How many watts do I need to ride with Jacques on Zwift?

Multiply your weight in kg by 3.2. A 70 kg rider needs 224 W. An 80 kg rider needs 256 W. Use the calculator on this page for your exact number. That's the flat-terrain baseline — drafting mid-pack typically cuts effort by 20–25%.

What W/kg is Jacques on Zwift?

Jacques rides at 3.2 W/kg — eighth in the 10-pacer lineup. All RoboPacers weigh 75 kg, putting Jacques' raw output at 240 W on flat terrain.

Is Jacques hard to ride with on Zwift?

Yes, for most recreational cyclists. 3.2 W/kg is above the FTP of the majority of regular Zwift users. Staying with Jacques requires being in genuine Cat B territory or having a high FTP relative to your goals. Most riders who join Jacques are experienced cyclists who train regularly and specifically.

Jacques vs Genie — what's the difference?

Jacques is 3.2 W/kg and Genie is 3.7 W/kg — a 0.5 W/kg gap that's substantial. For a 70 kg rider that's 224 W vs 259 W. Genie is genuinely elite-adjacent territory. If you can sustain Jacques for a full session, you're a serious cyclist, but Genie requires another level again.

What FTP do I need to ride with Jacques?

To ride Jacques comfortably, aim for an FTP of around 3.8–4.2 W/kg, putting 3.2 W/kg at roughly 76–84% of FTP — sustained aerobic effort. Below 3.5 W/kg FTP, Jacques will feel like threshold or above for extended sessions.

Riding with Jacques on Zwift — How Many Watts Do You Need?

Your watts for Jacques

—W

at your weight on flat terrain

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−1 kg

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Your weight

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+1 kg

⛰️ Flat terrain baseline. Jacques uses dynamic pacing: up to +10% uphill, up to −20% downhill. Mid-pack draft typically cuts effort by around 20–25%.

Meet Jacques

★ Fan lore — unofficial & written for fun

Jacques doesn't wait. At 3.2 W/kg his group has a different quality from the pacers below — it's smaller, faster, and the pace rarely lets up regardless of terrain. The riders around him have usually been at this for years. They know how to draft efficiently, when to ease and when to hold, how to manage effort over long sessions without blowing up. Following Jacques is a privilege you earn. The people in his group aren't there by accident.

Who suits Jacques

Jacques suits dedicated cyclists with real training histories and FTPs that put 3.2 W/kg firmly in endurance rather than threshold territory.

Riders with an FTP above 4.0 W/kg looking for sustained moderate-hard endurance work. Jacques puts them in Zone 2–3.
Cat B Zwift racers using Jacques for structured base miles — 3.2 W/kg sustained is meaningful race-pace preparation at that level.
Experienced riders who find Yumi (2.9 W/kg) manageable and want to step up. The 0.3 W/kg increase is noticeable but not brutal.
Competitive cyclists using Zwift as winter training at high-quality aerobic pace.

Jacques is where most riders on the platform max out. Above 3.2 W/kg you're in territory that requires structured training and genuine talent — not just consistency. If you can hold Jacques comfortably, you're performing above the vast majority of Zwift users.

What to expect in Jacques' group

Group size

Small and fast

Draft benefit

~20–25% mid-pack

Zwift category

Cat B territory

Dynamic pacing

+10% climbs / −20% descents

Jacques' group is small and efficient. Riders stay tucked and the group moves with purpose. On climbs at 3.2 × 1.1 = 3.52 W/kg, only very fit cyclists will hold the wheel. If you get dropped on a climb, the gap comes quickly — the group doesn't ease. Choose flat or rolling routes while you're building into this level.

Compare Jacques against all 10 RoboPacers at once — see the full watt picture.

Full Calculator →

Common questions about Jacques

How many watts do I need to ride with Jacques?

Multiply your weight in kg by 3.2. A 70 kg rider needs 224 W; an 80 kg rider needs 256 W. The calculator above gives your exact figure. That's the flat-terrain front-of-group number — mid-pack draft typically cuts this by 20–25%.

Jacques vs Genie — can I step up?

Genie rides at 3.7 W/kg — a significant 0.5 W/kg above Jacques. For a 70 kg rider that's 224 W vs 259 W. Genie requires near-elite fitness for most riders. If you can sustain Jacques for a full session, you're ready to attempt Genie for short stints, but sustained Genie riding requires another level of training commitment.

Is Jacques good for Cat B race preparation?

Yes. Cat B Zwift racing typically requires 3.0–4.0 W/kg, so Jacques at 3.2 W/kg sits right in that range. Sustained Jacques sessions build the aerobic base that translates to Cat B performance. Combine with higher-intensity work for the race-specific fitness you'll also need.

What is Jacques' watt output on Zwift?

Jacques produces 240 W on flat terrain. All RoboPacers weigh 75 kg — 75 × 3.2 = 240 W exactly. On climbs this rises to around 264 W; on descents it drops to around 192 W.

How long does it take to work up to Jacques?

For a recreational cyclist starting from scratch, reaching Jacques comfortably typically takes 18–36 months of consistent structured training. The path usually goes Sofia → Taylor → Bernie → Miguel → Maria → Coco → Yumi → Jacques, spending 4–12 weeks at each level. Rushing the progression is the most common mistake.

Serious about Zwift training? Jacques is where it gets real.

3.2 W/kg puts you in the top tier of recreational cyclists. Train smart to get here and stay here.

Get Started on Zwift →

Check where Jacques is riding today. Routes rotate regularly.

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