Zwift's Pace Partners — also called RoboPacers — are AI-controlled virtual cyclists that ride continuously around fixed routes at a steady watts-per-kilogram (W/kg) target. They're one of the best training tools on the platform: structured, social, and always available whenever you log in. But if you've ever been dropped within the first kilometre, or found yourself inexplicably floating off the front, you know there's a bit more to it than just pressing go.
This guide covers everything you need: how to find and join a Pace Partner, how to choose the right one for your fitness, what watts to actually target, and how to stay with the group when the road tips uphill.
What Are Zwift Pace Partners?
Pace Partners are persistent virtual riders that loop continuously around Zwift's worlds. There are ten of them in total, each with a fixed W/kg target and a name. They ride at a constant effort regardless of terrain — so while their speed changes on hills and descents, their power output stays the same. That's the key detail most new riders miss.
A group of real riders almost always surrounds each Pace Partner. Riding in that group gives you a significant draft benefit, which is why the effective watts you need to stay with the bunch are meaningfully lower than if you were riding solo at the same speed.
The 10 Pace Partners at a Glance
Here's the full roster, from the gentlest to the most ferocious. All Pace Partners are modelled as 75 kg / 175 cm riders.
| Name | W/kg | Level | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sofia | 0.8 W/kg | Easy | Recovery rides, brand new riders |
| Taylor | 1.1 W/kg | Easy | Easy aerobic base, long slow distance |
| Bernie | 1.5 W/kg | Moderate | Zone 2 training, beginners building fitness |
| Miguel | 1.8 W/kg | Moderate | Endurance, comfortable 60–90 min effort |
| Maria | 2.2 W/kg | Moderate | Tempo rides, developing cyclists |
| Coco | 2.6 W/kg | Hard | Threshold work, Cat D racers |
| Yumi | 2.9 W/kg | Hard | Sustained hard efforts, Cat C territory |
| Jacques | 3.2 W/kg | Hard | High-end aerobic, strong Cat C riders |
| Genie | 3.7 W/kg | Very Hard | Cat B racers, serious training |
| Constance | 4.2 W/kg | Extreme | Elite level, Cat A and above |
W/kg values can change when Zwift updates the game. You can always verify the current figures on the official Zwift RoboPacer support page.
How to Find and Join a Pace Partner
From the Zwift home screen, click Ride then select the Pace Partners tab (it's at the top of the activity picker). You'll see all ten listed with their current W/kg and the number of riders currently in each group. Click on the one you want and hit Ride.
Zwift will spawn you directly into the Pace Partner group — you won't have to chase them down from a standing start. You'll appear somewhere in the bunch, and the group will be moving. Your job is simply to stay with them.
Choosing the Right Pace Partner
The most common mistake new Zwifters make is starting too hard. The Pace Partner system is designed so you can pick the effort level that matches your current fitness — not the one that flatters your ego.
A good rule of thumb: if you can comfortably hold a conversation (or at least aren't gasping) for most of the ride, you've probably picked the right partner. If you're being dropped within 10 minutes, step down one level. If the ride feels trivially easy, step up.
For structured training purposes, here's a rough guide by use case:
- Recovery / Zone 1: Sofia (0.8) or Taylor (1.1)
- Zone 2 / aerobic base: Bernie (1.5) or Miguel (1.8)
- Tempo / sweet spot: Maria (2.2) or Coco (2.6)
- Threshold / VO2 preparation: Yumi (2.9) or Jacques (3.2)
- High-intensity / racing fitness: Genie (3.7) or Constance (4.2)
The Bernie–Miguel Gap
One common frustration is the jump from Bernie (1.5 W/kg) to Miguel (1.8 W/kg) — that 0.3 W/kg step feels larger in practice than it looks on paper. If you can comfortably hold Bernie but keep getting dropped by Miguel, that's completely normal. It's a recognised training challenge in the Zwift community. The solution is simply time: keep riding at Bernie, work in occasional efforts above his pace, and within a few weeks you'll be able to hold Miguel's wheel.
How Many Watts Do You Actually Need?
Here's where most guides fall short. "Ride at 1.8 W/kg" tells you very little if you don't know what that means in absolute watts for your body weight.
