I’ve been on Zwift since April and I’ve participated in a number of races and group rides. I suspect that like most others, a “goal” of staying with a group of riders is motivating to ride longer and more often. Sometimes I feel like working hard, but other times, I simply want to spin for an hour or so in a group but at lower effort.
As I have heard, the initial drafting algorithm was less than realistic to give Zwifters more of a workout. I agree with others in that made it too difficult because every race was essentially a time trial and there was no real need to group up with other riders.
Yesterday, I did the EVR Americas Weekend race, and I’m certain that the TrueDraft was in effect because I found it possible to hang with the lead group off the start line and I watched as several early attacks floundered. I found that sitting in the pack as a slacker wasn’t too difficult either - just like in real life. It was also immediately obvious to me that the racing strategy had changed completely because the stronger riders couldn’t simply ride off the front anytime they wanted to. If I had wanted to get more of a workout.
After I got dropped on the first climb, the second benefit of TrueDraft was realized because over the next few miles, it became obvious to me, and to others who had also been dropped, that since the draft effect was so strong and realistic (even with 1 or 2 other riders), it made strategic sense to look around and group up with other solo riders. This created a sense of teamwork with other riders that I hadn’t seen with the low draft algorithm, and I found it much more enjoyable.
I can time trial any time I like on Zwift, but the TrueDraft really makes the racing and group rides something completely different - strategic and actually enjoyable.