ZWIFT, the online cycling & fitness entertainment platform, has announced former professional cyclist Jens Voigt of Germany and current World Tour professional rider Laurens Ten Dam of the Netherlands as their first two ambassadors. The two athletes, known for embracing social media, will use ZWIFT as a new and powerful way to ride with fans, online and in virtual reality environments. Currently available as free Beta product, ZWIFT has received over 40,000 registrations and is available to Mac and PC users. ZWIFT Beta testers require a compatible bike trainer, wireless speed/cadence sensor and a USB ANT+ dongle. Information on equipment compatibility can be found at www.zwift.com
Now regularly seen riding laps on ZWIFT Island (ZWIFT’s virtual reality world), Ten Dam and Voigt will be leading rides with the ZWIFT online community and inputting on ZWIFT product development.
“Jens and Laurens both came to us with a range of great ideas for how they could use ZWIFT to get their friends and fans motivated on the bike, said ZWIFT Co-Founder and CEO, Eric Min. There’s a reason both of these guys have large followings and we believe they’ll bring people to ZWIFT. They’ll also help us to gather feedback from the community so we can continue to make ZWIFT a more entertaining and motivational platform for cyclists”
43 years old and newly retired after 18 years as professional cyclist, Voigt posted some spectacular wattage numbers at a Zwift event in London last December. “What I immediately liked about ZWIFT is that it is super motivational—just like a real group ride. Already, there are big organized ZWIFT rides happening online and I want to be part of that community. It’s fun, social and ideal for a retired athlete like me who needs to keep fit!”
A professional rider with UCI professional team LottoNL–Jumbo, Laurens ten Dam found his way to ZWIFT while looking for motivation during long months of training this winter. “Riding in the game is like riding outdoors. It’s fun and social, but much better in terms of maximizing time to get a good, consistent workout. And generally speaking, the weather is much nicer on ZWIFT Island!” said 34 year old Ten Dam. “I can ride online with friends and fans from all over the world. That’s a game changer for me”
ZWIFT is expected to release added virtual reality courses and product features throughout 2015, based on feedback from its worldwide community of Beta testers. ZWIFT is enhanced by IOS and Android mobile apps and can be easily uploaded to fitness tracking site Strava.
