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

Multiply your weight in kg by 2.2. A 70 kg rider needs 154 W. An 80 kg rider needs 176 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 Maria on Zwift?

Maria rides at 2.2 W/kg — fifth in the 10-pacer lineup. All RoboPacers weigh 75 kg, putting Maria's raw output at 165 W on flat terrain.

Is Maria good for endurance training?

For many recreational cyclists, yes. 2.2 W/kg sits in Zone 2 for riders with an FTP of 2.8–3.0 W/kg or above, making long Maria sessions genuinely useful for aerobic base building. Below that FTP, Maria starts to feel like threshold rather than endurance.

What FTP do I need for Maria?

To ride Maria comfortably for long sessions, an FTP of around 2.7–3.0 W/kg puts 2.2 W/kg at 73–81% — comfortable endurance territory. With an FTP below 2.5 W/kg, Maria will feel like moderate-to-hard work rather than sustainable aerobic pace.

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

Q: Maria vs Coco — is it a big jump?

Maria is 2.2 W/kg and Coco is 2.6 W/kg — a 0.4 W/kg gap. For a 70 kg rider that's 154 W vs 182 W. Coco is where many riders first feel they're genuinely being tested. Spend time with Maria until you can complete a full session without digging deep, then attempt Coco.

Your watts for Maria

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at your weight on flat terrain

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Your weight

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

Meet Maria

★ Fan lore — unofficial & written for fun

Maria is where riders start to separate. At 2.2 W/kg, you're no longer in the group that anyone can keep up with — you need to have actually been training. Her group feels different from the lower pacers: quieter, more focused, people who know what W/kg means and have been tracking their progression. She's the last of the moderate pacers, and riders who master her before moving to Coco tend to make the jump more cleanly than those who rush it. Maria teaches patience.

Who suits Maria

Maria is the last stop before the harder pacers — she suits riders who've built real fitness and are working toward Coco or beyond.

Riders who've spent time with Miguel (1.8 W/kg) and find it manageable for 60+ minutes — Maria is the natural next challenge.
Intermediate cyclists who ride regularly and have an FTP of 2.5+ W/kg. Maria sits within comfortable aerobic range for them.
Anyone preparing specifically to join Coco's group — spending 4–8 weeks solid at Maria builds the baseline for the step up.
Experienced riders on recovery days. If your FTP is 3.5+ W/kg, Maria is light active recovery with a bit of group energy.

Maria is often the pacer where riders first experience "the drop" — the moment where they fall off the back because they couldn't sustain the pace through a climb. It's instructive rather than demoralising. Note where you fell off. Come back and measure the improvement.

What to expect in Maria's group

Group size

Medium — focused

Draft benefit

~20–25% mid-pack

Zwift category

Cat D / Cat C border

Dynamic pacing

+10% climbs / −20% descents

Maria's group is noticeably more serious than the beginner pacers. Riders know their numbers, they ride efficiently, and the group holds together better on flat routes. On climbs at 2.2 × 1.1 = 2.42 W/kg, less-prepared riders will feel it significantly. Choosing flat routes with Maria is a good strategy for building consistency before tackling mixed terrain.

See all 10 RoboPacer watt targets at once — understand exactly where Maria sits in your training range.

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Common questions about Maria

How many watts do I need to ride with Maria?

Multiply your weight in kg by 2.2. A 70 kg rider needs 154 W; an 80 kg rider needs 176 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%.

Maria vs Coco — is it a big jump?

Maria is 2.2 W/kg and Coco is 2.6 W/kg — a 0.4 W/kg gap that feels larger than it looks on paper. For a 70 kg rider that's 154 W vs 182 W sustained. Coco is genuinely hard for most recreational cyclists, and the group moves faster and holds a tighter draft window. Don't rush the move to Coco — let Maria become comfortable first.

Is Maria good for sportive preparation?

Yes, for events at moderate endurance pace. If you can ride Maria for 90+ minutes without dropping off, you have a solid base for most amateur sportives. For hillier events, also practice on routes with elevation while at Maria's pace — the dynamic pacing on climbs is a useful preview.

What is Maria's watt output on Zwift?

Maria produces 165 W on flat terrain. All RoboPacers weigh 75 kg — 75 × 2.2 = 165 W exactly. On climbs this rises to around 182 W; on descents it drops to around 132 W.

Should I ride Maria before trying Coco?

Almost certainly yes. Riders who jump from Miguel (1.8 W/kg) straight to Coco (2.6 W/kg) often find the gap too large and either burn out or get dropped repeatedly. Maria at 2.2 W/kg is a properly calibrated intermediate step. Give it 4–8 consistent weeks before attempting Coco.

Targeting Coco? Maria is the right preparation.

Build your 2.2 W/kg legs here before making the jump.

Get Started on Zwift →

Check where Maria is riding today. Routes rotate regularly.

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