Zwift

Zwift is a massively multiplayer online cycling and running physical training program that enables users to interact, train and compete in a virtual world.[1] The company responsible for Zwift, Zwift Inc., was cofounded by Jon Mayfield, Eric Min, Scott Barger and Alarik Myrin in California, United States, in 2014.[2][3] The Zwift game was released in its beta version in September 2014[4] and became a paid product with a fee of $10 per month in October 2015.[5]

Company logo

Zwift allows players to ride their bicycles on stationary trainers while navigating through virtual worlds. Players may cycle freely around the game world and join organized group rides, races, or workouts with other users. Zwift uses ANT+ or Bluetooth Low Energy technologies to transmit data that, in combination with athlete weight and equipment choices, is used to convert the athlete's efforts as speed and power (watts). "Smart" trainers, which include a built-in power meter, permit accuracy in the measurement of watts as well as enabling an immersive technology experience, where resistance is applied or lessened to simulate the gradient encountered on the virtual course. Zwift estimates the power of users on conventional trainers via the user's cadence and the power curve of a wide range of specified trainers.

Zwift was originally available only for users with personal computers. In December 2016 Zwift launched on iOS,[6] and in November 2017, the application became available via Apple TV.[7] Zwift also includes a mobile app which allows users to change direction, take screenshots, communicate via messaging, use power-ups and follow other athletes.[8] As of January 2018, there were over 550,000 accounts.[9]

In December 2018, Zwift raised a Series B investment of $120 million: the investment round was led by Highland Europe, an English investment company.[10] The CEO Eric Min announced the money would be spent on categories expansion, including eSports tournaments and further development of Zwift Run.[11][12] Zwift ranked fifth in Fast Company's 2019 Most Innovative Companies (Sports Sector).[13][14]

In September 2020, Zwift raised a $450 million minority investment led by investment firm KKR. The funds will be used to push the development of Zwift's core software platform and bring Zwift-designed hardware to market.[15]

Early history

In 2012/13 Eric Min had recently sold his previous company, Sakonnet Technology.[16] Min, a lifelong cyclist, found himself confined to riding indoors, and dissatisfied with current interactive options, he believed he could improve on them by "making cycling social".[17] Around this time, Min saw an online post by programmer Jon Mayfield describing a "3D trainer program" he was developing as a hobby project. Min promptly contacted Mayfield, making arrangements to fly to Los Angeles to speak to him; the two agreed to co-found a company around the project.[18]

Beta

The first virtual world, Jarvis Island, was released as an invite-only beta product on September 30, 2014.[19] The product proved unexpectedly popular, and more than 13,000 applications were received for 1,000 beta places.[20] The launch took place simultaneously in Rapha Clubhouses in London, New York City and San Francisco.[21] By May 2015 Zwift had moved into open beta.[22] A virtual version of the Richmond (Virginia) 2015 UCI Road World Championships Course was introduced on September 3, 2015.[23]

On October 30, 2015, Zwift launched as a fully fledged product with a $10 monthly subscription fee.[24]

Worlds

There are ten worlds, or maps, in Zwift.[25] Only one is always available: Watopia, a fictitious island, which has seen some of its expansions lean into fantasy, including dinosaurs and riding into an active volcano. This world also includes a recreation of the famous Alpe d'Huez climb. Seven worlds are rotated according to a predetermined schedule. They are:

The last two worlds can only be accessed as part of a scheduled event: Bologna, which recreates the opening time trial of the 2019 Giro d'Italia; and Crit City, which is available for short, criterium-style races.

Community

As of October 2019, Zwift had more than 240,000 fans on the social media site Facebook. Facebook chief executive Mark Zuckerberg used the platform to help continue training after suffering a broken arm.[27] An article in La Velocita called the game's fans "Zwifters“.[28] An early partnership between Zwift and ride-sharing site Strava[29] has led to integration with Zwift rides being automatically uploaded to Strava if users enable the function. The first documented Zwift race was held March 3, 2015 organized through Facebook and modeled after weeknight race-riding, a common community event in the road racing subculture of cycling.[30] One of the earliest groups to offer established racing on Zwift was KISS, which started races in late 2015 and had grown by 2018 to become one of the largest organizers on the platform.[31]

Zwift Academy

Cycling

In early 2016 Zwift launched the Zwift Academy program, which utilises the platform to test would-be riders for their suitability for professional bicycle racing. In the inaugural competition, 1,200 cyclists entered, with former marathon runner Leah Thorvilson being crowned the winner and securing a contract with the Canyon–SRAM team for 2017.[32] The Academy expanded for 2017, adding a men's competition: that year the women's competition was won by ex-triathlete Tanja Erath, who finished first in a field of 2,100 entrants and won a contract with Canyon-SRAM for 2018,[33] whilst the first men's competition was won by former speed skater Ollie Jones, who beat 9,200 other cyclists to secure a place with the Dimension Data for Qhubeka team.[34] The Academy initially centers on an eight-week training program incorporating 16 events, with interval training and virtual group rides and races, before ten riders are selected for the semi-final stage and then a final three are chosen to compete against each other in real life.[35]

Triathlon

In 2018, the Zwift Academy talent identification concept was expanded to include the sport of triathlon.[36] Four athletes were selected to the Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team; Rachael Norfleet (USA), Geert Janssens (Belgium), Golo Philippe Röhrken (Germany), Bex Rimmington (United Kingdom).[37]

eSports Professional Cycling League

In 2019, Zwift appointed Craig Edmondson as CEO at Zwift Esports, and has produced two e-race series events, participants were professional athletes competing on the platform.[38]