The formula is simple: watts = W/kg × your weight in kg. So a 75 kg rider targeting Miguel at 1.8 W/kg needs to produce 135 W. A 90 kg rider needs 162 W. A 60 kg rider needs only 108 W.
Because of the draft effect discussed earlier, you'll often find you can stay with the group at somewhat lower watts than the pacer's full target — particularly on flat routes with a large group. But knowing your personal watt target gives you a clear anchor for your training zones and lets you plan rides without surprises.
Find Your Exact Watt Targets
Enter your weight and instantly see the watts you need for all 10 Pace Partners.
⚡ Use the CalculatorStaying with the Group: Practical Tips
1. Warm up before you join
Jumping cold into a Coco or Yumi group is a recipe for an early death spiral. Spin easy for 10–15 minutes before joining any medium or hard Pace Partner, so your legs are ready to respond when the first short climb arrives.
2. Sit in the middle of the bunch
The draft benefit is highest when you're surrounded by riders on all sides. If you're on the front or at the very back edge of the group, you're doing more work. Use your position on screen to stay tucked in, and if you find yourself drifting backwards, resist the urge to sprint — a smooth, controlled increase in power is far more efficient.
3. Anticipate terrain changes
Pace Partners hold their W/kg constant, which means they slow down on climbs and speed up on descents — exactly as you'd expect. The bunch tends to accordion slightly on short punchy climbs. Stay alert: the key is to not let a gap open in the first place, because closing a gap on a climb costs far more energy than it takes to prevent one. If you see a hill coming, lift your power slightly before you reach it.
4. Don't chase sprints
Sprint segments, KOM banners, and other timed segments attract some riders in the group to go full gas. Don't follow them. The Pace Partner continues at their steady pace regardless, and the sprinters will come back to the group anyway. Chasing sprint efforts is the fastest way to blow yourself up and lose the main group.
5. Use a heart rate monitor
One of the most useful ways to gauge whether you've chosen the right Pace Partner is to watch your heart rate after 15–20 minutes of riding. If it's steady and in your intended training zone, you've nailed it. If it keeps creeping up without levelling off, the pacer is currently too hard for a long session — consider stepping down.
What Happens on Hills
This is the detail that trips up a lot of riders. Because Pace Partners maintain a constant W/kg output regardless of gradient, they slow down noticeably on climbs and speed up dramatically on descents. On a steep climb, a 2.2 W/kg pacer will drop from their normal road speed to a relatively slow climbing pace — but they're still putting out 2.2 W/kg. If you're a heavier rider, you actually need to put out more absolute watts on a climb than a lighter rider to maintain the same speed.
On descents, the opposite happens: the Pace Partner accelerates because they're heavier (75 kg) and aerodynamics favour them. Lighter riders may need to push above the pacer's W/kg to hold the wheel on a steep downhill. This catches many people out — you can do everything right on the flats and climbs, then lose the group on a descent.
Earning XP and Drops
One practical reason to ride with Pace Partners: it's one of the most efficient ways to earn XP and Drops (Zwift's in-game currency) in the game. You earn XP for every kilometre ridden, and the social aspect of a Pace Partner group keeps you honest — it's much harder to soft-pedal when there are 40 riders around you.
You'll also earn Drops bonuses in longer rides, so Pace Partner sessions are a good choice when you're trying to unlock new bikes or kit in the Drop Shop.
A Note on the Route
Each Pace Partner is assigned a fixed route in a fixed world. They loop continuously — they do not take breaks. The routes are generally chosen to match the intended effort level: easier pacers tend to ride flatter routes, harder pacers take on more varied terrain. You can see which world each Pace Partner is currently riding from the selection screen, and worlds rotate on a fixed schedule published by Zwift.
If you have a preference for a particular route (for example, you're doing a specific interval workout and want flat roads), it's worth checking whether the Pace Partner whose effort matches your goal is in a world that suits you that day.
The Bottom Line
Pace Partners are one of Zwift's most underrated features. They're free, always available, always honest, and they adapt to your schedule rather than the other way around. Whether you're doing a recovery spin with Sofia, building aerobic base with Bernie, or suffering through a threshold session with Jacques, the key is knowing your numbers before you join.
Use the calculator below to find your exact watt targets for every Pace Partner based on your weight — then go ride with confidence.