ISSUE IDENTIFIED:
As mentioned below, I’ve locked this thread and will re-open once the bug is corrected in a future game update.
Since Pack Dynamics 4.1 launched, I find it much much more difficult to stay with the RoboPacers. (note: I’ve ridden several hundred kilometers with each of the Cat D pacers - others report similar with other levels, at weights above, below, and at the standard 75kg)
Biggest symptoms: staying in front of the bot seems easier while getting stuck behind results in needing MUCH more power to catch up or overtake.
PD4.1 may be more realistic, and appropriate for racing but whatever it’s doing seems at cross-purposes to a RoboPacer.
I really hope ZwiftHQ acknowledges and addresses this. Under PD4.1, I no longer look forward to RoboPacer rides and I don’t think I’m the only one. If there’s a way to revert ONLY the RoboPacers to PD4.0, perhaps that’s a solution since racers seem to like the newer pack dynamic.
Corroboration:
Under Pack Dynamics 4.1, Robopacers surge ahead when reaching the base of a climb. (NOTE: other people have identified this as a long-standing issue in some locations but it seems to have been exacerbated under PD4.1)
I tested this by staying abeam or a meter ahead of pacer when approaching a climb, then applying 100+Watts more power and holding it through the climb. Pacer rapidly accelerates past entire pack.
See screenshot. Pay attention to W/kg on side. You can see other riders have increased Wattage to try to keep up - this is not just a “me problem”.
Observed this week with several Cat.D RoboPacers (D.Taylor, D.Bernie, D.Miguel).
My weight hasn’t changed appreciably in the last week, since the PD4.0 to 4.1 switch. (about 79kg)