Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race – Women’s Race
Sofía Gómez Villafañe and Bradyn Lange take the lead in the Life Time Grand Prix after triumphing at the Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race at Laguna Seca Raceway.
The women’s race kicked off with a series of attacks, setting a high pace for the second edition of the Sea Otter Gravel Race. Despite a number of riders’ attempts, the peloton stayed intact until mile 40, where former Life Time UNBOUND Gravel 200 presented by Shimano winners, Karolina Mignon and Rosa Klöser, launched a strong move. Sofía Gómez Villafañe showed her strength by reeling them back solo.
Series debutant Emma Langley continued the rapid racing by sending an attack before hitting the singletrack, forcing Sofía Gómez Villafañe and Kate Courtney (who is not part of the Life Time Grand Prix) to lead the chase. Heading into the final lap, the wind continued to pick up, slowing the leaders and allowing previously dropped athletes to rejoin, which included Paige Onweller, Sarah Lange and Alexis Skarda.
On the final ascent of Lookout Ridge, Sofía Gómez Villafañe, Karolina Mignon, Lauren Stephens, and Nele Johanna Laing (who is not part of the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix roster) went clear, leaving Kate Courtney unable to respond.
The group of four riders built a healthy lead over the splintered group, but in the closing kilometres, Sofía Gómez Villafañe laid down the hammer, gapping her three closest competitors and claiming the race victory with a time of 5hr 10min 39sec. She was followed by Karolina Mignon, just two seconds behind her, and Nele Johanna Laing, taking third.
Life Time Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race – Men’s Race
Meanwhile, in the men’s race, it wasn’t until the first singletrack section at mile 20 that Keegan Swenson and Brendan Johnston were able to gap the main bunch. They were joined shortly after by Wild Card rider Matthew Wilson, as they headed into the first ascent of Lookout Ridge.
Simon Pellaud led a group of 13 chasers to reel in the leading trio. As they made contact, Magnus Bak Klaris launched a decisive move with Anton Stensby jumping too. The new leaders gained a gap of 20 seconds while Simon Pellaud began to bridge the gap solo.
The trio was eventually caught, and heading in the final lap, a new lead group was established. This included Bradyn Lange, Keegan Swenson, Alexey Vermeulen, Anton Stensby, Cobe Freeburn, and Magnus Bak Klaris.
At mile 75, Matt Beers was able to rejoin the lead group after a long chase and launched a strong move at the base of Lookout Ridge, going clear of his competitors. With just five miles remaining, his teammate Keegan Swenson, with Bradyn Lange in tow, leapfrogged the South African and stole the race lead.
Keegan Swenson and Bradyn Lange battled it out right to the line with the American national Gravel champion, Bradyn Lange, denying the three-time Series champion victory with a time of 4hr 15min 03sec.
Results
Women’s Results
1. Sofía Gómez Villafañe (5hr 10min 39sec)
2. Lauren Stephens (5hr 10min 41sec)
3. Nele Johanna Laing (5hr 10min 45sec)
4. Karolina Migon (5hr 10min 48sec)
5. Kate Courtney (5hr 11min 15sec)
Men’s Results
1. Bradyn Lange (4hr 15min 03sec)
2. Keegan Swenson (4hr 15min 03sec)
3. Alexey Vermeulen (4hr 15min 14sec)
4. Magnus Bak Klaris (4hr 15min 12sec)
5. Matthew Beers (4hr 15min 46sec)
Series Leaderboard Results
Photos courtesy Life Time Sea Otter Classic
