December's Z Racing Series, "Fresh Outta 24", is here, marking the final showdown of 2024 and it promises to be a cracker! This series blends fresh routes with fan favourites from the past year, making it a challenging finish to the season. For my racer type, it’s shaping up to be a tough one, but I was especially eager for the opening race and the chance to explore Zwift’s new Jarvis Island roads.
The series kicks off with "Triple Twist", a punchy and lumpy course that starts on Watopia Pier and heads straight to Jarvis Island. The new section introduces a fresh sprint and KOM segment. With multiple sprint banners scattered throughout, you will have plenty of opportunities to grab power-ups like the feather or aero boost, which could make all the difference.
After leaving Jarvis Island, the course twists through the esses before tackling the Hilly KOM Reverse. At 24 km and 200 metres of climbing, it’s not the longest race, but the constant elevation changes will test your legs and strategy, making it feel longer than it looks on paper.
Race strategy for racing on the R.G.V route on Zwift
For Triple Twist, my strategy was to go all-in on aero. While the climbs are notable, they’re not long, slow slogs. With a bunch of riders pushing the pace, they’ll be fast and only make up a small portion of the route. The majority of the course is flat, and with the sprint sections and a likely big sprint finish, I wanted to maximise my speed on the flats.
I chose my trusty Giant Propel paired with DT Swiss Disc wheels for ultimate aerodynamic advantage. This setup should help me conserve energy on the flats and give me an edge on the sprints. Let’s see if the plan pays off!
The Triple Twist Route Feels Very Dynamic for Racing
The race started really well for me. I’d done a solid warm-up, and it made a big difference as we powered out of Watopia Pier. The large group of 55 riders kept a strong pace heading towards Jarvis Island.
The KOM was split into three sections, and I felt good on the first. On the second section, I used a feather power-up to stick with the group, feeling confident as we climbed. But the final push to the summit was tough. I worked hard to stay in touch with the leaders but made a big mistake; I let my guard down. A small gap opened between me and the group, and they descended like a rollercoaster. I tried to close the gap, but as soon as they hit the flats, they surged ahead. I had no choice but to settle into the chase group.
The chase group was about 10 riders, sitting in positions 35 to 45. I tucked into the pack, trying to recover and prepare for the Hilly KOM. Unfortunately, the only power-up I managed to grab for the climb was an aero boost, not ideal. When we hit the final climb, the group pushed hard. I was confident I could hang on, but the pace was tougher than I expected.
I used my aero boost on a small dip before the final drag to the summit. Normally, I’d try to attack here, but with 6km still to go and my legs feeling heavy, I held back. The group paced itself over the top and down into the final kilometres. At the KOM banner, I picked up another aero boost and decided to save it for the finish.
The finish took us back to Jarvis Island. As we entered the new roads, the group surged, the pace picking up sharply with 1km to go. I stuck to the wheels in front, waiting for the right moment to respond.
With 600m left, two riders launched off the front. I powered up and tucked into their draft, hoping to use their momentum. Unfortunately, they couldn’t hold the pace, forcing me to start my sprint early at 300m to go. I activated my boost and went all-in.
With 150m left, my legs were completely gone. I tried to maintain what power I had, but two other racers came flying past me right on the line. It was a hard-fought finish, and although I didn’t take the win, it was an exciting end to a tough race.
My conclusion of the Triple Twist Route and Racing on Javis Island
"Triple Twist" was a tough but brilliant race. I really enjoyed it because it felt like a micro monument, packed with dynamic challenges. The KOMs were just right—long enough to break the race apart but not so steep that they slowed the action.
I thought the KOM section on Jarvis Island was a great addition, though I feel the sprint could have been refined a bit more from the original design. My result was, as expected, middle of the pack. The new categories are really pushing me to improve, but it seems to be paying off—I managed to set some new PRs and boost my race score by 5 points.
Overall, I’d highly recommend giving this course a go. It’s like a mini race adventure, and it’s definitely one I’d tackle again.
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VeloHunt Steve