New to Zwift want to do 1st race

General Discussion
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Hi all i have a FTP of 256 what cat should i race i currently race in cat D but zwift power says minimum says cat C

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Hi @Jason_Harlock

Welcome to the forum.

C is 2.5w/kg to 3.2w/kg

Looks like your 90 day average is just above 2.5w/kg

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I think you answered your own question there :wink:

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You’ve been placing well in D and your watts are good enough to compete in C as long as the routes don’t have a lot of climbing. I’m in C with much less power than you (231w FTP) but better watts per kilo (close to 3.2). I have to pick races with some climbing or I am crushed by the bigger guys. Luckily for you, there are a lot of Zwift races that don’t have a lot of climbing. You have good one minute power but need to work on sprinting. One minute power is useful for staying in the draft, or surprising the field with an early sprint. You have a lot of potential to do well in C if you pick events suited to your characteristics.

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Thanks Paul what would you suggest the type of races I should look for? I’m quite new to Zwift still trying to work it all out

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You’ve been placing well in D and your watts are good enough to compete in C as long as the routes don’t have a lot of climbing. I’m in C with much less power than you (231w FTP) but better watts per kilo (close to 3.2). I have to pick races with some climbing or I am crushed by the bigger guys. Luckily for you, there are a lot of Zwift races that don’t have a lot of climbing. You have good one minute power but need to work on sprinting. One minute power is useful for staying in the draft, or surprising the field with an early sprint. You have a lot of potential to do well in C if you pick events suited to your characteristics.

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Anything flat, and the flatter the better. Your raw watts will mean you should be able to go hard enough at the start to get into the leading group (about 350 watts for a minute or two) and then sit in at about 200ish watts). Be aware that at any point where the gradient goes above 2%, be prepared to dig in, as someone will almost always try to force a selection.

If you have good two minute power but not much short power, gotta be worth taking a flyer with a mile to go and hanging on for dear life.

But - at first - just concentrate on trying to get into the leading group and staying there as long as possible.

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Thanks David will try that

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You’re welcome. I’ll see you out there.