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United States | Midwest | Ohio >> Bradyn Lange and Sofia Gomez Villafañe Triumph at the 2026 Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race
 
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Bradyn Lange and Sofia Gomez Villafañe Triumph at the 2026 Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race

2026 Life Time Grand Prix Series leaderboard begins to take shape in the windy conditions of the opening round at 2026 Lifetime Sea Otter Classic Bike Expo

Bradyn Lange and Sofia Gomez Villafañe Triumph at the 2026 Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race

In a thrilling start to the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix, Bradyn Lange (Canyon x DT Swiss All-Terrain Racing) clinched victory in the first stage of the Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race, completing the challenging 88.8-mile course in an impressive time of 4:14:48, averaging 20.91 miles per hour. Lange's victory was marked by a breathtaking finale that ended Keegan Swenson's four-year winning streak, as he narrowly outpaced Keegan Swenson in a dramatic sprint to the finish.

In the elite men's field, the stakes were high, and Lange's performance stood out as a testament to his tenacity and skill. The former mountain biker and 2025 U.S. Gravel National Champion demonstrated his prowess after recently winning The Hills Gravel in Italy through a dynamic solo attack of 40 kilometers. Magnus Bak Klaris secured third place behind Swenson with an equal time of 4:15:03, while Alexey Vermeulen and Matt Beers rounded out the top five, finishing in 4:15:14 and 4:15:29, respectively. Swenson, returning from a fractured pelvis sustained in a training accident earlier this year, showcased his resilience with a commendable second-place finish.

Bradyn Lange (Canyon x DT Swiss All-Terrain Racing) clinched victory

The women's race delivered its own intensity, with Sofia Gomez Villafañe (Specialized Off-road) successfully defending her Grand Prix title in a nail-biting finish. Gomez Villafañe crossed the line at 5:10:39, just two seconds ahead of Lauren Stephens, while newcomer Nele Laing took third, finishing ahead of fourth-placed Karolina Migon. The windy conditions and strategic racing added to the challenge, yet Gomez Villafañe's tactical flair shone through as she executed a late breakaway to seize victory.

Sofia Gomez Villafañe (Specialized Off-road) successfully defending her Grand Prix title

This year's Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race was historic, as it was broadcast live in full for the first time on YouTube, bringing the excitement of gravel cycling to a wider audience.

The race is part of a six-event series boasting a substantial prize pool of $590,000 USD, continuing with the UNBOUND Gravel 200 in Emporia, Kansas, on May 30, 2026.

2026 Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race Men's Elite Top 10

1 Bradyn Lange 4:15:03
2 Keegan Swenson ''
3 Alexey Vermeulen +11
4 Magnus Bak Klaris +18
5 Matthew Beers +43
6 Cobe Freeburn +1:49
7 Cole Paton +1:50
8 Jordy Bouts (Bel) +2:02
9 Simon Pellaud +5:29
10 Andrew L'esperance +6:04
 
2026 Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race Women's Elite Top 10
 
1 Sofia Gomez Villafane 5:10:39
2 Lauren Stephens +02 
3 Nele Johanna Laing +06
4 Karolina Migon +07
5 Kate Courtney +27
6 Hayley Preen +27
7 Rosa Klöser +29
8 Cecily Decker +1:00
9 Larissa Hartog +1:10
10 Samara Sheppard +1:27
 
Link to 2026 Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race: https://www.seaotterclassic.com/results
 
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