How to watch the Sea Otter Classic gravel race: stream the Life Time Grand Prix opener free on YouTube

The Sea Otter Classic gravel race, part of the Life Time Grand Prix series, will be broadcast live and free on YouTube on Thursday 16 April. The event, held in Monterey, California, marks the opening round of a six-race series and will feature elite men’s and women’s races starting at 10am and 10:30am PDT respectively. Fans can tune in from 09:45 PDT (17:45 BST) on the Life Time Grand Prix’s YouTube channel to watch top riders such as Keegan Swenson, Alexey Vermeulen, Lauren De Crescenzo, and Tiffany Cromwell compete over a challenging 30-mile course. The Sea Otter Classic is part of a broader cycling festival hosted at Laguna Seca Raceway, which runs from Thursday to Sunday and includes mountain bike and criterium races, a Gran Fondo ride, and a new trail run event. The gravel race itself consists of three laps, each featuring approximately 2,600 feet of climbing, with a mix of paved and lumpy terrain culminating in a tough uphill finish back to the Raceway. The festival also offers a vibrant atmosphere with industry exhibitors, an international food court, and opportunities to meet professional athletes. This year’s Sea Otter Classic carries added significance as it offers over 50 qualifying spots for the prestigious Unbound Gravel race later in May. Half of these places will be awarded to top finishers in each category, while the remainder will be allocated through a random draw among entrants. Age-group category races on the following day, 17 April, also provide qualification opportunities, although only those competing in the three-lap race are eligible. Veteran gravel racer Ted King, the oldest competitor in this year’s event, shared insights into his gravel career in an interview with Cycling Weekly. King’s participation highlights the growing appeal of gravel racing across a wide age range and the increasing professionalism within the discipline. The Life Time Grand Prix series, which also includes live broadcasts of Unbound, Leadville 100, and Big Sugar Gravel, continues to elevate the profile of gravel racing in the United States and beyond.