Sea Otter ’11: Men’s XC

Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Racing) led from the gun. Photo: Caley Fretz

Max Plaxton (Specialized Factory Racing) looked cool and collected on the first lap. Photo: Caley Fretz Photo: Caley Fretz

Ryan Trebon will be racing for Felt on the cyclocross circuit this fall, and apparently the kit hasn't come in yet. Photo: Caley Fretz Photo: Caley Fretz

Tinker Juarez (Cannondale Factory Racing) was battling it out for the win 15 years ago when this year's winner Todd Wells first raced Sea Otter. Photo: Caley Fretz

Yuki Saito (Topeak-Ergon) in the fray. Photo: Caley Fretz

Carl Decker (Giant Off-Road) on the prototype XTC 0 Composite 29er. Photo: Caley Fretz

Cody Kaiser (Cal Giant MTB) Photo: Caley Fretz

Former junior national cross-country champ Skyler Trujillo. Photo: Caley Fretz

A few racers chose to use cyclocross tires due to the numerous long road sections. Photo: Caley Fretz Photo: Caley Fretz

Former collegiate national champ and 2010 La Ruta de los Conquistadores winner Ben Sonntag (Team Jamis). Photo: Caley Fretz

Whole Athlete racer Zach Valdez. Photo: Caley Fretz

Nate Whitman races out of Los Angeles. Photo: Caley Fretz

Max Plaxton rode to second place. Photo: Caley Fretz

Troy Wells finished in 24th on the day. Photo: Caley Fretz

Jeremy Horgan-Kobelski ripping the Sea Otter course, which featured plenty of road, and the famed Laguna Seca corkscrew. Photo: Caley Fretz

Brian Astell races for the Lost Coast Brewery. Photo: Caley Fretz

Two-time collegiate national champion Rotem Ishay (Team Jamis) hits the top of the climb at the 2010 nationals at Northstar-at-Tahoe. Photo: Caley Fretz Photo: Caley Fretz

Jeremiah Bishop (Cannondale Factory Racing) hit the deck near the end of the race, costing him a podium finish. Photo: Caley Fretz

Todd Wells (Specialized Factory Racing) took the men's XC win over teammate Max Plaxton. Photo: Caley Fretz

Todd Wells gives a post race interview. Photo: Caley Fretz