THE FINALE 😬 | Chasing Down A Dream | Zwift Academy 

Anton's career isn't over by the way. He's riding for Bike Aid CT and rode the Tour of Antalya pro race this month, finishing 8th on the mountain stage, right in front of Alpecin's Alex Bogna, former ZA winner. He's still very much in the picture.

Alpecin Deceuninck at every Zwift Academy Finals: "oh you are the youngest, welcome to the team". What a surprise!

Anton rides for a decent Conti team in Bike Aid and finished an impressive 7th place in 2.1 race Tour of Antalya, he's getting a Pro Tour contract next year in my opinion.

I believe other Pro Teams will consider taking the other two. Especially teams which are more focused on GC

First time I’ve got to say I definitely preferred the way GCN produced this series over this year. Usually really like Mat’s series, but the format GCN used was more enjoyable

Great to see the women congratulating each other after they found out who won! I know how disappointing the news must have been! Good sportsmanship!

One thing I really enjoyed about this years production is hearing more from the coaches. It was very interesting to hear more about what they were looking for and thinking during the contest.

I felt so hard for Anton having the best numbers and not getting the spot. But from a team´s perspective I can understand the decision taking the younger guy... Pro cycling is tough...

Differences were minor among the men. Luis was the youngest, and Mattia had the nicest personality. Not surprised with results.

Anton's reaction proved that they made the right decision. What a contrast to the way in which Mattia accepted the decision. One of them would bind a team the other would divide it.

judging a climber like gaffu on a 4minute effort smh

The two female runner ups both had a really fantastic attitude

Character > Big stats! I would love to see a video on where are they now. Not only the previous winners, but, even the other participants. Like did any other teams happen to see Zwift academy finals and then decided to invest in any of the aspiring riders?

It is impossible that Gaffuri is not contacted for an internship by other teams.

Maddie was the right choice and a great choice. Lovely personality and great rider - wishing her all the best for the next 12 months with the team.

Anton made a statement on strava if anybody is wondering, don't blame him too much for his reaction. His statement: "Before the Zwift race, we were instructed to protect the other two Alpecin riders. That's all they said, no specific tactics on how we should do it. The course we rode was flat with two climbs. From what I know about Zwift racing, it doesn't make much sense to ride at the front when it's flat. In road cycling you ride at the front to avoid crashes and to be able to react to attacks. In Zwift races, the opposite is true. There are no crashes and it's easier to counter attacks from the middle of the pack because you get all the draft boost when you accelerate. So while you're riding hard at the front, all the other riders are chilling behind you and when things get serious, you're tired and can't help. That's why I stayed in the pack at the beginning. After a while I got the instruction to ride more at the front, which I did. The next instruction I got was to save energy and try something on the climb. They didn‘t show that in the video, but it was the reason why I didn't pull after that. On the climb, I broke away from the group with Axel from Alpecin and rode as hard as I could with him (last 10mins of the race at 404 watt avg). Later we were caught and the rest is history. On the video, I seemed too stupid to listen to the instructions, but they didn't show my instruction to conserve energy for the climb and later criticized me for doing just that. Makes no sense to me 🙃 But in the end, you have to remember that the whole thing is a big show, so a bit of drama is welcome."

Well done, all six of you! Most of us wouldn't get such numbers and performance in a lifetime! Especially Maddie showed great development in her skills in the time before (!) the academy. 🇿🇦 Laura, I like your dream to develop women's cycling in Slovenia. You will make your way like the others. All had the possibility to shine, and there are other teams out there.

Maddie destroyed the other ones in the TT. Well deserved!

Seems like Anton that they are looking for a team player. Teams do not win when they do not act like a team and everyone is out for themselves. Maybe he can reflect or perhaps go to track racing where it is all in for yourself.

It's clear they made up their mind since episode 1. They were extremely biased toward the younger rider. It's understandable, because it takes years to fully develop a world tour rider, but they should just cap the candidates by age if they clearly don't want someone over a certain age.

WTF was that cut of the womens winner reveal? Who was supposed to follow any of that?

The problem is these guys could make it in other teams. Alpecin is just focused on more punchier and sprinter riders. Just not the right team but they are sponsored by Zwift so… I’d go with Mattia - great personality, great fatigue numbers. Basically get him an Ineos spot!

Avete preso il più panno di tutti

I understand Anton was disappointed, but his reaction was quite embarrassing. He needs to be more mature, although it’s good I guess he’s on a team now.

