After the popularity of partnership with the CANYON//SRAM racing team in 2016, Zwift will once again offer Zwift Academy, a program that offers amateur cyclists a shot at joining an elite team without leaving the house.
Through Zwift Academy, hundreds of undiscoverd cycling talents jockey for dominance by completing a series of more than 20 virtual trainer-based workouts, and are weeded out until one rider is left with a position on CANYON//SRAM. The workouts for the program—meant to develop and expand the women's racing community—include a variety of virtual group rides and a structured training program. (Get in shape to compete in this challenge—and any others you're angling to tackle—with our Get Fast! training program.)
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In the program's first season, elite-runner-turned-cyclist Leah Thorvilson won the team slot by crushing months of Zwift challenges, and a training camp with two finalists and the rest of CANYON//SRAM.
The next round of team challenges should open in June 2017, and the qualification phase will start in September. New for 2017 is a competitive virtual program known as 'eRacing,' through which contestants will advance to the the semi-final stage in November. Details about eRacing are still limited, and Bicycling has reached out for more information.
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One of the coolest things about Zwift Academy is that it's challenging the traditional course of a cyclist's career: Most riders start out with a local team, or a developmental team, in order to eventually achieve cycling greatness in the pro peloton. With Zwift Academy, amateurs with serious talent have an opportunity to skip the first chapters of their career and go right to the big leagues.
However, seeing elite dreams come true isn't the only amazing thing riders can get out of the program. Competitors will benefit even if they don’t win the contract, because after months on the trainer, they'll be in top-notch cycling shape with plenty of cyclist buddies around the world.
