Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Become a Member

Get access to more than 30 brands, premium video, exclusive content, events, mapping, and more.

Already have an account? Sign In

Brands

Events

VN Podcast: Inside Zwift racing with Leah Thorvilson and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio

WorldTour veteran Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio explains why she's embraced Zwift riding during the coronavirus shutdown.

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! Download the app.

Professional Zwift racing has arrived, with the start of the Zwift Classics pro/am series. These six races feature $5,000 in prize cash, short and challenging courses, and fields comprised of pro and top amateur riders.

So, what do you look for in a virtual race?

On this week’s episode of The VeloNews Podcast we take a deep dive into pro Zwift racing with two experts: Leah Thorvilson and Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio.

Leah Thorvilson won the inaugural Zwift Academy prize in 2016 and rode for Canyon-SRAM in 2017 and 2018. Photo: LC/Tim De Waele/Corbis via Getty Images

Leah Thorvilson was the first winner of the Zwift Academy talent search back in 2016, which earned her a pro contract to race with the Canyon-SRAM road squad. Thorvilson breaks down the similarities and differences between Zwift and IRL (in real life) bike racing, and discusses her own experiences in WorldTour-level road events.

Then, WorldTour veteran Ashleigh Moolman-Pasio explains why she’s embraced Zwift riding during the coronavirus shutdown. Moolman-Pasio won the most recent Zwift Classics event, and it came after she dedicated herself to a month of training on the online platform. Why is she racing indoors, and how has it changed her riding style? We find out.

This week’s episode is sponsored by Giordana Cycling, makers of fine Italian cycling apparel. Right now fans of the podcast can get 25 percent off their purchase by clicking here and entering the code PODCAST at purchase.