Zwift Games Start List Revealed!
Blog #8
[UPDATE March 4, 2025: Since this post was published, two things have changed. First, several qualified riders listed below appear to not be racing. Second, Zwift seems to have issued “wild cards” to several riders that did not otherwise meet the qualification criteria so that they can compete. You can read more about these updates in our official Zwift Games preview:]
I try to stick to publishing only once a week on Tuesdays (I have a real job, don’t want to overcommit myself, etc.). But Chris Schwenker over at The Zommunique got the full scoop on next month’s Zwift Games, and now that we’ve got the word on who qualified it’s hard not to at least provide you with that list.
So below are the start lists for both the men and women, along with a couple of short thoughts. We will be covering the Zwift Games ad nauseam in March, so there’s loads more to come. For now, go read Chris’ article and get set for some great racing!
Wait, What Were the Qualification Criteria Again?
When Zwift first announced the World Series last year, they billed it as a “regular season” for the Zwift Games. To qualify for the Zwift Games, riders would have to finish in the top 50 in the World Series overall standings. Zwift didn’t shut the door on additional riders beyond those 50 qualifying, but (again, as reported by Chris) did say that “racing will be limited to 50-60 riders, with the aim of balancing entertaining racing, high field quality and access for riders.”
But the qualification process was thrown for a loop when Zwift postponed the World Series after only three of the five stages due to a series of trainer malfunctions. Some riders - current World Champion Kate McCarthy among them - had been counting on the last two stages to make their way into the top 50.1
With yesterday’s announcement, it seems like McCarthy and other riders counting on the last two stages to qualify are, to put it bluntly, SOL. Zwift appears to be sticking with the top 50 approach, taking the World Series standings as they sit after only three stages and using that to determine the riders who have qualified. However, Chris reports that:
Zwift [has] introduced an additional race to give riders who finished outside the top 50 in the Zwift World Series overall standings—including those impacted by annulments—a second chance to qualify for Zwift Games 2025.
For those riders:
So let’s get to the start lists. Obviously, who will qualify through the “second chance” pathway is still unknown, and those riders aren’t included below. Riders are listed in the order of their current ranking and, if currently unranked, their all-time ranking. Current rankings for both men and women can be found on our website, as can the all-time rankings (men and women).
Men
The headline here is that Freddy Ovett, the defending Zwift Games champion, has not yet qualified. Nor has Hayden Pucker, who just won U.S. nationals and took fifth at the UCI World Championship.
Women
No Kate McCarthy (as of yet) is such a bummer. The rivalry between her, Gabriela Guerra, and Kathrin Fuhrer has been incredible this year (more on that at the below link). It would suck to be deprived of the next chapter.
