SISU Punainen 2026 – A Vuelta-Inspired Test of Pure Climbing Grit
In August/September 2026, SISU Racing launches its boldest challenge yet: SISU Punainen, a Vuelta-inspired, seven-stage race series built for riders who thrive when the road tilts skyward. Set entirely in Watopia, this inaugural edition is unapologetically brutal, beautifully relentless, and designed for the mountain goats of the virtual peloton.
Riders will compete for three individual classifications, ensuring every stage offers something to race for. The coveted Punainen Jersey rewards the overall General Classification leader based on cumulative elapsed time across all seven stages. The Sprintteri Jersey recognises the fastest riders through the designated sprint segments, while the Vuorikauris (Mountain Goat) Jersey celebrates the strongest climbers. Whether you're an all-rounder, a sprinter or a pure climber, there's a jersey to chase.
Just like the Vuelta, SISU Punainen rewards courage, consistency, and climbing prowess.
The Stages
Stage 1 – Hilly Route, WATOPIA (Individual Time Trial)
Sat 22 & Sun 23 August
The battle begins against the clock. Short, sharp climbs and rolling terrain demand pacing perfection from the very first pedal stroke. No drafting, no hiding—just you, your legs, and the road. A true test of early form that can set the tone for the entire race.
Stage 2 – Mayan San Remo, Watopia
Tue 25 & Wed 26 August
A deceptively demanding stage blending flowing roads with late climbing pressure. Positioning and patience are key as riders balance conserving energy with staying alert for decisive moves. Expect aggressive racing as contenders begin to show their intent.
Stage 3 – Three Little Sisters, Watopia
Sat 29 & Sun 30 August
Punchy climbs come in quick succession, forcing repeated accelerations and punishing hesitation. This stage favors riders who can recover fast and attack hard. The GC picture starts to sharpen as cracks begin to appear.
Stage 4 – Climbers Gambit, Watopia
Tue 1 & Wed 2 September
The name says it all. Long climbs and sustained gradients invite bold attacks and strategic risks. This is a stage where climbers can go all-in—and where overconfidence can be costly. A true mid-race turning point.
Stage 5 – Big Loop, Watopia
Sat 5 & Sun 6 September
Endurance meets tactics on Watopia’s iconic circuit. With varied terrain and constant pressure, this stage rewards smart racing and strong teams. It’s a chance to defend, regroup, or ambush rivals before the final mountain tests.
Stage 6 – Mountain 8, Watopia
Tue 8 & Wed 9 September
Classic climbing drama. Two major ascents shape a stage that demands both strength and restraint. Fatigue is now a constant companion, and every climb feels longer than the last. GC contenders must stay sharp—or risk everything unraveling.
Stage 7 – MOUNTAIN ROUTE, Watopia
Sat 12 & Sun 13 September
One of Watopia's classic climbing challenges and a true test of endurance, covering 29.7 km with approximately 683 metres of elevation gain. The route features the full Epic KOM climb before tackling the brutal Radio Tower ascent, a short but savage 1.2 km climb averaging almost 13%, where the steep gradients often decide the strongest climbers.
ZWIFT RACE SCORE
In our ongoing effort to keep the racing scene fresh and competitive, the upcoming SISU Punainen series is embracing Zwift's flexible new Zwift Racing Score (ZRS) framework!
Following a format similar to the recent Zwift Tour Fever series, this shift away from standard Category boundaries allows us to create tighter, more closely matched fields.
What this means for you:
A Shakeup in the Pack: If you usually find yourself stuck in the middle of a traditional category, this is your chance to step up, animate the race, and battle for the win.
New Challenges for Front-Runners: Former category leaders will be pushed to find new limits against a freshly recalibrated field.
Dynamic Racing Throughout: While the elite action in A Grade will remain as fierce as ever, expect highly competitive, unpredictable, and dynamic racing across the board - especially in Cat D Grade and expanded E Grade!
A Grade: 701-1000
B Grade: 551-700
C Grade: 401-550
D Grade: 251-400
E Grade: 1-250
THE JERSEYS
The General Classification (GC) is decided by the cumulative elapsed time taken to complete all seven stages. The Team Classification is based on the combined time of each team's fastest three riders on every stage.
The Sprintteri and Vuorikauris (Mountain Goat) classifications are determined by a rider's cumulative time through all designated Sprint and KOM/QOM segments of Stages 2 to 7. Where a stage includes the same segment multiple times, only the rider's fastest time through that segment will count toward the classification.
UPGRADE INFORMATION
Riders who upgrade during the first six stages will be classified in their higher grade. Riders who upgrade in Stage 7 will not be re-classified.
further INFORMATION
Open events using Zwift’s Racing Score with separate results for Men and Women.
Each event is a mass start with all riders visible on the course.
TT bikes are mandatory for the iTT. Draft will be disabled.
Z Power and riders without heart rate data will be excluded from the results.
A rider's best time will count if they race the same stage in multiple zones.
To be included in the GC riders must have a Zwiftpower profile.
Team GC will be based on each team’s fastest three riders.
For more information, and results, visit sisu.racing/punainen.
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