UPDATE: Results revised based on final changes to provisional scoring.
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 4:15:03 at an average of 20.89 miles per hour.
The 26-year-old American — a former mountain biker and 2025 US Gravel National Champion — edged a returning Keegan Swenson, with Alexey Vermeulen third 11 seconds later. Magnus Bak Klaris finished fourth at 4:15:21, while Matt Beers rounded out the top five at 4:15:46. 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 also battled to a tight finish after five hours of racing. Three-time Life Time Grand Prix champion American Sofía Gómez Villafañe from the USA took the win in 5:10:39. USA gravel national champion and former road champion Lauren Stephens was two seconds back to take second. German Nele Johanna Laing was third at 5:10:45. Karolina Mignon and Olympian Kate Courtney rounded out the Top 5.
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
© 2026 Copyright Gran Fondo Daily News – All Rights Reserved