Last year, Zwift was the hub for ANZAC Day competition, as many of the in-person ANZAC Day Classic cycling races were cancelled due to COVID-19.
This year, the outlook for local club ANZAC Day Classics is more positive, but the home of the Trans-Tasman rivalry is on Zwift.
Last year saw some of the top riders in the world turn out alongside a cast of hundreds to compete in the Zwift ANZAC Day Classic.
Together with AusCycling and Cycling New Zealand Zwift is aiming to bring the local cycling community together online to support and pay tribute to the sacrifice of the ANZAC troops in the major conflicts since both country's independence.
Participants will be able to march their way across Watopia’s shores in honour of the ANZACs, with a choice of a Long or Short course across the Volcano Climb After Party course, by joining either “A” or “C” group to represent the Aussies (Australian National Jersey) or “B” or “D” for New Zealand (New Zealand national Jersey).
Long Course (A/B): Volcano KOM (Hilly route)
Short Course (B/D): Watopia Waistband Reverse. (Flat route)
Start time: 9:00am (AEST)
Like a traditional Gran Fondo participants will be able to race or ride with mates; however, in deciding to complete this ride it shows and pay respects to the ANZACs. You can sign up here and check out the event details.
For those unable to log on to compete on the day, there will be a highlights package coming out that will feature on The World of Zwift with a voice over from Matthew Keenan.
In addition to the ANZAC Day classic, Zwift has also confirmed the return of the AusCycling Zwift NRS Esports Series. The racing, which proved a hit last year, pits the best of the National Road Series teams against each other.
The men and women's races saw some fascinating competition last year, with a number of different winners over the varied events.
AusCycling and Zwift will be bringing a five-round, six-race series to the 2021 AusCycling National Road Series (NRS) calendar.
After a successful 2020 series, the 'eNRS' back to improve on last year's series and continue to grow esports cycling discipline.
This year there will be the added attraction of the 'Recon Rides' ahead of the event proper, where members of the public can join NRS teams in checking out the course ahead of the event, before watching the cream of the domestic cycling crop going flat out.
If you need much more proof on the power of the combination of Zwift and the NRS, you can check out the impressive debut of 2020 Zwift Academy winner Jay Vine at the Tour of Turkey recently.
Dates:
May 23, 2021: Round #1 (x2 stages)
June 6, 2021: Round #2
June 20, 2021: Round #3
July 11, 2021: Round #4
July 25, 2021: Round #5