Easiest prediction ever they’d pick the youngest rider.

Magic Mattia 😎

Gaffuri ha il Kom sullo Stelvio per la cronaca😮

To cut it down to just 4 short chapters with riders of that potential is a bit sad but thx though... guess the other guys will be picked as well by other teams for sure

Again, this episode proved the GCN production was so much more enjoyable. Did not like that basic winner announcement. Still a very interesting series to watch and follow, but for next editions hope they get back to previous years format!

Anton embarrassed himself reacting like that. Being in a team is not about numbers. He seems arrogant. Maybe that’s what will get him to the top in future but as an aspiring pro, be more humble.

daje Gaffu te lo meriti!

quite enjoyed this series. best of luck to all these athletes.

OMG - was sure Anton would make it. Keeping fingers crossed he‘ll be picked by a pro team.

I love Maddie personality 👍 They're all good racers

Congrats on your performance, Anton! The guys who know you can confirm that your team spirit is very strong. So look forward and show your strengths on the bike 🔜

Why invite 24 year olds and then keep quoting there age.

great series, but it has to be said that the @GCN productions were much better. Better production and format. Also strange that there was almost no zwifting. Of course, road is by far the most important in selecting a rider for a team, but the zwift races added a lot of fun to the format.

Antons reaction to the decision = the reason for the decision, simple as that.

#GaffuRobbed this remind me of #ChiaraRobbed

CONGRATZ MADDIE PROUD SOUTH AFRICAN! well deserved. and ofc to the rest of the riders

Attitude is quite important for any industry!

Excellent choice, well deserved congratulations to both of you !!!

Ok now I am fan of Anton ... cheering to prove them wrong

Hanno preso quello con la skill della caduta? 😂

Very proud Bloem supporter, congrats Maddy!

Luis is good at crashing, which is what the team needs when crashing opponents before the sprint

I find it funny people say Anton's attitude sucks. You may as well say Mathieu or Wout's attitude sucks. Winners have huge self belief, bordering on arrogant. Not saying this guy has their talent, but for sure if he did have their talent without the self-belief he wouldn't make it in cycling. You gotta have a bit of an edge. The other two; career domestics for sure.

Fantastic Finale. Enjoyed this series! They continue to find incredible talent. Need more Pro teams to get involved for this recruitment effort.

Congratulations to the winners! And congratulations to the creators of this wonderful little series. As a professional screenwriter and even a sports content creator, I can only make compliments to all of you (director, camera and cutter!). This is the high level of creating performance we want to see! Thanks for sharing!

There’s always an advantage to a young rider, remember Sam Hill from the 2021 ZA, he won almost every challenge and race, but he was ruled out because of his age.

Well done Maddie! Flying the flag so high!

The Roodhoft bros. seems to not be very good selecting their finalist, why pick 2 GC like riders just to pick the one that is not basing the desition on a less tha 4min power test, also why pick 2 24 year old ones when is obvious you will pick the 19 year old... its like if they rigged it, next time pick the best 3 at the same rider type and age! also 2nd year that they sign the winner to the development team... the zwift academy should have alpecin deckeunick development team as a asponsor and not the main team

So proud of you Maddie, South Africa represent!!!

Last year's series was way better, more hype, longer episodes, more insides. Quality is incredible in this one, but still enjoyed more the 2023 versione.

Hanno preso uno che è caduto e che ha fatto i valori pou scarsi e che in cima alla salita era morto😂😂😂se doveva farne un altra faceva la meta dei watt😂...zio mafia

I'm very disappointed about the winner... he got the winning just about his age.. Anton had impressive numbers but we all see he needs to improve to handle the bike... Mattia had to be the winner without a doubt! Really unfair final... Forza Gaffu, non mollare che entri tra i pro lo stesso... nn c'è verso che nn trovi squadra uno come te... assurdo... impossibile.

chiediamo al Brambo di metterci una buona parola con i team italiani ❤

Vola Gaffu ❤

Fair decisions. About men. Team DS must look on their team preferencies and goals. Alpecin was right and Anton was like an offended child who was not given a favorite toy. Remember last year Chiara? She was the best and she did not win contract. And girls, Maddie was far the best of them.

