For 2023, Kona Adventure Riders Kerry Werner and Rebecca Fahringer were both invited to take part in the second season of the Life Time Grand Prix. The Life Time Grand Prix pits 35 women and 35 men against each other in a seven-race series of Gravel and XC events for a share of  $250,000 in prize money. The Sea Otter Fuego XL, a brutal 68-mile race course around the Fort Ord National Monument, kicked off the series on Saturday in the searing California heat. Neither Kerry nor Becca got the greatest start and both riders set about playing catch-up right out of the gate. For Kerry, that meant that he’d eventually finish the day in 13th overall, sliding into 10th in the overall GP standings. The heat and course weren’t so kind to Becca, who’d just finished on the podium one week earlier at the BWR in San Diego. After her performance in the Fuego XL, Becca sits in 26th place in the GP standings.

“I was really looking forward to the kick-off to the Lifte Time Grand Prix series. To have it at Sea Otter was cool, there is so much bike industry hype. So many people I haven’t seen in a while since I haven’t been raced XC in a while. All in all, I was happy with how the weekend went down. I worked the Expo Thursday & Friday and did my best to keep my legs fresh. Pulling off 13th overall and 10th in the series was an awesome stepping stone into the rest of the season. I still have some work to do but there is plenty of time to work it out. The final lifetime race is the end of October, there is still a ways to go! “ – Kerry Werner

“I think the Sea Otter Classic XC Race will just never be my race. Who the HECK designed this course, knowing it was APRIL!?!? Too much climbing. Too much time on the mountain bike. Too much sun. Too early. I started the Fuelgo XL well. I wasn’t IN IT but I was doing what I knew I could do, and my body was delivering (better than last year!) But I thought others would fade, and I could pick ’em off. But… it seems… I was the one who faded.

Good things: Strong start, aggressive moves, sound race plan, great planning, no mechanicals, had a tiny battle I didn’t give up on
Not great things: Fatigued from BWR, not enough fitness for this race let alone back-to-back races, no climbing legs, a bit heavy, mentally gave up for most of lap two

Despite a less-than-stellar performance, I know I can build fitness. And even despite that, I had a blast!! Great to see so many people, hang with friends, and enjoy the nice weather. Results are maybe no longer why I race. I’ll keep striving, but maybe I’ll stop for a doggy pet along the way.” – Rebecca Fahringer