# Neutral start rollout option for races **URL:** \ **Category:** Feature Requests\ **Created:** [December 9, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317 "2022-12-09T20:07:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Dave\_Rossow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dave_rossow/32/293360_2.png) [@Dave\_Rossow](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Dave_Rossow)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:07pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/1 "2022-12-09T20:07:04Z")
This is pretty self-explanatory and would make racing more even at the start without having to sprint balls out from the pen. Event managers could then choose to employ it or not for their races. Would make sense, especially where there is a lead-in to the start. ---
**Author:** ![Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gerrie_delport_odz/32/437556_2.png) [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Gerrie_Delport_ODZ)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:10pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/2 "2022-12-09T20:10:49Z")
This would be nice but How would this work? How do you stop people from going full out at the start. ---
**Author:** ![Dave\_Rossow](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dave_rossow/32/293360_2.png) [@Dave\_Rossow](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Dave_Rossow)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:20pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/3 "2022-12-09T20:20:52Z")
Zwift could add an impenetrable fence linked to a pacer bot that then disappears at the end of the neutral section. Zwift could also use the rubber band to keep the group together through the neutral section. Ideally, Zwift could also build in a new feature to make it more realistic using something like an official lead bike that nobody is allowed to pass in the neutral section. ---
**Author:** ![Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gerrie_delport_odz/32/437556_2.png) [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Gerrie_Delport_ODZ)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:29pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/4 "2022-12-09T20:29:04Z")
A lead bike sound like fun, but how do you stop people from going all out once the natural start is over. They will just ramp up the power and fly off once the “lead bike” disappear. ---
**Author:** ![gloscherrybomb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gloscherrybomb/32/493046_2.png) [@gloscherrybomb](https://forums.zwift.com/u/gloscherrybomb)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/5 "2022-12-09T20:33:06Z")
Yep I think this has been been requested before. Lots of fun ways it could be done. The FRR races are all the better for the neutral rollout. ---
**Author:** ![gloscherrybomb](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gloscherrybomb/32/493046_2.png) [@gloscherrybomb](https://forums.zwift.com/u/gloscherrybomb)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:33pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/6 "2022-12-09T20:33:45Z")
Once speed is high it’s very different to going from 0. ---
**Author:** ![Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/gerrie_delport_odz/32/437556_2.png) [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Gerrie_Delport_ODZ)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:45pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/7 "2022-12-09T20:45:50Z")
This will change racing a lot. If Zwift can do this it can be used in group rides with a sprint at the end as well. ---
**Author:** ![B\_Jimmy](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/b_jimmy/32/497855_2.png) [@B\_Jimmy](https://forums.zwift.com/u/B_Jimmy)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2022, 8:47pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/8 "2022-12-09T20:47:18Z")
As a mountain biker I’m used to the “go all out at the start and hope you don’t blow up” style of starts but a robopacer tied to a fence that increases speed over a set distance/time would be pretty cool. ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_J](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/tom_j/32/473097_2.png) [@Tom\_J](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Tom_J)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 2:09am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/9 "2022-12-10T02:09:18Z")
Could this be done by implementing Keep Together for the first however many kms? ---
**Author:** ![Nigel\_Tufnel](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/nigel_tufnel/32/487824_2.png) [@Nigel\_Tufnel](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Nigel_Tufnel)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 2:15am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/10 "2022-12-10T02:15:57Z")
I like the idea of using the fence. And if you go beyond the fence for too long in the neutral section you are just zapped from the event. ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_D9](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/chris_d9/32/541335_2.png) [@Chris\_D9](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Chris_D9)\ **Post date:** [December 10, 2022, 3:40am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/11 "2022-12-10T03:40:59Z")
> [@Gerrie\_Delport\_ODZ](#): > > A lead bike sound like fun, but how do you stop people from going all out once the natural start is over. They will just ramp up the power and fly off once the “lead bike” disappear. A leading car, station wagon with a guy standing through the sunroof and at the right point the flags wave and the car moves over. Then people can pass it. Even normal events could use this, they also have people going like mad right from the start irrespective of the w/kg limits and ride leaders desperately begging for people to stay together. ---
**Author:** ![Pete\_Piraino\_BSCM](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/pete_piraino_bscm/32/10131_2.png) [@Pete\_Piraino\_BSCM](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Pete_Piraino_BSCM)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 11:23pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/12 "2022-12-11T23:23:09Z")
The idea of a neutral start is great. Just like in pro racing, it provides an adequate warmup for everyone. Maybe Zwift can send signals to smart trainers to prevent exceeding a pre-determined power level while in the neutral zone. ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_1506](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/steve_1506/32/253549_2.png) [@Steve\_1506](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Steve_1506)\ **Post date:** [December 11, 2022, 11:34pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/13 "2022-12-11T23:34:07Z")
Racing on Zwift began with neutral starts. That was in the days before start pens or any other in-game tools. It was everybody meets up at a certain point on the course, like the start banner in Watopia, begins to ride together, and at a certain time/distance, the competition began. No means of enforcement, though. ---
**Author:** ![Stephen\_White](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/stephen_white/32/278619_2.png) [@Stephen\_White](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Stephen_White)\ **Post date:** [December 12, 2022, 3:44pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/14 "2022-12-12T15:44:33Z")
Zwift could also control the increase in power and speed to the desired level for the race as the neutral zone nears its end. Gradually ramp up and then let the pack go. Would be like the grand tour stages. Yea, someone will try to blast off of the front, but by then everyone will be up to speed. I do like the ‘lead rider’ scenario. Have him look like Gandalf, You shall not pass! ---
