Jelly Belly p/b Kenda executed a terrific team effort at the Sea Otter Classic last weekend, earning multiple podium spots including first place in Stage 2.
Morgan Schmitt, Ricardo Van der Velde, Christiaan Kriek, Sean Mazich, Alex Hagman and Emerson Oronte rode for Jelly Belly p/b Kenda in the four-day race in Monterey, Calif. When they weren’t racing, the riders held an autograph session at the Northwave booth and madeĀ guest appearances at the Focus, 3T and Kenda booths.
In Stage 1, an hour long circuit race, the riders were surprised by the fast start. But they battled hard, and Van der Velde took third place with Kriek right behind in fourth.
The 70-mile road race on Day Two is when the team really excelled. With a breakaway two minutes ahead and just 20 miles to go, all six Jelly Belly p/b Kenda riders went to the front to try to bring it back. The effort paid off, and Hagman took the victory. Schmitt was fourth.
Van der Velde and Schmitt took fifth and sixth, respectively, in the time trial, and on the final day the squad led out Van der Velde to a second place finish. Mazich was fifth on the stage, and Schmitt finished third overall.
“The guys put together a great team effort. I am proud of their results and how they all worked together,” said team director Danny Van Haute.