Virtual cycling platform Zwift has suspended their Zwift World Series (ZWS) elite races after discovering power readings from smart trainers are suspect.

After loosing the UCI Cycling Esports World Championships to competitor MyWhoosh last year, ZWS was envisioned to be Zwift’s top racing program for the 2024/25 season.

Now, the series is suspended according to Zwift’s Director of Racing Sean Parry, who revealed some of the power readings from Zwift approved trainers are inaccurate.

“This decision has been made after a thorough review, and it has been driven by our desire to uphold the reputation of our sport and protect the well-being of the athletes,” Parry wrote in an email to ZWS participants.

He also quickly pointed out that the issue is not intentional edoping like that of Eddie Houle, but rather a manufacturer hardware/software issue where some trainers are providing enhanced power data during high-torque, low-cadence efforts.

To compete in the series, elite riders must use Zwift approved and certified trainers to ensure fair competition and accurate results. Only a few qualify:

  • ELITE: Justo, Justo 2
  • TACX: Neo Bike, Neo 2, Neo 2T, Neo 3M
  • WAHOO: Kickr Bike Shift, Kickr Move, Kickr v5, Kickr v6, Kickr Bike v1, Kickr Bike v2

Parry has not comment on which trainers are providing enhanced power numbers, but recent race results suggest the issue appears to be linked to Wahoo KICKR v6, KICKR Move, KICKR v5 and Elite Justo, Justo 2 models.

Elite Justo 2 was the only trainer used at the MyWhoosh 2024 UCI Esports Cycling World Championships in October, although UCI and MyWhoosh have not publicly commented on the issue reported by Zwift.

Zwift is now working with the trainer manufacturers to identify and correct the situation, hoping that software updates will allow ZWS racing to restart in late February.

Until then, Zwift riders (and racers) may enjoy some “free watts.”

Photo Credit: Zwift

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