**Author:** ![Wannie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/wannie/32/531104_2.png) [@Wannie](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Wannie)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/15 "2022-12-18T23:07:14Z")
Another thread got me thinking (which is always dangerous :-), what about group rides being setup that are actually described and run as races? Could CE be enabled for a group ride? The leader/organizer could employ a kicking fence to take the field up to eg. 30 km/h or thereabouts, and when the fence is dropped (turned off), the race (set up as a group ride) begins? If the organizer has enough leaders, they could have one in each Cat… … just an idea. ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_D9](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/chris_d9/32/541335_2.png) [@Chris\_D9](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Chris_D9)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 2:27am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/16 "2022-12-19T02:27:28Z")
> [@Pete\_Piraino\_BSCM](#): > > The idea of a neutral start is great. Just like in pro racing, it provides an adequate warmup for everyone. Maybe Zwift can send signals to smart trainers to prevent exceeding a pre-determined power level while in the neutral zone. You’d need to let people power up in case they were tardy in getting away from the start to get the group together then when pack is together the flag drops or the whistle goes. Then it’s start. Some nice ideas here though. ---
**Author:** ![Dean](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/dean/32/489893_2.png) [@Dean](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Dean)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 4:39am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/17 "2022-12-19T04:39:08Z")
I _think_ you could achieve this with Fondo style events (one Category for all racers) and have ZP setup as a race and auto-cat people to cats (ZP that is, not CE). Like your thinking @Wannie ---
**Author:** ![Wannie](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/wannie/32/531104_2.png) [@Wannie](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Wannie)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2022, 1:04pm UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/18 "2022-12-19T13:04:20Z")
That wouldn’t be too bad – though you don’t think CE is an available option in ride setup? Forgetting neutral starts, it hasn’t occurred to try hybrid ride-then-race events? – e.g. “we’ll ride the first 10km at comfortable X wkg pace, and the last 10km we’ll drop the fence and the race is on…” Likewise, I don’t suppose races can have a ‘leader’ and therefore someone who could control a fence? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Wynne\_EWCC](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/paul_wynne_ewcc/32/517576_2.png) [@Paul\_Wynne\_EWCC](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Paul_Wynne_EWCC)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 3:35am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/19 "2025-10-10T03:35:21Z")
Could we have a Neutral Zone in cycling races? I love racing but the scramble from the pens has always been a real issue. Not everyone is a sprinter or can put 5-12w/kg for a solid minute in order to join in the race; this effort is akin to a Velodrome gate start every time! The introduction of a Neutral zone in races would allow racers to get settled ready for the challenge. The zone could be rubber banded or limited to say 2w/kg, 1km or even be equivalent to the lead in on certain longer routes. Yes there are those who will say “if you can’t stand the heat..” etc but wouldn’t a neutral zone make for a better experience all round. You could still drop all your watts at the end of the neutral zone with an acceleration rather than an all out sprint just like real life racing. Thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Paul\_Southworth](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/gozwift/user_avatar/forums.zwift.com/paul_southworth/32/538336_2.png) [@Paul\_Southworth](https://forums.zwift.com/u/Paul_Southworth)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2025, 8:51am UTC](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317/20 "2025-10-10T08:51:06Z")
> [@Group ride start speed neutralization](https://forums.zwift.com/t/group-ride-start-speed-neutralization/14220): > > Lots of people complain about group rides being too fast, especially out of the start gate. It’s my experience that it’s the initial frantic start that pushes the pace up, in effect letting a large breakaway happen with the pack chasing the breakaway soon thereafter. My suggestion is to limit group … > [@Neutralized Race Starts](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutralized-race-starts/104330): > > It seems that this has been mentioned in some archived threads, but I’d like to suggest it again, a method for race organizers to choose to have a neutralized race start for the lead in, as many races seem to have very long lead ins (or to a customizable point per organizer’s preference) I can see … > [@Neutral Start Pace Car for Races](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-pace-car-for-races/12026): > > It would be great to have a pace car at the start of races.   Seems like adrenaline takes over right from the line.   The option of holding everyone back for some warmup distance might be a nicer way to start some races and rides.   On lots of group rides the leader keeps saying hold back for xxx di… > [@Fence during race lead in](https://forums.zwift.com/t/fence-during-race-lead-in/237778): > > Why not use the fence to enforce a warmup during a race lead in. People jump at the start of every race, but it seems to me that the idea of a lead in is to warmup before the pace picks up. The fence could substitute for a neutral start vehicle! > [@Different Race start procedure](https://forums.zwift.com/t/different-race-start-procedure/573393): > > Agreed, The recovery, injured, coming back from time off etc… is by far my most hated cheater. I’ve done many D races, nearly every time a rider ruins the race, if they do respond to questions. This is the usual BS response. 99.9999% of the time this same supposedly injured rider, destroys the fie… > [@Neutral start rollout option for races](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317): > > This is pretty self-explanatory and would make racing more even at the start without having to sprint balls out from the pen. Event managers could then choose to employ it or not for their races. Would make sense, especially where there is a lead-in to the start. > [@Race/Event Idea: Option to have a 'rolling start'](https://forums.zwift.com/t/race-event-idea-option-to-have-a-rolling-start/649204): > > I know this has been brought up in the past, but I want to have another discussion about the idea of a ‘rolling start’. Instead of having groups decided in the first 20-30 seconds based on a w/kg sprint/surge battle at the start, have a rolling start where these sprints are less effective. This woul… [Next page](https://forums.zwift.com/t/neutral-start-rollout-option-for-races/596317.md?page=2)