The commerce present is simply a chunk of the occasions on the Sea Otter Basic; racing remains to be part of the competition. This 12 months the Fuego XL cross-country race commanded probably the most consideration.
The beginning listing was jam-packed with potential favorites from all disciplines of biking. Former quick monitor world champion Chris Blevens made the journey, similar with present cyclocross nationwide champ Curtis White, and naturally, so did former Fuego XL winner — Keegan Swenson.
The course for the Fuego XL is technically a mountain bike race however has many street climbs and gravel sections. The Fuego XL course is 60 miles with over 8,000 ft of climbing—the hard-packed uber dry course, combined with many street miles, made for thrilling bike setups.
As a former winner, Swenson is aware of what a motorcycle must carry out within the dusty Monterey situations.
The Race — Sea Otter Basic Fuego XL
From the gun, the race was full gasoline; Chris Blevens was contemporary off the win on the Cape Epic and had the legs to roll all day. When the entrance group entered the only monitor, Blevens once more pushed with tempo, ultimately forming a seven-rider group off the entrance.
After the primary lap, Blevins, Swenson, Finsterwald, Alex Wild, Howard Grotts, Andrew L’Esperance, and Cole Paton crossed the road working properly collectively. After the laps ticked away and the tempo stayed excessive — the group started to splinter.
Later within the race, the group was all the way down to 4 riders; Swenson, Blevins, Finsterwald, and Paton. As the ultimate miles handed, Bleven attacked relentlessly, with the group responding and following. The ultimate climb is the place the 4 riders grew to become two, as Swenson and Finsterwald battled over the climb to the end.
After 60 miles, buying and selling blow for blow, the end got here all the way down to a dash, and Swenson had simply sufficient left within the tank to edge out Finsterwald on the line.
Keegan Swenson’s Fuego XL successful Santa Cruz Blur
The demanding course and not-so-normal cross-country situations of the Fuego XL made for some thrilling bike setups. Swenson rode his Santa Cruz Blur full suspension setup, although many riders selected hardtails.
Swenson’s setup was one of the vital dialed of the weekend; he had simply sufficient grip with the Maxxis Arden Brief Monitor tires and a variety of gearing with the brand new SRAM Eagle Transmission.
The bars and tape setup permit Swenson to “relaxation” barely whereas hammering on the only monitor, liberating up some area within the decrease again and taking over minimal bar actual property.
Rock Shox Prototype SID Fork and Shock
Swenson’s Blur had some trick gear, however these prototype stickers actually caught our eyes. The brand new SID or SID SL fork and shock seem to have modified little or no from the present model.
A brand new RockShox twist-lock is coming to market quickly, with a slimmer profile and barely longer grip motion.
Swenson wouldn’t tell us greater than the fundamentals in regards to the new suspension, but it surely clearly performs properly.
Professional Bike Verify: Keegan Swenson’s Santa Cruz Blur
- Body: Santa Cruz Blur
- Fork: Rock Shox SID prototype 120mm
- Shock: Rock Shox SID prototype
- Lockout lever: RockShox TwistLock Prototype
- Brakes: SRAM Stage ULT
- Groupset: SRAM Eagle XX Transmission
- Wheels: Reserve 30 SL
- Saddle: Prologo Dimension NDR
- Stem: Zipp
- Seatpost: Suntace
- Bars: Suntace
- Pedals: XTR
- Tires: Maxxis Aspen ST
For extra details about Keegan Swenson and his race schedule, take a look at: Santacruzbicycles.com
