Just a guess here: people who have really studied how to exploit PD4, and cling to the assumptions they learned about it, will probably find some of those assumptions challenged out on the virtual road. But anyone who tries to race more by feel, or people who are willing to study and adapt to the new system, will probably be fine after a few races.
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For something more abstract it can be a net win, but if we just basing on finish results, itâs a zero sum game. Someone will take first and someone would get replaced from first. Only the order in who finishes changes.
After a few races, I wonder how quickly it is to learn the nuances of PD4.1. Hopefully, can get adapt to it when ZRL comes around.
Honestly I havenât even had enough experience with Burrito power up to figure out how to race, race 1.
I am guessing if you get drop, it should should still be nigh impossible to catch back up. There is a reason you got drop in the first place. But it should be easier with the 5-10% CdA benefit.
There are plenty events out there already you donât have to wait until ZRL to test out PD4.1
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Two questions here:
I havenât done too many PD4.1 tests, but how many watts saving would a rider save if he is going solo vs a rider that just pushed out of draft and on the 10s countdown?
Say if you are going 50kmh?
This would be pretty fun, because you really want to time it to over take 1st place with 10-20m to go to donât enter the CdA penalty.
Or
You want to go early and hold people off, knowing those behind you would have a CdA penalty. Ideally you have them gapped enough they only have very fractional draft.
Question 2:
Does the CdA out of draft timer triggers under the affect of burrito? The burrito last for 20 seconds now. So it means should I try to stay in the burrito cone, longer to get the CdA aero position bonus?
Will need to get involved with some to get a feel, but not many races with more than 10 riders. Canât really feel it if you end up going itt.
Just ride your bike and see how it feels and worry less about every last wattage calulation.
plenty races here Events
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If you race PD4.1 events in C category youâll probably find enough participants. I suspect you will have a leg up on your competitors because you are racing relatively frequently now and you pay a lot of attention to how it works. Youâll be racing against people who have been off all summer and are completely unaware of the changes.
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Keke, I am one of those that you identify as having a legs up against. Coming off an injury and 3 week hiatus, been dropped on 3 of my last 4 races.
Learning pack dynamics is unrelated to your fitness. You can get dropped and still learn something about how it works. There are also non-race events with PD4.1 you could enter to study it.
itâs quite normal to be dropped not everyone gets to the finish line together. I suspect you got dropped due to your lower power rather than PD4.1. and power will soon come back.
You still had 4 good results, 9th, 6th, 2nd and 5th would be considered pretty good to most people.
If youâre only looking at individual race finish results, sure, but racing is so much more nuanced, both during the event and across multiple events. Right now, basically all of racing on Zwift follows this formula: zone 2 in pack to the finish, sprint last few hundred meters, repeat.
If a change in pack dynamics means races are more dynamic before reaching the finish line or that other types of racers than pure sprinters have a shot at winning or using tactics, then itâs not zero sum and the overall racing community benefits.
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What are the plans to roll PD 4.1 to larger race series like the monthly ZRacing? Maybe do some A/B testing there.
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Saw your posting and thought I would check out Maria.
I canât say 4.1 is any better than the previous version, it is just different. I rode for 45 minutes in the pack and averaged 2.48 W/kg on a similar bike. I weigh in at 79 kgs. The difference to what should be 2.2 W/kg is the power required to stay with robo on the descents. She would be doing 1.7 and I would struggle in the pack at 3ish to keep up.
I think the only way you will cure the robo pack dynamics is to put robo on a TT bike, reduce the % reduction in power on the declines and moderate the increase on the ascents. Either inform Zwifters that they need to ride a TT bike if they want a pace similar to Robo or put them on a TT bike when they join the ride.
Thanks, interested to have a go. In the meantime, @xflintx, could you provide a short summary of between what PD 4.0 is and what this now-implemented version of 4.1 is?
Are you sure you are racing in the correct category? All my races are a smash fest at FTP from start to finish, with some vo2 max bullshit sprinkled in between.
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Just read post number 1 from @DavidP
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This is the problem with the categories being to wide and then if you are at the bottom of the Cat you are doing Treshold all raceâŚwhen you are in the top of cats you are doing high Z2 and Low Z3 most of the ride and then you have power to smash everyone on the climbs.
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