Sea Otter Classic
Season Kick Off
It's not every day you can get an affagatto served by Maghalie Rochette or the htSQD. But that's exactly what was served up at the Velocio Sea Otter booth this year, along with new and unreleased spring and summer apparel, an edge-of-the-seat Lifetime Grand Prix Race, and much more.
Read on to find out what happened this year at the event.
Explosive Results
Sea Otter's 2025 Lifetime Grand Prix race took the form of gravel instead of mountain riding. This meant higher speeds, bigger groups, multiple attacks, and multiple chases. A race that required less technical handling skills, and more sheer endurance.
It pushed athletes to the brink. It set the tone for the rest of the season.
Men's Elite
Keegan Swenson did it again. A first place finish against the best in the business.
While his result isn't foreign, the manner of it is. With 15 miles left in the race, the leading group of men, including Keegan, were chasing. A lone rider was out in front with a solid lead. With tremendous effort and coordination, they were able to reel him back in before the final climb, setting up the perfect place for a final attack.
And that's exactly what Keegan did. It didn't work. So he tried again. By the top of the climb he was able to get a small lead. He held on through the final descent, and crossed the line with a nine seconds to spare.
The extent of his exertion was on full display.
Behind Keegan, his teammate Tobin Ortenblad finished in 22nd place, Alex Howes took 30th, and Lance Haidet 35th.
Women's Elite
In the women's race, a game of chess played out, with a leading group nearly 20 riders strong for much of the last lap. Who was going to attack? And when?
Hayley Batten was the ultimate victor, perfectly navigating the course and setting down a blistering attack that at first only a few riders could follow, and then no one could. She kept up the pace until crossing the finish line in first, five minutes ahead of the second place finisher.
Following shortly there after, Alexis Skarda of the htSQD hammered through in fifth place, after chasing the attack group in the final miles and leaving most of the other racers behind.
Emma Langley took 14th place, Sarah Lange rounded out the top 15, and Deanna Mayles finished in 19th.
Inside The Show
While our athletes were hammering through the race, we were busy at the booth with the latest spring and summer apparel. From unreleased (and coming very soon) CONCEPT kit, to the latest LUXE, Ultralight, and TRAIL pieces, our complete refresh for 2025 was on display.
Each morning, espressos were flowing, and Friday afternoon the ice cream came out as well. The Affagatos with Athletes event offered the chance for anyone at the show to enjoy an afternoon treat while talking with all our athletes.
