Got What it Takes to Get On the Brand New Zwift Specialized Tri Team?

Zwift and Specialized have partnered to form a triathlon team that comes with perks that will make even the top pro triathletes jealous.

Zwift and Specialized, two powerhouse brands in the cycling space, announced today that they’re creating what they’ve dubbed the Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team. They’re promising to make it the “best supported amateur team in the sport”—and it’s hard to find another age-group team that offers this level of opportunity. The team concept follows the hugely successful Zwift Academy in cycling that launched in 2016, which has placed three cyclists in the pro cycling peloton.

“Zwift Academy has been extremely successful, both in terms of identifying new world class talent, but also serving as a fantastic engagement tool for our community” says Eric Min, Zwift Co-Founder and CEO, in a press release. “Our approach for triathlon will be different. We’ve decided to focus on amateur age-group triathletes striving to be the best they can be. With the unique backing of Specialized, our team will receive world class support and Zwift’s global community of triathletes will be invited to train with the team members, their mentors and coaches online. This all rolls up into our company goal of creating the world’s largest training community in triathlon.” The announcement comes just a few weeks after Zwift added running to its platform, making it even more relevant to triathletes.

The main focus of the all age-group triathlon team will be to qualify for, compete in, and podium at the Ironman World Championship.

The perks offered to the four selected team athletes (yes—only four) include:

• Specialized will help to ensure each athlete’s performance is optimized through a Retül fitting and Win Tunnel testing session at their Morgan Hill, Calif. headquarters. Additionally, Specialized will provide a full S-Works package comprising: Specialized S-Works Shiv, Specialized S-Works 7 road shoes, Specialized S-Works Evade helmet, and Specialized race apparel.
• Zwift’s team of coaches led by Ironman world record holder, Tim Don, will be on hand to deliver coaching advice to each of the athletes. Mentoring will also be provided to team members by 2017 Kona runner-up athlete Lucy Charles.
• Smart trainers and treadmills will be made available to team members.
• Zwift will be covering associated expenses for the team throughout the season. A $1500 budget contribution will be provided towards a qualifying event of the athlete’s choosing. Entry fees, flights, and accommodation will be provided for the Kona Ironman World Championships in Hawaii.

Ready to throw your name in the hat? Registration starts today and will remain open until Sunday, March 18. Entrants will be required to complete an online form providing details of their performance history and goals for 2018. You must already be a Zwift Level 10 Cyclist or above to be considered. A final selection of the four team athletes will be announced April 5.

“We are fired up to partner up to build the Specialized Zwift Triathlon Academy,” said Mark Cote, Head of Global Marketing and Innovation at Specialized in the press release. “The four athletes chosen will get pro level support including Zwift training, Retul Fit, Win Tunnel optimization, and the best Specialized equipment. I know we’ll help these athletes elevate their game towards Kona 2018.”