Zwift, the online global training platform for cyclists and runners ousted their selection of four ambitious triathletes who will form the Specialized Zwift Academy Triathlon Team. Nobody less than Geert Janssen is one of the lucky four and will receive the full sponsor package. Last year he crashed in the midst of a strong bike leg on Hawaii, this year it seems his luck has turned...
The start of the 'Zwift Academy Programme' has opened a whole new world for quite some cyclists, several of those are currently to be found in the pro-peloton after being discovered on Zwift. With the creation of Zwift Run, Zwift shifted his focus from cycling to triathlon, the scouting program selected four of these athletes to participate in the Team and who will be coached by some big names to the Ironman on Hawaii.
The whole Zwift community will be included in the progress, as Zwift will organize group run and bike sessions. The lucky few will benefit from the best material support an amateur team can dream off. Smart trainers and smart treadmills, Specialized bikes and S-Works equipment. Retül bikefitting and windtunnel testing in Specialized headquarters at Morgan Hill, CA. Coaching will be provided by both Tim Don and Lucy Charles.
(https://www.facebook.com/geert.janssens.3/videos/10212668065710986/)
Geert Janssens was selected from thousands of applications to participate in this project. "I saw a commercial for the program pass online, and at first I thought it would not matter if I applied or not," tells Geert. "The chance to be selected was minimal, but who dares wins, so I gave it a shot. I received the message that I was with the last group of selected, so I decided to up the antes and create an introduction movie with a surprising slot. Two weeks without notice, I thought the train had passed, but then the decisive mail came. I was thrilled. I will grab this opportunity with both hands, the fact that there are so much athletes who envy my selection will thrive me even more," he says.
Geert is selected along with a German triathlete and female British and American triathletes.
(https://www.facebook.com/GoZwiftTri/videos/220698638697959/)
Original article posted on 3athlon.be by Gert-Jan D'haene on 25/04/2018
Translation by @T0v3