Okay so if any of you follow me on Instagram (or have made your way here from my Insta – hi if you have!), you’ll be aware that last week I had some really exciting news…
Following an e-racing series put on by Movistar, I have been selected as a member of their e-racing squad for the rest of 2021. This is a hugely exciting opportunity, and I’m over the moon that all my hard work has paid off. I’ve spent a lot of time indoors on the turbo over the winter, really focussing on increasing my power output and physical efficiency. For my progress to be recognised in this way is more than I could have imagined, and I’m optimistic that it will springboard me forwards with what I want to achieve out on the road both in cycling and triathlon!
Now the news is out of the way, I want to talk you through the selection process and what you can expect over the next couple of months. I was posting race reviews on my Instagram, so I will copy them across to here to really build the Movistar selection story (and relive some of the pain!).
But first, a word on verification. “Lying” about your weight on Zwift is pretty commonplace and riders are very rarely held accountable (you are usually only cheating yourself, as the saying goes). And there are always conversations about power reading differently on different devices. However, the level of racing that I am doing requires a weigh in within 24 hours of the race start; the weigh in is calibrated by weighing a weight, videoed and submitted to ZADA. We then need to update our weight on Zwift and Zwift power (which is also checked by ZADA). Before we even race, we have a verification ride to do (The Three Sisters Course) which is dual recorded, filmed and uploaded to YouTube before being submitted to ZADA along with our power bests out on the road. Every race we do at this level needs to be dual recorded and submitted on Zwift Power. All of this creates a profile for each rider, so ZADA are able to analyse the results and power profiles of each rider in each race to determine whether the turbo is misreading or the data has been manipulated. Basically, it’s as fair as it’s ever going to be. It also gives me huge confidence in my performances; I’ve had queries about my power before, but I’ve now have 2 turbos and 2 on bike power meters all reading the same thing, so I think it might be real…
Onwards.
The series….
The first two rounds happened on consecutive weeks, and each round had two races. We were awarded points based on our finish position, and the top 30 riders in round 1 followed by the top 20 riders in round 2 advanced. As well as these races, the majority of the riders were also racing in the ZRL PL on Monday nights, so 3 races a week for 2 weeks was pretty big!
I had entered the Series with the aim to get more race experience and, if I was on form, qualify through to the finals. I’d had a similar aim for the Zwift Road Academy before Christmas, and failed to get through, so I wasn’t expecting much! The standard of the top female Zwift riders is high, and it’s a privilege to get to race them.
Race 1: Watopia Hilly (3 laps) 45.5km
Yesterdays race was 🔥 & 🌶!
For anyone familiar with Zwift, the course took us up the Hilly KOM 5 times. For those that aren’t; it was basically 5 x 2 minute big efforts with about 10 minutes of slightly more civilised racing in-between 😅 I have no doubt that a few weeks ago I’d have been dropped pretty early on; however yesterday I found myself pushing to split the group in the second lap, stayed with the front for all of the climbs and hit a new 15 second power best to take 4th over the line!
Zwift racing gets a bad rap, and yes I am aware it by no means translates directly to riding outside, but progress is progress and I’m loving the chance to race and test myself a bit more frequently 🤩
There’s nowhere to hide on Zwift, and I think that’s why I love it so much.
The next race of this series is Friday, and it includes a ~25 minute mountain climb which I am much more excited for than yesterday’s power efforts 🙃
The first race of the series HURT. Like a lot. I also took it upon myself to split up the group in the second lap, setting a new 1 minute power best up the KOM (which definitely made me suffer big time in subsequent laps). But, tactically, it worked, and the smaller pack stayed away making the sprint less competitive. Sprinting is a weakness of mine, so if I can split the group early then I will almost always try to. It’s not always possible, sometimes the course just doesn’t allow for it, but this one did.
A new 1 minute best, a new 15 second best, and a 4th place. It was a great way to start the series!
Race 2: Muir and the Mountain (1 lap) 39km
This race didn’t get a report on my Instagram, but rest assured it’s etched into my memory… This hurt.
Heading through the Titans Grove at the start, the pack stuck together like glue. It was a good opportunity to recce what the finish would look like (we would come back over these roads to finish at the top of the climb) but everyone was measuring their efforts, knowing we were about to race up the Epic KOM and Radio Tower. For those unfamiliar with Zwift, to give you an idea, my pb up the Epic is almost 20 minutes and it’s another 5 minutes up to the Radio Tower. You also get dropped fast on climbs, so having something in the legs was mandatory.
Unsurprisingly, the field split almost immediately as we hit the main climb, and a group of 6 of us (I think?) got away. A large portion of the climb is actually draftable, but unsurprisingly I sat on or near the front for the majority to grind it out (my preference). The game was to see who had the most left in their legs at the top of the Epic to take on the Radio Tower. Katheryn Curi played an absolute blinder and sprinted hard up the first 15 seconds or so and there was no way I could hold her wheel. I’m still in awe of that move, it was phenomenal. I chose to sit on pace and try and crawl my way back. Very quickly, everyone was racing solo. We got to the top with Katheryn about 10 seconds ahead, and myself in second. Flying down the descent in super tuck was only interrupted by huge sprint efforts every time the elevation change to try and make up some precious seconds. When we hit the flat, Curi and I were perfectly matched in power, meaning I just could not crawl back any time. It was a phenomenal race and pushed me to my absolute limit. Coming away with 2nd place was huge, I also set a 5 minute power best, and it was a pleasure to be locked into such an intense battle with Katheryn!
