今日はZWIFTのレースGiant Crit Crushers - Week 4 - Race 2 (B) に参戦しました。
Giantのスポンサーだからなのか、11.7kmと距離が短いからなのか、カテゴリーBだけで142名という大人数のレースとなりました。
レースでは、ハイペースな先頭集団を無理して追わず、後続集団に粘り強く付いて行きました。
しかし、5%の上り区間で後続集団に千切られてしまい、その後の第3集団に付いてゆくのがやっと。。。
ゴール前のスプリント勝負では、余力がなくロクに踏み込むこともできずに順位を落とし、カテゴリーBで完走133人中105位という情けない結果に終わりました。
アベレージ233W（PWR 3.8w/kg）という結果は、それほど悪くはないと思うのですが、参加者のレベルが高かったのか、ZWIFT全体のレベルが底上げしているのか、とにかく私にはあまりにレベルが高過ぎたレースでした。
DESCRIPTION
Thinking about racing on Zwift? You’re in the right place. Racing is so fun and exciting, you barely realize that competing against fellow Zwifters is one of the best workouts you can get.
The Giant Crit Crushers is ideal for new racers, thanks to its duration: short! It’s great for experienced competitors as well. Each race is between 10 and 15 minutes.
And to double the fun, this series includes two races each week. Do both! They include a short break between the two.
ABOUT GIANT CRIT CRUSHERS
Back for its second year, Giant is helping out with this series of back-to-back competitions perfect for riders of all levels. This race series is as simple as it is satisfying.
Four weeks long.
Eight races total.
And the finish line is fun.
HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR GROUP
All races are grouped by how many watts/kilogram (w/kg) Zwifters can average for the duration. Newbies should probably start out at group D (1 - 2.4 w/kg). The fastest of the fast should register for group A (4+ w/kg). If you’ve raced before, you probably know your category, but there’s more info here.
There’s a race for everyone. And there's a break between each race--usually a little more than ten minutes—so you can grab some water, take a few breaths, and maybe even question your life choices: these might hurt! :)
Kidding aside, these breaks are also a great time to think strategy. How can you perform better? What can you learn from the last race? Did you use your PowerUps wisely?
The top 20 riders for each event earn points. Because more points means more fun.
One caveat: you need to be on ZwiftPower to earn points. Sign up well in advance. It’s free, but can take some time, so give yourself a few minutes.
ZwiftPower will level the playing field. If someone competes in the wrong category, they will not earn points. So be sure to choose well.
It’s all in the name of fairness, fitness, and fun. Get out there and crush your friends and your previous personal best.
I’M NEW, TELL ME MORE
Most races will last for 13 minutes, give or take. If you haven’t raced before, be ready to go hard from the start. The fastest part of most races are the start and the finish. Get dropped early on and it’s all but impossible to catch up.
Even if you're dropped, hang on. Due to the short duration, the end is in sight!
First-time racers benefit from a little preparation, by doing a bit of research. Give this a gander if you haven’t competed.
IS THIS A RACE?
You bet. This series is serving up four weeks of high-speed races across every level of ability.
UNLOCKS
Finish a race to unlock the official jerseys. Men will score the Giant jersey and women will snag the Liv jersey.
ABOUT GIANT
Giant is the world’s leading brand of high-quality bicycles and cycling gear. Part of the Giant Group, founded in 1972, the brand combines craftsmanship, technology, and innovative design.
Giant has long been one of cycling’s main catalysts for change. They introduced lighter, stronger aluminum frames at a time when the industry standard was steel. They were first to make carbon fiber bikes widely available to the world, defining the look and feel of modern road racing bikes with Compact Road technology.
Builders and innovators, Giant is a global community of cyclists. They’re athletes, adventurers,and advocates for cycling. We are Tour de France racers, singletrack explorers, neighbors, and friends.
Descpirtionを読む限り、レース初挑戦の選手向けに準備された短いレースということですが、果たして？？
コースは、London Classiqueを1周（距離11.1km、標高170m）のフラットコースです。
本当は、その前のGiant Crit Crushers - Week 4 - Race 1 (B)のほうに参戦するつもりだったのですが、バタバタしている間にスタートに間に合いませんでした。
レースに出る時はしっかり余裕を持たないとですね。。。
参加者はカテゴリーBで142人と大人数、これならドラフティングしやすそうですね。
全員Giantのバイクで統一なので、ホイールは久しぶりにZIPP808を選択して参戦。
レース終了後は、いつものとおりソファに倒れ込んでしばらく動けませんでした。
以下がラスト500mの動画です。
パワーアップアイテムをスプリントまで温存できなかったのと、ラストのスパートで力が出せなかったのが敗因です。
動画を見ると、周囲の選手も疲れが溜まっていたのか、レッドゾーンまで踏み込んだ猛チャージはほとんど見られませんでした。
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