🏁 Winter League Rules
Drafting Dinos Winter League · Handicap · Teamwork · Fun
League at a Glance
3–6 riders vs 3–6 riders using a 3-6 v 3-6 handicap system to keep things close.
Create a new team (min 3 riders) or join one already in the league.
12–1 points scale per match, feeding into the main league table.
🦖 How to Join a Team
Click the Join page below and give us your details and we will find you a team. OR you can create your own team, just leave us the details and we will take care of the rest for you. Join the Winter League .
Once you’ve joined a team, your captain will invite you to either the Messenger chat or Discord chat where you can submit your weekly availability.
These rules ensure fair and competitive racing across all categories using our 4v4 handicap system.
1. Format Overview
- Each match is between 3–6 riders vs 3–6 riders.
- Handicap start times level the field between A–D category riders.
- Every race should finish as close as possible, teamwork wins races!
2. Start Procedure
- All riders must join the Zwift start pen early.
- Use the Handicap Calculator on our site to find your start delay.
- The slowest team (highest handicap) starts first.
- Other teams must wait in the pen for their instructed delay before moving.
- Example: “Team Alpha, please wait 30 seconds after Team Bravo starts.”
- Timing begins when the first team moves, not when your team leaves.
3. Team Composition
- Each team fields 4–6 riders.
- Riders must use their correct ZwiftPower category (A–D).
4. Handicap System
Handicap start (Racing Score system) To keep races close and fair, we use a Racing Score handicap. Before each match, both teams’ rider Racing Scores are added together to create a Team Total for each side. The difference between the two totals is then used to calculate a start delay. The stronger team (higher Team Total) will wait in the start pen for the calculated time, and the other team starts first.
5a Timing & Results
Results posted on the Winter League page after verification.
Points:
5b:- Cohesion Bonus Points
- Cohesion Bonus (Rewards Teamwork) Teams can earn a bonus based on how closely they finish together: +3 points if All 4 riders finish together. Awarded when all four riders finish within 30 seconds of each other. +1 point For any 3 riders finish together Awarded when three riders finish within the same 30 second window. 0 points if 1 or 2 riders together No bonus is awarded. Definition of “together”: Measured from the first to last rider in the group on the team. If this time difference is 30 seconds or less, the cohesion bonus applies.
6. Fair Play
- No early starts. Starting before your delay = disqualification.
- No power-ups unless stated in the event.
- No sandbagging or false categories. fair play is mandatory.
7. Communication
- Team captains must ensure all riders understand their start delay.
- Use Discord voice chat during races for coordination.
- Official updates and rule changes appear in the Winter League captains group.
8. Spirit of the League
We race hard, fair, and together.
Respect your opponents, your teammates, and the Drafting Dinos name. 🦖
9. Challenge & Match Setup
- Each team has a chat group for weekly availability.
- Captains submit fixtures to the Challenge Board .
- Confirmed events appear as Upcoming Matches on the website and in the Zwift Companion App.
- Completed matches move automatically to Completed Matches and update the leaderboard.
10. Map Selection
For the first month, the admin team will decide the map.
It will be a route that doesn’t favour climbers or sprinters specifically.
After the league takes shape, the team in the lowest league position will choose the next map.
Maps must be sensible:
Not overly hilly, and finishable in a reasonable time.
Finally, let's build this league together as we go.
This is a brand new concept. Issues may arise or tweaks may be needed.
Your ideas, big or small, are extremely welcome.
Together we can shape this league into something special. 💚