Israel Startup Nation organizes mass Zwift group ride
World Tour Israeli team “Israel Start-Up Nation“ will lead a virtual online team ride open to fans from all over the world to help spread the “STAY AT HOME” message as part of the World fight against COVID-19.
The ride that will take place Friday night on the ZWIFT online platform will enable fans with “Smart” trainer-devices to ride their bikes and be part of the ride through their Phones, TV, or iPad screens. They will be able to follow the lead of ISN riders, including German living legend Andre Greipel, Israeli Champion Guy Sagiv, and British former world hour record-holder Alex Dowsett.
Millions of cyclists around the world are confined to their homes under the threat of the virus. Authorities in many countries fear that amateur recreational cyclists riding outdoors will only put more burden on already burdened hospitals.
Pro riders are allowed to ride outdoors in countries like Italy, as some governments recognize it is their occupation – but many are now using home trainers as their tools to keep their shape and be ready to race again. All races were suspended, canceled or postponed through March and April.
ISN decided to initiate the first special team ride open to their fans to give them a chance to ride with its riders and help promote the message. In its social media posts to the fans, it explained how important it is to try to work out at home and avoid riding outside.
“Having group rides in uncertain times like these, with the Covid-19 crisis, is a great way for cyclists who love our team”, Guy Sagiv, currently in quarantine in Girona himself, says. “This group ride on Zwift gives everyone the possibility to join us for a ride from their homes. It is important to stay home to fight the virus and ISN/ICA wants to give everyone the opportunity to keep enjoying riding bikes. I am excited to join the group ride Friday.”
The ride will take place On Friday, at 20:25 CET, and 21:25 Israeli time. At least ten riders from our Israel Start-Up Nation World Tour Team and our Israel Cycling Academy Continental Team will take on a unique ride on Zwift, in cooperation with the Dutch Het is Koers Cycling blog.
It will be a FUN ride with the team riders, approximately 1h15m but in the last few km’s the fans will be able to race for the win.
Other ISN and ICA riders joining the ride from their homes all over the world: Belgian Ben Hermans, Latvian Krists Neilands, Swiss Matteo Badilatti, Canadian James Piccoli, Australian Rory Sutherland, Israeli Davidson Lahav, Canadian Robin Plamondon, Czech Daniel Turek, Australian Freddy Ovett.
Participants will be able to follow their wheels and ask them questions – just like a real team ride outside. They can join raffles for jerseys in the days towards the event by following ISN/ICA’s event on Facebook: