Cloudless skies and warm weather marked the third day of the Sea Otter Classic. Among the first races of the day were the men’s and women’s circuit road races. After the 35+ and 45+ males finished the women took to the course for an aggressive 50 mile race.

The Circuit races at Sea Otter take place on the Laguna Seca race track. This means there is significant elevation gain on each lap followed by a very precipitous drop in elevation at the famous corkscrew turn which tests the athletes ability to reduce wind resistance as they pick up a lot of speed coming down the hill.

After the first lap of the Women’s category 1/2 Circuit, two cyclists broke from the pack and took the lead. By the second lap only one cyclist remained out front, Liza Rachetto. However, Liza soon fell back to the middle of the peleton as the race went on. Joanne Kiesanowski ended up pulling away from the pack in the last couple laps to claim victory.

Written by Bryan Sheasby

Photo by Bryan & Jamie Sheasby