Keegan Swenson and Haley Batten reign supreme in
Monterey as the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix kicks off
Pro Women’s Race
Keegan Swenson continued his winning run at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic presented by Continental by powering to his fourth successive victory in Monterey, while Sofía Gómez Villafañe also took maximum points in the Life Time Grand Prix after finishing the race in second position behind the triumphant Haley Batten.
The 35th edition saw the discipline switch from MTB to gravel, but Swenson proved unstoppable once again in the men’s race by launching a stinging attack on the final ascent of Lookout Ridge and then pressing home his advantage in typically dominant style.
The 31-year-old crossed the line nine seconds ahead of Matthew Beers – who also wrapped up his second podium placing in as many years – with Alexey Vermeulen 29 seconds further back in third.
In the women’s race, Batten took the crown after commencing her winning move almost 50 miles in. The Olympic silver medalist never looked back and sealed her win by five minutes and 23 seconds. As Batten wasn’t competing in the Life Time Grand Prix, it was Villafañe who proved the highest-placed Series finisher, taking second place 14 seconds ahead of Cecily Decker.
Those results mean Swenson and Villafañe sit at the top of the overall standings with 35 points respectively, with Beers and Decker both with 33 points, and Vermeulen and Hayley Preen – who finished the women’s race in fourth place – two points further behind.
In the Wild Card competition, Petr Vakoc and Maude Farrell top that leaderboard after finishing in fourth and 17th places respectively, while Griffin Hoppin and Emily Stapleton lead the U23 Program with their respective 29th and 36th-placed finishes.
Pro Men’s Race
Men’s winner Keegan Swenson said: “It was fast, tactical racing all day and Lookout Ridge was the only place where there was much selection. On the first two laps it separated on there and then came back together, but with the group getting smaller each time. I knew that was going to be the place to go on the last lap, and that I needed to play my cards right.
“Before I made my move I tried to play it smart and save my energy. I put in a dig on the first steep bit and knew they’d be hurting behind. I had a feeling Matt and Alexey would come back, but that they’d have to work hard to do so, and I rested up a little bit so I could hit out again on the last section of that climb.
“I gave it everything I had, opened up a small gap and then managed to defend it all the way to the finish.
“It’s always good to start the season off with a win here, in terms of confidence and points. It’s nice to have a little buffer heading into UNBOUND too because that’s a crazy, hectic race where anything can happen.”
Women’s winner Haley Batten said: “This was my first gravel race so I had no real plan and just wanted to see how the athletes were riding and working together. They didn’t seem to be in sync so I thought, if I surprise everyone, no one would be expecting it.
“I had hoped a rider or two would come with me so there would be more chance of making the move stick. I pushed really hard though, and knew if anyone hesitated for a second behind that I could get away, and I just kept going. During the last lap I was regretting my move as I was deep in the pain cave, but it turned out well.
“The Life Time Grand Prix is a super exciting Series, with so many super strong athletes, and I hope to show up for more races in the future.”
Photos – Life Time Sea Otter Classic
