Absolute Rock Star @Covi 
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@Coach_Theia i did the same thing out of the gate and ended up with the FTS. Came close on subsequent laps but couldn’t get another into the top 5.
The start broke up the D-Dev group which included myself and @PaleGail I know she’s been working on her TT so I tried to hang as much as I could. The climb is not my friend but I did set a PR on it. After the climb on lap 1 both Gail and myself were out in front at the turn onto champions. Gail, true to form, held her pace and I focused on survival to gain as many points as I could. All but 2 FAL for the race were either myself or her. I kept watching the riders behind me (at 1 point it was 3 from the same team) and focused on holding position versus going for segment points. Used my knowledge of the course and gained time where I could
Decently spent most of the race Z3/Z4 with micro breaks where I could. Overall I was happy with my 2nd place and my time would have placed me in top 15 for the D race
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My tactic was to try to stay with the lead group for as long as possible and try to pick up some FAL points on the sprints without going so hard that I would blow up. I got dropped on the downhill after the Clyde kicker on lap 4. I was with the last riders on the climb and they took off like a rocket on the downhill. I would have had to sprint to get back on. My focus from there was to just try to maintain my race position for the rest of the race. I did ease up a couple of times to join individual riders, but again they dropped me on the downhill after the climb. They were just stronger than me on the climb and I couldn’t get back on during the descent. I finished mid-pack which is probably about right for my fitness level at the moment - particularly my ability to recover from short hard efforts. I am in the regular D division but really still need to be in the Development division. I’m hoping to switch back to that in the next round.
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@janesimmonds You are doing so well and working very hard! You are an inspiration to me. (I think you belong in the regular division as you keep getting stronger week by week!) Keep up the good work!!!
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Wow I am super proud of how you all raced! You chose growth strategies and did not pull the parachute!
@Gossimrr Coming off two weeks sick and still holding the front group is huge. HR spikes after illness are totally normal. Your fitness is clearly still strong.
@laurasibson You did focus on the right things! Effort on the segments, regroup when possible, that’s how you learn the ZRL game. Category transitions just mean progress.
@vivian.a.workman Beautiful tactical shift mid-race. When FTS wasn’t the best strategy anymore, you locked in the position defense and delivered big for the team. And bonus PR on the climb!!
@janesimmonds Your strategy was spot-on: stay with the leaders, grab sprint FAL when available, then defend your result. Getting popped on the kicker descent is super common, the speed differential is massive if you’re even slightly gapped at the top. The way you managed the rest of the race and kept fighting for position is how you do it!
@Covi Targeting those early FAL points was spot on for that course and something I should have done too. Fuel next time and you’ll have even more punch late. Did you have any carbs in your bottle? I had 50g of carbs in bottle + 2 gels and 1 bag of gummies (10 laps so longer than yours), you probably didn’t need as much, but at least 40-60g/hr in a race. It’s crazy how going ALL out on every sprint completely drains the glycogen. You earned every point you brought in for the team!
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Is anyone doing the Fearless race on Saturday?
I didn’t think I should. I’m still not 100% so I didn’t plan on racing.
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Right now yes. Thankful that my pen doesn’t include the KOM.
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Yes I’m doing Fearless. Does this substitute for the 90 minute workout @Coach_Theia ?
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yes for sure
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I’m thinking about it… I’ll see how I feel Saturday morning and decide if I want to race or do a workout.
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You know you will want to race @Covi lol
I was not a fan of Tues course but we needed the people. I’m lucky to be in D Dev I’ve just about kicked myself out with my recent iTTs - i was a little worried Tues when i saw red on the climbs trying to stay in FTS which i didn’t but i’m still okay at least for now. Our start was faster than the other points race I was able to do i think because the 1st sprint was so close to the start - we had a little group going into Clyde the first time - @vivian.a.workman powered up that climb!!! Was so excited for her!! We managed to drop most everyone I think by the top of the 2nd climb - i wasn’t planning on really chasing FTS, definitely not on the spring and I know Vivian has an awesome sprint so I checked in if she wanted me to do any lead out and she said no just keep going so I focused on how far ahead we were so we were picking up the FAL - Vivian did awesome holding them off!
So i was in TT mode most of the rest of the race although i tried to get a better time on the climb the last 2 laps and then realized that the Dinos in 1-4 all had at least 2 times better than me oh well
in for Fearless - yay for no QOM!!!
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@Coach_Theia thank you for telling me I am still fit. I feel i’ve been struggling since covid. Today’s WO was ok. I still had issues but I wasn’t gasping for air and my HR is recoving. I’m hoping this is it and 2026 will strat off much healthier.
Another thing I wanted to say about racing is, when you are a lighter rider, which I am but find it hard to believe, you tend to put out more watts just to keep up with others. I don’t get to “rest” on downhills. My average was 2.5 w/kg but the women ahead of me averaged 2.2 w/kg. I may be going at 2.5 or more but it’s all I can do to hang with the front group. Yes, you can be a smart racer and use the draft, but there are some dynamics in zwift that just work against me. At least that’s my theory.
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This is 100% accurate in Zwift. On the flats and downhills, a lighter rider needs to put out more w/kg.
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Isn’t this the same outdoors? Meaning when I ride outside with Shawn on flat roads my w/kg are way higher than his, riding at the same speed. He weighs 200 lbs vs me 135.
Draft (and other simulations) in Zwift is obviously not perfect but when the weight discrepancy is big on flat roads (and downhills) the lighter rider will need to put way more watts to keep up.
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@Covi yes, it is of there is no drafting.
But even when I’m drafting him, I’m putting out more w/kg than he is just to stay on his wheel. Not the same w/kg as if I was riding next to him but still more than him
Conversely the heavier riders are at a major disadvantage on the climbs as in real life. To keep up I have to go above the lighter riders w/kg (hello France petit kom for a TTT). Yes there is some drafting but, depending on incline, I’m .5-1w/kg higher to just hang on. IRL the same people I easily drop on the flats do the same to me on the climbs
And don’t get me started on the Zwift glitch on the new NYC subway ramps. Zwift insider ran some tests and it’s insane the speed drop at the same w/kg.
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So what did everyone think of last nights race? For me it was 45’ of z3/z4 with sprints up the escalators (heavier rider and it was soooo evident the slow down) then vo2max for the climb.
The D group had a few who tried to breakaway but the top 20 kept in a group and quickly chased them down.
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