Get to Know the Specialized Zwift Academy Tri Team

We sat down for a quick chat with Bex, Golo, Geert and Rachael to learn more about their past, best race experiences, and rituals they have before the gun goes off.

BEX RIMMINGTON

What has been your greatest race experience?

There are so many to choose from. I think winning bronze at the World Paracycling Road Race championships is one of my highlights. My stoker and I had only been riding together for 6-weeks and to go to the Worlds and podium was one of those moments you never believed would be possible.

Any pre-race rituals?

When it comes to packing my kit bag, everything has its place, and I tend to pack enough for everyone and any occasion!

What’s your favorite type of workout?

I enjoy long workouts and then having some structure within that, so some tempo and threshold work is possibly my favorite.

How did you get started with Zwift?

Last year while racing in a stage race in the Czech Republic, I was unfortunately involved in a crash and ended up breaking my opposite wrist and ankle. As soon as I could pedal I signed up to Zwift — it was the best thing I ever did — being able to ride with others and the sense of community really helped me through that time when I was unable to get outside on the bike.

What’s an aspect of tri-life that most people don’t know?

If you do an Ironman, it is not mandatory to get a tattoo!

Your attitude in one word?

Determined.

GOLO PHILIPPE RÖHRKEN

What has been your greatest race experience?

Ironman Hamburg 2017. Becoming the first Amateur in front of your friends and family was awesome, a moment I will never forget!

Any pre-race rituals?

Quick Jog, cold shower, Toast with Peanut Butter, and “Bad Blood” from T. Swift just before the gun goes off.

What’s your favorite type of workout?

Running Intervals on the Track and Sweet Spot Sessions on the Bike in the hills or indoor.

How did you get started with Zwift?

I read an article on Slowtwitch about Zwift, then started using it during the beta-Phase and instantly loved it.

What’s an aspect of tri-life that most people don’t know?

Racing and training is a lot of fun if you share it with people!

Your attitude in one word?

Hungry.

GEERT JANSSENS

What has been your greatest race experience?

Last year’s Ironman Kalmar, without a doubt. As it was my comeback race, I raced without any expectations, and from the start I felt great! The swim felt easy, the bike felt windy and hard, but I was heading for a great time and power goal. At the end of the bike leg, I felt a bit tired and wasn’t sure about the run. But as soon as I started, I couldn’t stop smiling. I won the overall age group and was 6th overall in a time of 8:36.

Any pre-race rituals?

Visualisation of the whole race and some running strides. I like to laugh and make some jokes to get rid of the stress.

What’s your favorite type of workout?

It’s very race specific. Before an Ironman I do a combined workout with 2-3 hours ride outside (60% FTP), and after that, I go inside for race-specific intervals on the trainer. That’s 4x (10min IM Pace (77% FTP)-10min 70.3 pace (87% FTP) with 5’ easy. After that, I do about 1.5-2 hours back outside with last hour 3x(10’ IM pace-5’ easy). Also 6x (2’ 120% FTP-2’ easy) is a hard but nice set!

How did you get started with Zwift?

My wife gave me a new trainer as a gift. That’s how I started to do all of my bike hours indoor from November until the end of March. On New Years Day I did my first ever imperial century ride on Zwift with seven friends in my living room. Next year we’ll be doing an indoor marathon that day. It feels like you can bring the outside indoors!

What’s an aspect of tri-life that most people don’t know?

Everybody thinks it’s the hardest and most lonely sport there is. But I meet people during my training, and we often have a drink and have fun afterward. The mix of serious training and fun is very important to me. It’s all about balance.

Your attitude in one word?

Maybe two words? All In!!!

RACHAEL NORFLEET

What has been your greatest race experience?

The Ironman 70.3 World Championship in Chattanooga this past year (2017). Steve (my boyfriend and pro triathlete) and my parents were both able to come to the race with me, which isn’t always the case. As someone who is very close with my family, this made a huge impact on my spirit. It was one of the harder courses I have raced, but I never once stopped smiling knowing they were there with me.

Any pre-race rituals?

Is it super lame to say no? I am generally not a superstitious person. Of course I place importance on good meals, hydration and sleep leading into a race but outside of that…nothing crazy!! The most important thing for me is to get my mind into a good place.

What’s your favorite type of workout?

Anything that keeps me on my toes! I was a sprint swimmer before jumping into long course triathlon. Because of this, my workouts were typically structured around short and fast efforts. I don’t avoid 30-40 minute intervals on the bike or long aerobic runs, but if I do…I always break the longer block up into shorter efforts to vary my cadence or effort just slightly to keep me thinking.

How did you get started with Zwift?

I found Zwift over the winter while training for my Spring Ironman. Generally, the Ironmans I have raced have been towards the end of summer and allowed for more outdoor training. However, between the spring weather in Kansas City and my lack of free time this semester in school, Zwift has been an amazing tool for me! It keeps indoor training fun and allows me to make every session a quality session as I do not have time for junk mileage right now.

What’s an aspect of tri-life that most people don’t know?

I don’t think most people realize how much gear is truly involved. Between the bikes, wetsuits, bags, bike boxes in our house, a lot of space is taken up by tri gear alone! We have two closets: one for clothes and one for tri gear. The tri closet is about 2x the size of the other.

What word describes your attitude?

Gumption.