He lined up for a 2-day race, the Sea Otter Classic, and won the first stage. 60 runners were on the starting line. A demanding race of 64 km which caused many abandonments: 1100m of elevation gain with an arrival at the end of a 3km ascent.
“The departure took place at 7:30 am. It was a bit chilly so it was a bit difficult at first, says Kahiri. I may have been a little cold and no longer used to coolness. And finally, people responded well. In the first ascent we breakaway with another guy. Then we get picked up by the peloton a few kilometers further on and then, maybe on the second climb of the course, we attack again with the same guy and another participant and the peloton will never see us again. We take up to 2mn30 on the peloton. (…) I managed my effort, I stayed in the wheel of the guy who was making a big tempo, and about 1km from the finish, he attacks and I counter him right away and I come to finish the race on my own with a few meters ahead so super happy.”
Kahiri is already hoping to return next year.
Race standings:
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