there. I’d be happy to see more vids sure everyone else will too

[@sigfreed11]

This is the best video in a while! Love the online racing content since that is much more attainable for a lot of us!

[@alde1759]

Do this again. Way better than any race broadcast. Your commentary is amazing! I love Zwift racing too.

[@klcjr1]

I would truly enjoy watching you guys race again. Thanks

[@trust123500]

definitely loving it! please make more zwift content!

[@markmadeo6227]

awesome Zwift footage, keep it coming!

[@mathias8013]

Great content, these races are a lot of fun!

[@willwadden]

Great video Jeff. More of these!

[@dlvl86]

super cool! you guys should do more of this

[@DanielWisehart]

Yes, please do another Zwift race and commentary. Lots of fun.

[@pouxcs7153]

That was really cool video would love to see more Zwift vids

[@ImGlossy63]

Love to watch Zwift races. Never raced IRL, but do so in Zwift. More Zwift racing please!!

[@neonmorphic]

fun to see you learn the ways of zwift along the way.

[@Outrunner85]

Awesome, would love to see more zwift stuff.

[@andresdiaz3179]

Been following the channel over a year, this is my first comment. LOVE to see you in my world 😂 «slow is smooth, smooth is fast» apply here too Jeff, its called draft 😂 Keep it coming 💪

[@CyndyRehberg]

Fun video! Would love to see more.

[@derekbroussard]

This was great. Hope to see more of zwift commentary races here

[@31337zor]

Zwift rocks!!

[@xXSgtJackXx]

Great video! Love the fact that you didnt want to steal a win from somebody in the category, its a small thing but really shows your character Jeff

[@danielvanderklok8138]

Would love to see another. I love learning from strategy. I started Zwift this fall and am now racing B. I have a lot to learn in craft as well as more strength to gain. But When I see that I got beat by people with significantly less power I know I should have raced smarter. But I am learning. Out door riding is just around the corner here in Michigan I am excited to see how the winter training affected my abilities.

[@reactionsok]

More please! Fun to see your breakdowns

[@dregm]

This was great please keep this type of content !

[@Cypress1983]

I use Zwift racing as intervals in the winter and nothing more. A few years ago I was racing at a decently-high level (successfully, I might add), with a 5.6W/kg FTP and getting absolutely *demolished* in Zwift races. I remember going up the Epic KOM in an A race and holding over 7W/kg for almost 4 minutes while watching half of the field ride away from me like I was in Z2. Who knew there was so many undiscovered World Tour riders in the virtual world 😂

[@alleywatson]

Loved this Jeff

[@RoyImahara]

I’m addicted to Zwift racing. Knowing the course and learning some Zwift specific techniques is the key to doing well

[@_PhinneyWood_]

love love love these videos please do more zwift in the off season or between outdoor races lol

[@Dan_Stagg]

Really enjoyed this. Thank you. Would be interesting to see how your tactics change when on routes with longer climbs.

[@jeremya446]

Loved the Zwift content!

[@craigpalin685]

Fantastic!! Really enjoyed this. As a Cat D racer I love all your tips. Thanks

[@Freerider93]

So you enjoyed him sandbagging through different cats?

[@julcerin]

🎉🎉 please more videos on Zwift!!! I love racing at Zwift!

[@pieterboshoff2982]

Inlike the commentary amd the racing. Super nice

[@BVIGrockle]

just started zwift racing this year. great fun although finding it hard to improve... i will persevere!

[@DoctorWho_1979]

"Game on man, Game On!" . The addition of dabbling in Zwift racing is brilliant! Looking forward to more in the future!

[@AndrewBunner]

More Zwift races! Love these

[@scottheitmanmarinesurvey3557]

Watch the second stage Zwift Game elite for a master class in zwift racing, and the Polish Gambit winning move

[@Cat4NCCyclist-ui6io]

Such a big fan of Will being on the channel

[@kconnnnn]

Keep the zwift content coming!

