Sea Otter Classic - Cross Country- Pro Men Live Updates

Kabush brings it all back together. It's going to be a 3 up sprint for the win!

All three riders wind it up. And it's looks like Stander is going to take the win!

He just inches in front of Geoff Kabush with Wells right behind.

Christoph Sauser rolls in unchallenged for fourth with Roel Paulisen in the fifth and final podium spot

Marco Fontana takes 6th

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski and Jeremiah Bishop come sprinting into the finish with JHK just taking it in front of the Cannondale rider

Special thanks to Todd Park for assistance with the reporting today
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With a 1/2 lap left Wells attacks on one of the dirt climbs but Kabush closes it down and counters with his own move putting him in the lead. It doesn't last long.

Now Stander takes his shot with a huge acceleration! He has a gap but it's small...

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As the leaders enter the final lap it's now Stander's turn to attack on the pavement of Laguna Seca. Kabush quickly shuts down the young South African with Wells locked onto his wheel.

It's great to see an American doing this sort of damage in a field stacked with international talent


Sauser remains in 4th but he is now too far out to contest the lead. It will come down to Stander, Kabush, or Wells

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The third lap is now done. Geoff Kabush attacks the Specialized duo on the track. Kabush wants to get rid of these two or at least split them up. Even someone as strong as K-Bomb doesn't stand a chance against the combined strength of Stander and Wells.

Kabush needs to keep the pace high to keep Sauser from bridging up and making it three against one at the front.

The chase group is no down to just one rider and it's Sauser.

Just 45 seconds behind Sauser it's a group of six including Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski, Marco Fontana, and Roel Paulisen
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At the beginning of the third lap Todd Wells and teammate Burry Stander have moved off the front with Canadian Geoff Kabush in tow

Christoph Sauser is in fourth with one comrade.
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After the opening lap a lead group of twelve has joined at the front. Most of the top contenders are in front group. The games are already beginning as no one wants to pull through the paved sections of the course.

Todd Wells launches a big attack on the climb just before the riders exit the race track.

Sam Schultz and Ryan Trebon are two big names not currently in the lead group. They are both chasing hard to get on.

These riders completed the first lap in just 18 minutes! Unfortunately some racers will be getting pulled on the next lap.

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The men's race has just started.

It promises to be a truly high-octane event with some of the fastest men in the world on hand. Yesterday's winner Todd Wells will certainly be up front as will his teammate South African Burry Stander. Euro World Cuppers Marco Fontana, Roel Paulisen, and Christoph Sauser will all be looking to steal a win on US soil. And of course, Geoff Kabush is always a factor.

In order to comply with UCI regulations the Sea Otter course has been radically modified from it's previous route. Now racers will stay on the Laguna Seca raceway for about 3/4 of a mile throughout the race while periodically ducking onto the dirt for some singletrack. FInally the race leaves the raceway for two steep off-road climbs before entering the track again just before the finish. Laps shouldn't take more than 18-19 minutes for these monster of mountain biking.

Stay tuned for all the action with live updates each lap on MTBRaceNews.com