Race 3: Beach Island Loop (3 laps) 38.4km
Another race and another result to boost a bit of confidence 🥳
I’ll admit I was nervous about last night. If I’ve learned one thing over the last 20 odd years in sport its that I have to work seriously hard to sprint. I can work hard for a long time, but my top end power and speed is something that has always been lacking. Yes I was always that swimmer who would go out in a 100m pb in a 200m race, and race slower over 100m the following day 🙄 and don’t get me started on my erg power 😅
So I’ve put in the work in the short sprints on the bike. There is still a way to go, but coming through the field to finish 4th in yesterday’s bunch sprint is proof that things are moving in the right direction! Bunch sprints on Zwift are so unpredictable; I’m much more excited about Fridays hill climb 😂
I’d been caught out on sprints in the ZRL, so was putting in a big effort to improve (and still am!). This was my first sense that my sprint ability was heading in the right direction, as were my race tactics; I’d known exactly when to attack on each lap to string out the pack and put everyone under pressure. All the previous races had a reduced pack coming to the line, but this was the first course that, by and large, had a peloton rolling around together. It was probably the most nervous I had been (a mistimed sprint is near impossible to salvage), but ultimately I was extremely pleased to sprint to 4th from the pack!
Race 4: Mountain 8 (1 lap) 32km
Woweeee its been a big 2 weeks of virtual cycling and today I am feeling cooked! 3 races a week, all about a hour in length, against some of the best women in the virtual world.
I’ve loved *almost* every second although last Mondays race up the volcano was definitely a dark moment 😅 however yesterday was awesome. Without a doubt the most fun I’ve had in a race yet. It was the final race in Round 2 of the Movistar series and a group of 3 of us managed to cling to each other to get over the top of the climb. Given the nature of the course, a group was far better than being solo (it was completely flat to the line) so we managed to settle into TTT style rotations after the fast & furious descent to keep the rest of the racers at bay. I’ve not had the pleasure of racing on the road irl and forming a mini team with a breakaway, and it was fun to get a glimpse of that yesterday!
Riding against two such incredible racers is always a pleasure, there is always so much you can pick up on the tactics of racing in Zwift, and the best news is I’ll get to race both of them again on Monday in the ZRL.
An easy spin for me this afternoon and I’ll see what tomorrow holds. I expect lots of eating and bit more cycling 🙃
I think the race report says it all. It was a hugely tough final race of the main series, but I really wanted to cement my place in the finals! Thankfully we had the following week to rest and recover, and my god did I need it! I had a bit of a niggle in my knee from the intensity of the previous weeks, so the weekend had very little cycling but lots of rest, food, and some puppies!
The Finals!
If I thought heading up the Radio Tower climb in Race 2 was hard, then Finals night was something else. Movistar had designed the hardest test of my ability that I had ever put myself through.
MOVISTAR SERIES FINAL // Ramp Test & 28km Crit 🥵🤢
About last night. Okay wow. I knew a ramp followed immediately by a crit would be hard. But that was insane.
I’ve never done a full ramp test before. I’ve always done a 20 minute or 60 minute effort, so I had no real idea what to expect. It hurt, but only for the last few minutes. I also nudged my ftp up by about 10 watts. I’d had a mini taper going into yesterday (thank goodness), so its great to see things moving in the right direction. Its the first time I’ve “rested” or tapered in any sense for a race for a while, so it definitely boosted my confidence
By the time I’d finished the test, exited and logged back into Zwift, I had 13 minutes before the Crit started. With points available at the KOM banner every lap, the next 40 minutes included a top end sprint every 2.5 minutes. If you’ve been following me for a while, you’ll know I’ve had to work hard on my sprinting and much prefer the longer efforts. I also have no idea how many points I picked up on the course, I had my head down and eyes closed with the effort for most of the time 😅 but I am really pleased to have come away with 4th place at the finish
The results are being sent through next week, so hopefully I’ll be able to see the points then
I have absolutely loved racing in the series, regardless of what the decision is. Its a pleasure lining up against some incredibly strong racers, and a lot of fun racing hard with them. I love seeing how far I’ve come and take even more pleasure knowing how far I’ve still got to go
I’m nowhere near done yet 💪
I’m not sure I convey quite how hard this was. My pain faces (completely visible over zoom and if you want to see them then head here for the GCN Español announcement video) were spectacular. Heading into the Crit after so little rest was so painful, and I fought, hard, every single lap for the extra points. The final tally had my 4th in the Crit and I was the last woman standing in the ramp. Mega. But, I wasn’t sure it had been enough. I had been consistent throughout the series, but would consistency be enough?
The Announcement
The team announcement was made over Zoom the following Tuesday. Everyone dialled in to hear what Movistar had decided, as well as meet the team looking after us for the first time!
I was so nervous.
Hearing my name read out was incredible. I was shocked and it definitely took a while to sink in! I’d done it. I’d performed hard, never ever given up or let my mind win or “gone soft” even for one second during the races. I’d wanted this so badly and I’d done it!
As well as keeping it a secret for 5 days, we also had meetings with JP, Dani and the coaching staff at Movistar to help get to know what sort of support we would need.
The day the rest of the world found out was phenomenal and the response was astounding. Thank you to everyone who reached out to me; it is so appreciated and I really am so happy to have been selected!
So, what’s next?
Training. Preparation for ZRL Season 3 to kick off on April 6th (which I am already excited about!). Our kit is getting delivered – check it out here. And plenty of time just enjoying what will be an epic couple of months!
Don’t worry, I’ll be keeping everyone updated with the beautiful kit as it arrives!
I’ve got some seriously big things that I want to achieve this year, and next, and you know what? I’m starting to believe that I’ll be able to do it.
Steph's Great Adventures 