[@leezavarise]

I appreciate you exiting the game in the D and C. Zwift categories. A,B,C,D are power based so the D racers may have a ton of experience they just don't have high w/kg.

[@liamkaloy]

Zwift has many advantages over traditional racing. Its a lot cheaper, 100% safe - no crashes, less stress, great accessibility (no need to travel 300 miles or fly to a reace), weather independent and most important you can competete daily not only with local riders but with riders all over the world so there will be always worthy opponents to challenge. Two major downsides are ease of cheating, not only by simply providing invalid data in the profile but also more advances software/hardware cheating. The other is obious lack of any bike handling skills required - and this is maybe not a huge but a major factor in real crit racing. That is why Zwift it will never replace crit racing and best Zwift rdiders will never win a real crit race and best real crit riders might not win swift races. Its like comparing real F1 race using real bolids VS racing using F1 simulators.

[@KonnoOC]

It would be great to see more Zwift races and commentary!!

[@GrannyG456]

Great video! Would love to see you race in actual zwift league races… jumping in random races is fun but typically not the highest quality of racers etc…also you should try a race against some A+/ elite athletes…Category A is just the beginning of the pain lol

[@jimmynickelz]

Using momentum on those downhill rollers before the sprint in Crit city is a great way to gain an advantage. Nice job.

[@TimothySlattery]

More of these please! Love my zwift

[@dadlife8289]

I recently started racing Zwift in the D class. Its so much fun and i love trying different strategies. I hope it translates to real racing

[@BobbyChombo]

Thanks was a fun watch!

[@nate5253]

One of ur best vids yet JEFF, make more like this it was enjoyable

[@JackButlerVideos]

More zwift! Loved the video!

[@phil_d]

Fantastic content Jeff! I'm a real 'noobie', starting on Zwift in November. I have won a couple of Cat Ds, but the turnout was say, a dozen riders or so. I just don't have the longevity as yet for the big bunch races. However, it is great fun! Ride On!

[@chivacetana]

I love it. Being more Zwift!

[@BigTscycling]

I love watching these!

[@StephanieLuff]

This was a lot of fun, definitely something different!

[@juliojimenezgrez]

Love this video!

[@briananderson3732]

Love the Zwift racing!

[@digamondvonn]

Absolutely! This content was fun 😂

[@craigsmith5134]

Nice man, really puts into perspective your fitness vs somebody like me. Just started zwift a month before winter an made it up to cat b so far. Seen an FTP increase from 230w to 275w in that time. Kudos to you for dropping out of those C and D races. Those guys work hard there, sandbagging is really rampant in zwift.

[@doomguyzwifting]

Congrats on your increase, great effort!

[@toranmacleod]

Zwift is a game. Yeah fitness helps, but you’ll need to play more to get better. Tactics and play are totally than outside. Super fun, enjoy!

[@roadcyclist1]

This was fun to see. Also, i recommend getting the controllers for your bike to steer in game. Adds to the realism.

[@doomguyzwifting]

It’s a good call!

[@scottheitmanmarinesurvey3557]

That C ride was perfect for the steam roller

[@xCELESTIALNEONBLASTx]

loved the video lol, definitely attempt another A race and commentate!!

[@fougie81]

I like these, I do a lot of Zwift races (C). They are good fun for sure!

[@connerburton2123]

That was great stuff!

[@EdwinFGroby]

KEEP it COMING!

[@IiILenoy]

Really nice content!

[@walidamk5]

Great video !

[@jpjipperwong]

One thing I've learned is that with the dynamics in zwift a longer sprint is rewarded. You could have cannons for 200 m but if someone is sprinting from 500 or 800 at a slightly lower power. You can pass but someone who races more can correct me if that's changed 😂

[@doomguyzwifting]

I tend to agree that sprints start further out in Zwift… also depending on your trainer there is a big of lag between putting the power down and it reflecting in game.