The Sea Otter Classic is not only the largest cycling festival in the world; it’s also the kickoff event of the racing season. With the spotlight on them and pressure to perform, athletes pour into Monterey, California, in an effort to put up solid results and start their season on the right track. For Maxxis, this Sea Otter was especially noteworthy as it included the debut of the new Maxxis Factory Racing Team.

For those who may not know, the team includes two endurance and two gravity-based athletes: Andrew L’Esperance and Haley Smith cover the cross country and gravel events, while Colton Peterson and Sophie Allen race enduro and some downhill. Sea Otter also saw the premier of the team’s new Hyperthreads kits, designed by Humid Creative.

Despite supply chain troubles and a resulting lack of some race bike parts, Maxxis Factory Racing had a great debut week. L’Esperance picked up the team’s first win of the year in the 40k gravel race on the Ibis Cycles Hakka MX, as well as a fifth-place finish in the XC 80k main event. Smith also had an impressive outing with a sixth place in the XC race.

Colton Peterson placed 8^th in the Enduro and 18^th in the downhill, looking very fast against some of the world’s top racers. Sophie raced three events (whew!), with highlights including a 12^th-place Pro Women finish in the enduro. Stan’s Wheels and Sealant kept the team rolling smooth and fast without worry during all the events.

Maxxis athletes shined throughout Sea Otter, constantly putting up fantastic results. Jill Kintner (Norco Bikes) led the charge, winning the dual slalom and the downhill races. Keegan Wright, flashing his new Yeti Cycles race bike, sprinted to a win in the Pro Men’s dual slalom race. Not to be confused with Wright, Keegan Swenson (Santa Cruz Bicycles) picked up the win in the XC 80k event, rounding off an amazing week of racing at the Sea Otter Classic.

Maxxis’ next expo will be at Northwest Tune-Up, July 8-10, in Bellingham, Washington. Be sure to check us out there, and watch for Maxxis Factory Racing at the Big Mountain Enduro, Life Time Grand Prix, and other North American races!