The 2019 debut of a professional cycling eSports League (KISS Super League) which was announced back in late 2018,[39] with the participation of four UCI Continental men's professional cycling teams confirmed: Team Wiggins Le Col, Canyon–SRAM, Hagens Berman Axeon and Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka U23.[40]

In 2020 due to the Tour de France being postponed because of COVID-19 pandemic[41] Zwift was used to host a virtual Tour.[42]

In December 2020 the first ever UCI Cycling Esports World Championship was held on Zwift.[43]

References
  1. Tilin, Andrew (19 September 2016). "Boredom Is Indoor Cycling's Biggest Enemy. Can Zwift Defeat It?". Outside Online.
  2. Bailey, Mark (3 November 2017). "Zwift: the story behind the indoor cycling phenomenon". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235 – via www.telegraph.co.uk.
  3. Petri, Jon (24 February 2017). "This Technology Makes Riding a Bike Indoors a Lot Less Awful". Bloomberg.com.
  4. "Zwift launches multiplayer online training videogame". BikeRadar. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  5. "Strava and Zwift take the edge off winter training". BikeRadar. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  6. "Zwift for iOS available now". Zwift Insider. 2016-12-10. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  7. "Zwift Releases Apple TV App: Everything you need to know | DC Rainmaker". www.dcrainmaker.com. 2017-11-20. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  8. Atkinson, Dave (27 November 2017). "Video: how to use your phone as a Zwift controller". Retrieved 30 December 2017.
  9. Bonnington, Christina (2018-01-01). "Indoor Cycling Is No Longer Excruciatingly Boring". Slate. ISSN 1091-2339. Retrieved 2018-01-17.
  10. Reid, Carlton. "Cycling's World Governing Body To Host Zwift-Themed Esport Version Of World Championships In 2020". Forbes. Retrieved 2019-10-06.
  11. "Zwift, which turns indoor cycling workouts into multiplayer games, raises $120M". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2018-12-19.
  12. Ogus, Simon (21 Dec 2018). "Zwift Raises $120M To Expand Its Virtual Cycling Technology To Esports". Forbes. Retrieved 6 Jan 2019.
  13. "2019: The most innovative companies - honorees by sector". fastcompany.com. Mansueto Ventures, LLC. 2019. Retrieved 23 Feb 2019.
  14. "Zwift: Most Innovative Companies". fastcompany.com. Mansueto Ventures, LLC. 2019. Retrieved 23 Feb 2019.
  15. "Zwift, maker of a popular indoor training app, just landed a whopping $450 million in funding led by KKR". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2020-09-17.
  16. "Sakonnet Technology, LLC: Private Company Information - Bloomberg". www.bloomberg.com. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  17. "Zwift | News - CEO Eric Min shares his story". Zwift. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  18. "Zwiftcast - Episode One - How to listen - Zwiftcast". Zwiftcast. 2015-11-29. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  19. "Software startup blends gaming and riding". Bicycle Retailer and Industry News. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  20. "Zwift beta receives 13,000 sign-ups - have you made the list? - Cycling Weekly". Cycling Weekly. 2014-10-13. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
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  22. "Zwift online training game now open to all | Cyclingnews.com". Cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
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  25. "Zwift Worlds and Cycling Routes". support.zwift.com. Retrieved 2020-11-16.
  26. "Zwift rolls out first real-world course: UCI 2015 Road World Championships in Richmond | DC Rainmaker". www.dcrainmaker.com. 2015-09-02. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  27. Shivakumar, Felicia. "Zwift merges indoor fitness with massive multi-player online gaming". TechCrunch. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  28. "What type of Zwifter are you?". LA VELOCITA. Retrieved 2018-01-03.
  29. "Strava and Zwift take the edge off winter training". BikeRadar. Retrieved 2018-01-04.
  30. https://www.facebook.com/events/1538308096433629/
  31. "Indoor cycling apps compared: which is best for you? - Cycling Weekly". Cycling Weekly. 2018-01-05. Retrieved 2018-01-18.
  32. Glass, Aoife (1 August 2017). "Zwift Academy transforms a rider from amateur to pro with Canyon//SRAM". cyclingnews.com. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  33. "Zwift Academy winner Tanja Erath earns Canyon-SRAM contract". cyclingnews.com. 8 January 2018. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  34. "Kiwi Jones selected as Zwift Academy winner". sbs.com.au. 22 November 2017. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  35. Bonnington, Christina (18 August 2018). "The Unusual Contest That Gives Everyday Cyclists a Chance at Going Pro". Slate. Retrieved 18 August 2018.
  36. "Zwift and Specialized join forces to launch Triathlon Academy". Triathlon Magazine Canada. 1 Mar 2018. Retrieved 6 Jan 2019.
  37. "Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team announced". endurancebusiness.com. endurancebusiness.com. 24 Apr 2018. Retrieved 6 Jan 2019.
  38. "Zwift and UCI announce first e-world championships for 2020". 2019-09-27.
  39. Cohen, Andrew (17 Dec 2018). "Virtual Fitness Platform Zwift Launches First Esports League for Pro Cycling". Retrieved 6 Jan 2019.
  40. Dawson, Andrew (14 Dec 2018). "Zwift Creates Professional E-Sports Cycling League: THE FOUR TEAMS AND COUNTING WILL COMPETE FOR THE FIRST TIME LIVE IN JANUARY". Bicycling. Retrieved 6 Jan 2019.
  41. "Tour de France set to be postponed amid coronavirus pandemic". BBC Sport. Retrieved 14 April 2020.
  42. https://www.letour.fr/en/virtual-tour-de-france
  43. "2020 UCI Cycling eSports World Championships". Zwift. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
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