'For the love of it' – Kate Courtney races Fuego XL at Sea Otter and blows away competition, while Hannah Otto reveals new FKT atop Hawaii's Mauna Kea – Gravel Bits

Kate Courtney, the reigning UCI Marathon MTB world champion, delivered a commanding performance at the Fuego XL mountain bike race during the Sea Otter Classic in Monterey, California. Riding for She Sends Racing, Courtney won the 70-mile event by a margin of over 18 minutes, finishing well ahead of Emma Langley from Ventum-DT Swiss. This victory came just two days after both riders competed in the grueling 90-mile Sea Otter Classic gravel race, where Courtney placed fifth overall. Reflecting on her journey, Courtney expressed deep appreciation for returning to race in the community that launched her career, highlighting the significance of competing in the rainbow jersey once again. In the men’s elite race, Andrew L’Esperance of 3T Bike-Maxxis-Pearl Izumi narrowly defeated Cameron Jones in a sprint finish to claim victory. Both riders, alongside Langley, are regular contenders in the Life Time Grand Prix series, which previously included the Fuego XL as a key event until the series introduced a new gravel race in 2025. Despite its replacement in the Grand Prix calendar, Fuego XL remains a popular and challenging fixture at the Sea Otter Classic festival, known for its predominantly single-track course that tests riders’ technical skills and endurance. Meanwhile, US off-road racer Hannah Otto set a new Fastest Known Time (FKT) on the formidable Mauna Kea climb in Hawaii last October, a feat she recently confirmed with the release of a documentary film. Otto completed the 55-mile sea-to-summit route in 5 hours, 43 minutes, and 50 seconds, shaving nearly 30 minutes off the previous record. The climb is notorious for its relentless elevation gain of 13,700 feet and the thinning air near the summit, where the paved road gives way to gravel. Otto described the effort as mentally and physically demanding, emphasising the pride she felt in persevering through difficult conditions, including a strong headwind in the final miles. Paige Onweller also made headlines at the Sea Otter Classic Gravel race after overcoming a severe allergic reaction to an insect sting just days before the event. Despite being hospitalised and not fully recovered, Onweller completed the race, finishing 14th in the elite women’s field. Her coach, Dennis Van Winden, revealed that she experienced an anaphylactic reaction and was treated in hospital, yet chose to race due to the unique format of the Life Time Grand Prix events, which allow riders to withdraw if necessary. Onweller described the race as one of the most challenging experiences of her career, demonstrating remarkable resilience and determination in the face of adversity.