Wahoo winds up to take on Zwift

Wahoo has acquired RGT (Road Grand Tours) cycling, a virtual cycling platform, in a move that appears to continue its move to take on Zwift in the online cycling metaverse.

The new platform will be called Wahoo RGT and will be combined with Wahoo SYSTM into a new subscription model called Wahoo X. RGT isn’t nearly as popular as Zwift, but is considered to provide a more realistic online experience rather than the “gamified” environment that has attracted so many to the Zwift platform. Athletes can also build their routes for the RGT platform based on GPX files.

“Wahoo RGT represents the next generation of virtual cycling, allowing cyclists to ride, race and explore on highly-detailed virtual roads, either alone or with others,” the company announced in a release today. “Powered by an advanced physics engine, Wahoo RGT provides realistic drafting, cornering and braking, making it less like a video game and more like an immersive cycling simulator. Athletes can choose from a library of some of cycling’s most iconic routes and race courses—complete with authentic scenery and cheering fans—or upload their own GPX file from any route in the world and let RGT build an accurate, virtual version with the innovative Magic Roads feature. RGT also has a strong social component and robust calendar of virtual events. Subscribers have the ability to create, customize, and schedule virtual events like group rides and races and invite athletes from around the world. Users can join public events created by the RGT community, RGT’s brand partners, and the RGT community.”

In 2019 Wahoo acquired Sufferfest, another online cycling training platform, and rebranded it to Wahoo SYSTM “a comprehensive training platform for cyclists and triathletes that offers personalized workouts paired with immersive, video-based content, as well as yoga, strength, and mental training, all integrated into customizable training plans for cycling and multisport.”

The new Wahoo X subscription service will give athletes access to both Wahoo RGT and Wahoo SYSTM with one subscription.

“The acquisition of RGT Cycling and the launch of the new Wahoo X subscription service gives athletes more options, more convenience, and more control over how they train,” said Mike Saturnia, CEO of Wahoo. “With a single subscription and one account that works across the entire suite of Wahoo products, we’re able to deliver unprecedented value and a best-in-class experience that seamlessly integrates the Wahoo ecosystem of hardware and software solutions, allowing athletes to get the most out of their training, whether indoors or outdoors. And while the benefits are best realized through the Wahoo ecosystem, we’re committed to ensuring that our expanded offering of comprehensive training and virtual cycling software remains open and compatible with key industry players and standards. Athlete choice and freedom will continue to be at the heart of everything we do at Wahoo.”

The new subscription service is available for iOS, Android, macOS and Windows. Existing SYSTM and RGT subscribers will be migrated over to the new platform. Subscriptions for the new platform will cost US$14.99 a month or US$129 for the year. There’s a two week trial available.

You can find out more about Wahoo X here.