Zwift Academy reopens for 2023 -two professional contracts are on the line
The six-ride, two-race series will run from November 6 through December 17. Contracts with CANYON//SRAM Generation and Alpecin-Deceuninck Development Team on offer
![Zwift Academy 2023](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iSmgFr4JgSbbAUQGfxD2cf-415-80.jpg)
![Kristin Jenny](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MWbxU4fW2ptyLuVg2ka4UV.jpg)
Zwift Academy, the indoor cycling platform's “ultimate challenge” is now open for registration.
Started in 2016, Zwift Academy is a training program consisting of six workouts (each with a long and short ride option) and two races on the Zwift platform, which this year will take place from November 6 to December 17.
According to the company, Zwift Academy is one of Zwift’s most popular events, and for good reason - it is not only a fun way for Zwifters to ride and race together to cap off the year, it is also a talent identification pipeline used to discover young cyclists with great promise.
This year, Zwift Academy is offering female Zwift Academy riders the chance to earn a contract with CANYON//SRAM Generation, the development team for CANYON//SRAM Racing. Male participants have the chance to earn a contract with Alpecin-Deceuninck’s development team, as well.
Several Zwift Academy participants have gone on to race on the WorldTour including last year's winenrs Luca Vergallito (Alpecin-Deceuninck) and Ricarda Bauernfeind. Other alumni include Jay Vine (UAE), Ollie Jones (Dimension Data) and Ella Harris, Neve Bradbury and Tanja Erath who all raced for Canyon//SRAM.
Those looking to fight for these coveted opportunities must wear a heart rate monitor for all Zwift Academy activities and must choose the “long” option for all of six Zwift Academy rides.
Fortunately, you do not need to be jonesing for a professional contract in order to enjoy the Zwift Academy - anyone with a Zwift account can sign up.
The six workouts range between are 60-90 minutes for the "long" version and less than an hour for the "short" option. They will work on “explosive anaerobic workouts to strengthen your sprinting skills…to endurance-focused workouts that will improve your aerobic efficiency,” according to Zwift.
The six workouts are on-demand and can be completed at any time during the November 6 through December 17 window. There will be organized group workout options, too, for riders who want to tackle the Academy with others in real time.
The two races are a mix of sprinting power and the ability to recover quickly from bursts of climbing strength. Race one is two laps for a total of 14.2km and 59m of simulated elevation gain and race two is three laps for a total of 9.2km and 159m of simulated elevation gain.
To keep things interesting, participants in Zwift Academy can earn exclusive in-game unlocks such as the Zwift Academy kit after the first activity, Zwift Academy cap after three activities, an aero helmet after a Zwift Academy race, and a special Zwift Academy bike paint job after all eight activities are complete.
“This year’s Zwift Academy will make you faster and help you cope better with that lactate burn,” says Dan Fleeman at Dig Deep Coaching, the coaching team behind the Zwift Academy workouts. “We have designed a challenging programme which will test every energy system to the limit. So if you are looking to improve your times on local climbs, race on Zwift, progress to the professional Peloton or just become a stronger cyclist, there is something for everyone.”
Register for Zwift Academy here.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
![Kristin Jenny](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MWbxU4fW2ptyLuVg2ka4UV.jpg)
Kristin Jenny is an elite triathlete based near Boulder, Colorado. Although most of her time is spent in aerobars somewhere in the mountains, she finds time to enjoy eating decadent desserts, hiking with her husband and dog, and a good true crime podcast.
-
Rohan Dennis charged with causing death by dangerous driving following death of wife Melissa Hoskins - reports
Hoskins, the two-time Olympian, was killed in a car crash on Saturday
By Adam Becket Published
-
GripGrab Women’s Windbuster Windproof Lightweight Vest review - minimalist design executed well
A two-zipper and a mesh rear panel really help aid temperature regulation and work excellently with the front windshield
By Anna Marie Abram Published
-
Zwift cyclist climbs equivalent of 138 Everests in a year
Keith Roy has broken an unofficial climbing record, totting up over 4 million feet this year
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Zwift avatars will no longer be dependent on athlete's profile gender in latest update
New faces for avatars will be available across this winter, along with updates to the Zwift Companion App and a return of the Tour de Zwift
By Adam Becket Published
-
23.2 million viewers watched the Tour de France Femmes live in 2022
A new report by Nielson Sports measures the positive impact the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift has had on the sport's growth.
By Anne-Marije Rook Published
-
Motherhood or an athletic career? An impossible choice no more thanks, in part, due to the rise of esports
With the rise of virtual cycling esports, world-class female endurance athletes no longer have to compromise motherhood and a professional career.
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
55,500 Miles Going Nowhere: Confessions of an Unapologetic Zwift Indoor Specialist
An avid cyclist explains why, after years of logging thousand of miles cycling outside and even crossing the United States by bike, he's moved to the virtual world of Zwift.
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
Two epic Zwift records were set in three days
Records for most consecutive team time trails and a sub-three hour 150km ride were set in January
By Christopher Schwenker Published
-
From straight-A student to Zwift Academy winner: Alex Morrice on her rise to the pro ranks
The 22-year-old rode her first road race in June, now she’s gearing up to join WorldTour team Canyon-Sram
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Zwift announces Academy winners who will join pro teams in 2023
Alex Morrice and Luca Vergallito have both won pro contracts for next season
By Tom Davidson Published