Bradyn Lange (Canyon x DT Swiss All-Terrain Racing) won the opening round of the 2026 Life Time Grand Prix on Thursday at the Sea Otter Classic Gravel Race in Monterey, California, finishing the 88.8-mile course in 4:14:48 at an average of 20.91 miles per hour.
The 26-year-old American — a former mountain biker and 2025 US Gravel National Champion — edged a returning Keegan Swenson by just 15 seconds, with Magnus Bak Klaris third at the same time as Swenson (4:15:03). Alexey Vermeulen finished fourth at 4:15:14, while Matt Beers rounded out the top five at 4:15:29. Swenson, a four-time Sea Otter champion, was racing for the first time since fracturing his pelvis in a February training accident, making his runner-up finish a strong statement of his recovery. Lange’s win builds on his recent form: he took victory at The Hills Gravel in Italy last month with a 40-kilometre solo attack.
In the women’s race, the top seven riders finished within six seconds of each other after 66.7 miles. Polish rider Karolina Migoń (PAS Racing) took the win in 3:49:32 — the reigning UNBOUND Gravel champion — with German Nele Johanna Laing just one second behind. Three-time Life Time Grand Prix champion Sofía Gómez Villafañe (USA) and Olympian Kate Courtney followed at 3:49:33 and 3:49:35 respectively.
On Friday amateur age group categories will compete on the same gravel circuit, with results available via the link below.
The race was live-streamed in its entirety for the first time, free on YouTube. The six race series with an unprecedented $590,000 prize purse continues with UNBOUND Gravel 200 in Emporia, Kansas, on 30 May 2026.
Complete 2026 Sea Otter Gravel results HERE
Photo Credit: Instagram/seaotterclassic
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