Forza Gaffu!!! 💪💪💪 Planali

Let's be real, this is all more a sollicitation for a pro team, than a true academy with a winner... but fair choices, Louis and Maddie are great aditions to these teams and others are hopefully considered by other teams

GCN did a much better job especially with the format and their production

Yeah Maddie!!!!! 🇿🇦 🇿🇦 so proud!

Choise is understandable looking to the age, as they say "is the most teacheable". In my opinion this kind of selection like "zwift accademy" in the next future will became the most important talent discovering channel for cycling... I know traditional cycling will complaint, but the future comes always with a cut to the past 😊

Anton will make Alpecin regret their decision soon 🦍🤝🏻

Just shows Zwift is a genuine tool for the pro peloton and amateurs alike!

Unfair from the start, it was obvious they were gonna pick Louis, he wasn’t better than the other 2 at anything but he’s 19 so he got it, they need to do a better job of having everyone the same age so it can be fair

This is really awesome!! Thanks for sharing this with us! 👏 🔥

Not taking Gaffu seems like the dumbest thing ever.

@TourdeTietema nog interessante renners voor volgend seizoen? en misschien ook wel een idee voor jullie zo'n competitie?

loved louis from the beginning

Enjoyed this seasons but I feel previous seasons have been a lot better in terms of production

They don't choose winners they choose whatever they like if the main thing is the age stop choosing older people and waisting their time Anthony was the true winner previous edition were much better this was a joke

I love how everybody knows everything that happend during all 4 days but noone was there and each episode was like 10 minutes. Before you humble Anton, try to find out what really happened, because there were a lot of understatements in the videos and it's funny how easy it is to manipulate your perception.

Daje gaffu

Purtroppo il Gaffu non è riuscito a passare

Maddie is just so bubbly. Congratulations.🎉🎉

Great series. Like this format over GCN's Bachelor reality show format that was last year. Think they picked the best riders too.

Definitely the best riders won this year!! Great series

This series is always produced terribly. The winner is always announced int he most anti-climactic way possible and the progress of the riders is so difficult to follow. Even in the Zwift race sections, one minute someone has been dropped, then in the next cut they’re attacking off the front? So strange. Such a simple series to develop, please do better next season 🤞🏼

I'm happy for Maddie but I was also cheering for Mattia. Have to say all guys and girls have been pretty strong this year. I sincerely hope that other teams can offer a contract, if interested

looking on PCS has shown the men´s winner weeks ago

So proud of you Maddie!

Thank you for this ...again !

Great young talent getting their shot. This should make everyone smile.

After watching this I don't think I'd want to ride of Alpecin. Both of the coaches just seemed like people wouldn't get on well with. Their minds were made up from day one when they found out the ages.

Honestly this whole series I kept forgetting who was who… you need to edit better.

It's not just the age. It's also about being humble.

Anton’s attitude - during the entire series) - but especially in the end validate 💯 their choice… On the other hand, we’ll see Gaffi in ProTour for sure 👍

Well deserved Maddie!! As a South African I am stoked for you!

Seems like Anton was too arrogant for the team.

Can’t wait for next season!

Interesting views in the comments - Great show, content and detail.

I think it was looking at it from the outside from the content, the correct discussion both rides but Katy Hill I would help as she would make a very good rider

Really enjoy Zwift Academy and the angle it brings to professional racing. Great series, however this year's format and release really fell short of the previous years with gcn. This take was more artistic and the video capture was very high production quality but i feel it missed the mark. It missed on the excitement and the emotion of the participants instead by focusing more on scenic drone shots. The previous years felt more personal with interviews and glimpses into everyone's background and personalities. Races were also more exciting and less oriebtated around W/KG assessment... Another tip would be to stagger the release of episodes more. Weekly at least, take your viewers on a journey and build the suspense to the final. This felt a tad rushed!

Age is just a number, but numbers aren't age for Alpecin. So sad. Always age over power numbers, bike handling, confidence et cetera 😢

4:41 look at the graffiti 😂 🚲 🏠

this format is a bit unfair on close numbers of course they will always choose the youngest one, it makes sense from a team prospective but not fair at all for the other stronger competitor.....maybe good for the team but not for the show

GRAZIE GAFFU! Heartbroken after the decision, but i'm sure he will be back, because he turned some heads during these days. FACCI VOLARE! Very happy for Maddie, she had the most talent in following the team's orders and pushed the hardest, but I'm sure the other young rider, Katy, will have some attention from pro teams as well!

Anton has the numbers.. the others are not good enough to really win races