Sea Otter Classic’s tradition rolls on

Drivers should expect extra traffic on Highway 68 this weekend for Sea Otter Classic. The annual event is the biggest cycling event in the world and it’s all happening right here on the Central Coast.

“The Sea Otter Classic is the largest cycling festival in the world. I believe this year we will have ten-thousand athletes competing, 70-thousand spectators, and hundreds of vendors and exhibitors out in the demo area,” said Sea Otter Classic Public Outreach Coordinator Jeff Lenosky.

It’s one of the only times all year Mazda Raceway will host high performance bikes instead of high performance vehicles.

“Between camping on all the ancillary properties and using the Fort Ord trails for some of the races and then even the whole area down around the racetrack here in the inner circle it’s jam packed with anything cycling,” said Lenosky.

The fans love watching all the events, but one in particular will go down
Saturday night.

“The largest spectator event by far is the duel slalom race,” said Lenosky.

An event that fifth-year professional Cyclist Martin Maes has won the past
two years, coming all the way from Belgium just to defend his title.

“It’s a beautiful event, it’s probably my favorite event of the year cause the racing is always very close and the mass spectators we get along the track, it’s just amazing. It’s a good vibe as well so,” GT Factory Racing Pro Cycler Martin Maes.

From Belgium to right back here in Monterey County where young amateurs
are testing their stamina on the track.

“The last time I did it was a couple years ago and I remember finishing
the race and I didn’t know if I would break first or if my bike would
break first so I made it though and it was all right,” said Palma High Cycling Team Issac Thomas.

“If you don’t have any desire to ride a bike they have ice cream, they
have bounce houses, they have trampolines, they have all kinds of other
stuff for kids to do and have a fun time as well,” said Lenosky.

World class cycling, a huge festival, and of course, the weather this time
of year.

“You get to see the sun. In Belgium, it’s rainy and it’s not so nice. It’s
always cool to travel in America and Monterey is a beautiful place as
well,” said Maes.

The 27th Annual Sea Otter Classic will end on Sunday, but the last of the
pro racing will be Saturday.