Schurter wins Sea Otter cross country title

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Nino Schurter of Switzerland, the three-time cross country world titlist, claimed his fourth straight race Saturday, winning a three-rider sprint to claim the 34-mile men's pro cross country title at the Sea Otter Classic.

Schurter, 28, the Scott-Odlo rider who also won Friday's short track, completed the two-lap route that began and finished on the asphalt at Laguna Seca Raceway in just under two hours.

Howard Grotts (Specialized) of Durango, Colo., was second. Daniel McConnell (Trek) of Australia was third for the second straight day as warm temperatures and blue skies were prevalent for the third day of the four-day event 25th edition. The runner-up and third-place finishers were given the same time.

"I had a little gap and I tried get away on the final hit, but they were both very strong so it came down to a sprint," said Schurter, who last raced at the event a decade ago as under-23 competitor. "It's great to see sprint finishes in mountain bike races."

Following its 11 a.m. start, the large men's field quickly evaporated into a pack of more than 20 riders. The lead group completed the first loop in 1 hour and 1 minute and the leaders stayed intact until Schurter, the two-time Olympic medallist, made his move.

One expected contender wasn't in the mix. Former two-time World Cup winner Christoph Sauser, who claimed the Sea Otter Classic cross country title last year and in 2009, had an early first-lap mechanical and withdrew. That changed the strategy for the Specialized team.

"Christoph won here last year so were here to ride for him," said Grotts, the former collegiate national road titlist. "Unfortunately, he had a mechanical so we had to improvize."

With Schurter's sprinting skills well-known, Grotts wasn't confident when the trio came onto the track together and then came off the final turn for the culminating final sprint. "I didn't think I had a chance," said Grotts. "But I was happy to get second."

With the lead group trio battling for on final winding downhill, the second lap time was more than a minute faster than the opening lap.

Sam Gaze (Specialized) of New Zealand finished fourth, two seconds behind the top three. Canadian Raphael Gagné (Rocky Mountain) wad fifth, trailing by 1:29. Simon Andreasseen (Specialized) of Denmark was sixth, trailing the winner by 1:34.

Geoff Kabush (Scott-3Rox Racing), who has won the Sea Otter Classic cross country title three times, dating to 2005, finished 11th, trailing by 1:50. Andri Frischknecht (Scott-Odlo) of Switzerland, the son of retired multiple world titlist Thomas Frischknecht, was 12th, trailing by 2;04.

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