When racing, does Zwift normalise for the differing power capabilities of each competitors smart trainers.
A Tacx Vortex can produce 950W max power where as the Flux will give 1500W, is the Vortex rider at a disadvantage if he or she can output more than 950W
“A Tacx Vortex can produce 950W max power where as the Flux will give 1500W, is the Vortex rider at a disadvantage if he or she can output more than 950W?”
If he or she is routinely putting out > 950W, he or she should have chosen a different trainer!
That said, the number of riders sustaining that level of output for anything longer than a sprint is likely quite small. At a high level, sure - it seems a virtual race *could* be won or lost in a sprint for the line between two equally fit riders if both are capable of, say, 1200 W max - and one has a trainer good for only 950W while the other tops out at 1500 or 2000W. But the number of instances where this happens is probably pretty low (mostly because people churning out 1000W or better already *know that they can* when choosing their trainer, so the fastest of the fast are already competing on a more level playing field).
In any case, how would Zwift ‘normalize’ that? The only feasible way to do so would be to apply a wattage ‘cap’ to all racers based on the max resistance of the least capable trainer entered in a given event… and that would be absurd, don’t you think?
UCI doesn’t force all teams race on shitty bikes if one team chooses to ride shitty bikes, does it?
Wattage varies massivley from trainer to trainer so take zwift races with a pinch of salt.
i went from a tacx vortex to a tacx neo and my ftp dropped by 30/40 (due to the neo being far more accurate) if i was racing myself id never be able to keep up with me if i was on the vortex while on my neo.
so your power speed all depends on your turbo. just use your past efforts as a bench mark and try and be quicker than your previous rides.
Dont take zwift races too seriously.