On Saturday March 20, the 4th and last race of the Dare2Ride TimeTrial competition was held on the "Road to SKy", zwift's replica of the famous "Dutch Mountain" climb to Alpe d'Huez from Le Bourge d'Oissans, France. With a 5km run-up to the 12.44 Climb and an average incline of 8.5% a serious finale.

After the start signal, half of the field bursted off, like racing a short distance sprint, but after 1.5km the riders settled into a bunch and formed a leadgroup, riding in each others draft, to ease back and settle in for the climb.

Passing the "gate" that marks the start of the Climb, the riders from the lead group cranked their Watts up, and the lead group litterally scattered on the foot of the mountain.

Lorenzo Arena and Bart Pinkse taking the lead, with right after them Michiel Broeksma, Niels Stehouwer and Nicolas VanderBruggen to follow. As Lorenzo and Bart pushed over 330watts and managed to keep this power, it was clear who would battle for the day's win...if they would last to the finish line off course..

Fighting for the lead, Lorenzo slowly pulled away from Bart, taking and expanding a gap. Behind it was Michiel Broeksema who hammered 300 Watts to hold on to 3rd place. Niels Stehouwer on 4th place looked like he could not follow, but this proved to be good strategy..
As half way the race, Niels could add some Watts to his average, while Michiel needed to consolidate some. The battle for 3rd place lasted for more than 30min, with Michiel pushing the pedals harder when Niels reached his rear wheel. Batteling untill approx. 2km before the finish, Michiel needed to let go, and Niels could even put one gear up.

In the middle of the field, all riders were suffering, grouping into couple's, to bare the intensity of today's climb and hang on. Ingrid Hissink with Harry Biemans, Paul Henning, Michel Uittenbroek and Djien Tan really fought their ground.

In all, a great race to watch, and to be in, as you can really follow what's going on in the front, middle and back in the race, while you're part of it yourself.. one of the great assets of Zwift..

The podium of the day : 
1. Lorenzo Arena          52:22 minutes (42min Climb time !!)
2. Bart Pinkse               56:23
3. Niels Stehouwer   1:00:07

Overall Classification podium:
1.  Niels Stehouwer   355 points
1.  Michiel Broeksma 355 points
3. Ingrid Hissink  340 points 

This week all earned competition points will be transferred into lottery tickets, and we will draft for the Fuego 1.0 Smarttrainer!

Thanks for joining the competition everyone, and maybe till next competition!!

The third race on Saturday March 13th, was held on Brittanie France's route: Douce France , a 25km course with lot's of little hills and a small Aquaduc KOM climb (420m 3%) . Right after the start the complete field bursted away, with Lorenzo Arena, Bart Pinkse, Niels Stehouwer and Michiel Broeksma breaking away as a group. Directly followed by a the other riders, lead by the two woman athletes Ingrid Hissink and Brooke Brown. 

As the Aquaduc KOM climb is just a small hurdle to take, it would mean today's decisive moment. With all riders hammering the first 9.6Km away, the first fatique settled in.

Lorenzo Arena increased his lead gradually, with Bart and Michiel following, and Niels being on their tail. Right after Brooke and Ingrid battled for the woman's lead in the race.

Passing the 15km mark, the leadgroup was pulled apart, with Michiel Broeksma struggling holding the Watts. Being within reach of Niels Stehouwer, Niels increased pace to real him in.

With the last 10km to go, a handfull of little hills and curves made the race seriously tough, and riders really had to put the pressure on the pedals. The win of the day was for Lorenzo, leading Bart Pinkse with 2min16. Niels Stehouwer graciously took 3rd in 2min36. The Woman's victory was for Brooke Brown, with Ingrid Hissink finishing 20sec after and Emma Uittenbroek completing the woman's podium.

Next week the final TT Race, on the Epic Alpe d'Huez course replica in zwift "Road to Sky".​

The Second race was a short burst: a 10km Time Trial on Watopia's Hilly Route.
A tricky course as the Zwift KOM Climb (900m, avg 5%) needs to be taken 1km after the startline, so starting too aggressive might wear out a riders legs.

After the start signal, it was belgium athlete Nicolas Vanderbruggen who pulled away with high speed taking the lead. Followed immediately by Niels Stehouwer, Michel Broeksma, Bart Pinkse and Frank Huisman. Halfway the climb Bart Pinkse took over the lead, with Michel Broeksma right behind. Frank and Niels were in each others wheel on 4rd and 5th place. Due to a shifting error, Frank's chain got stuck and needed to step off to resolve, resulting in a 40sec gap  that in the end was not be closed in this short race.

Bart and Michel hammered on, with Bart taking a small lead resulting in a 18sec lead an the win of the day. Nicolas and Niels battled for 3rd place, with Niels taking the win building a 11sec gap on Nicolas in the last 2km's of the Race.

In the Woman field, is was Ingrid Hissink again, leading from start, just behind the first men.
Pushing really hard, the win was evidend, with 2nd place ex. pro triathlete Brooke Brown, followed by the youngest female rookie in the field: Emma Uittenbroek.

The first race over the 17km course of Richmond (UCI Worlds route) was won by Belgium athlete Lorenzo Arena. Of 37 contenders, only 10 riders made it to the startline (late entries are not allowed to start in a Zwift race). Lorenzo Arena took the lead with a ferm pace, pushing more than 5 watt/kg. Michel Broeksma, Niels Stehouwer and Nicolas vanderbruggen followed aggressively, but no one was really able to follow Arena's pace. Arena's lead grew quickly, as half way it was clear he would take today's win. Taking a bit of steam off the kettle Arena finished the course, with almost a 3minute lead. Broeksma took second place, keeping a firm pace, followed by Frank, Niels and Nicolas fighting for 3rd place. First and only woman in the field was Ingrid Hissink, who joyfully took all the woman climbing an sprinting jerseys of the day in the women class. 

Next Race is Saturday March 6:
An explosive TT over 9km with a firm climb right after the start.
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Anyone can still register for this, and compete in the next 3 races, the racepoints you earn, will be transferred into tickets for the Dare2Ride smarttrainer lottery!!

Do you Dare to Ride? Then join here