EVENTS

The handicap (or ‘chase’) race is a club cycling tradition, with riders grouped by ability level and set off at staggered start times, the slowest taking off first and the fastest last. It’s easy to keep track of the riders in your category, as you’ll all be wearing the same jerseys – auto-selected upon entry to the start pen. The beauty of this format is, everyone stands a chance of winning. Cycling Weekly’s Autumn Chase Series brings together riders of all abilities, men and women – each group must work together to stand the best chance of crossing the line first.

About this series
The Cycling Weekly Autumn Chase Series takes place over six weeks, each Saturday morning at 10.30am, from 7th November until the final on 12th December. In each race, the first 15 over the line score points (15 points for 1st place, 14 for 2nd, and so on). Your best three scores over the series count towards your final total. The rider with the highest three scores will be declared the Autumn Series Champion. Each week’s results will be published in the print edition of Cycling Weekly.

How to ride a Handicap Race
You need to work with your group, using the collective aerodynamic advantage of drafting and sharing the lead either to stay ahead of the group of ‘foxes’ chasing you down, or to catch the ‘rabbits’ ahead.

How to join the event
Join via the Zwift companion app and be pedalling in a Zwift world well ahead of the event start time – bearing in mind that the slowest set off first, and the fastest last. You’ll be given a prompt to join the event in the bottom left of the screen, and your group-specific jersey will be automatically donned upon entering the start pen.

RACE DATES AND COURSES
7 Nov - Innsbruck worlds course short lap
14 Nov - London loop with Box Hill finish
21 Nov - Richmond, Cobbled climbs
28 Nov - Watopia, Mountain 8
5 Dec - Bologna
12 Dec - France, Casse Pattes

RULES & REGS
Results will be taken from Zwift Power. Any rider wishing to be part of the series needs to be registered on Zwift Power.
If your average power exceeds your category limit, your result will be flagged and you may be disqualified (Cat A: above 4.0w/kg; Cat B: 3.2–4.0w/kg; Cat C: 2.5–3.2w/kg; Cat D: under 2.5w/kg).
You must use a heart rate monitor.
You must use exactly the same display name in each race (preferably your real name)
Cycling Weekly reserves the right to remove any rider from the results if there is reasonable suspicion of cheating or manipulation of data.

About Cycling Weekly
Established in 1891 Cycling Weekly is the oldest cycling magazine in the world and the only weekly publication. Covering international and domestic racing, the magazine also covers health, fitness and nutrition and reviews of the latest tech.