Photos: 2021 El Tour de Tucson bicycle race
The Banner University Medicine Rio Nuevo 102-mile El Tour de Tucson bicycle race takes a new route in 2021. Cyclists still start downtown, but head East around Davis-Monthan AFB into Vail, then down to Corona de Tucson, west to Green Valley, then north on Old Nogales Highway to downtown Tucson.
Cyclists ride down E. Escalante Rd. past Davis-Monthan Air Force Base during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
Gerardo Ulloa, cyclist from Jalisco Guadalajara, raises his hands as he crosses the finish line during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021. Ulloa, who rode in El Tour de Tucson for the first time, won first place.
Marlies Mejias, cyclist from Havana, Cuba, smiles while being interviewed during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021. Mejias was the first women to cross the finish line at El Tour de Tucson.
Suzanne Goldstein gives a handful of riders the full cowbell experience as they head up Pistol Hill Rod for the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
A few of the late arrivers make the turn off of Old Spanish Trail onto Pistol Hill Road in the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
The lead peloton clears a rise on Old Spanish Trail shortly after sunrise over the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
El Tour de Tucson rider Manny Romo, left, gets some roadside assistance from Josh Goldstein, who had brought his own tools and air pump along to his chosen observation site at Pistol Hill Road and Old Spanish Trail, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
Bikers pass Brianna Knettle and her bike on Old Spanish Trail in the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021. Knettle was waiting for friend to catch up so the two could take on the climb up Pistol Hill Road together.
The lead rider, well ahead of any competition, makes the turn onto Pistol Hill Road from Old Spanish Trail during the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
Several knots of riders in the leading packs begin the Pistol Hill Road climb on the El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
El Tour de Tucson riders make their way uphill on Old Spanish Trail to the intersection with Pistol Hill Road, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
Jenny Hess cheers on the riders beginning the long climb up Pistol Hill Road near the 26 mile mark of the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021. Hess was among the half dozen or Vail area residents who turned out at the corner of Old Spanish Trail and Pistol Hill Road to give the riders a little boost.
The lead peloton heads east on Old Spanish Trail just before the turn south onto Pistol Hill Road in the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
Along line of bikers push their way up the first leg of Pistol Hill Road just south of Old Spanish Trail, heading into the second highest point on the route of the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
With the Rincon Mountains in the background, riders head into the climb up Pistol Hill Road just south of Old Spanish Trail in the early going of the 38th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 20, 2021.
Cyclist in the 102-mile El Tour de Tucson Platinum and Elite group ride down E. Aviation Rd. during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
A cyclists, left, tells another cyclists "we are putting in work" while riding down E. Escalante Rd. during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
A member of the El Tour de Tucson Bike Patrol helps a cyclist with their bike tire during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
A group of cyclists ride along E. Escalante Rd. during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
A cyclist ride past Davis-Monthan Air Force Base along E. Escalante Rd. during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
Tucson local and first time rider in The El Tour de Tucson, Mark McMahon wears two bananas on his helmet while checking his phone during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
A cyclist wears a face covering while riding down S. Kolb Rd. during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
Cyclists ride down S. Kolb Rd. during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
Cyclists ride down S. Kolb Rd. past Davis-Monthan Air Force Base's airplane boneyard during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
A member of the El Tour de Tucson Bike Patrol takes documents cyclists as they ride down E. Escalante Rd. during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
Cyclists begin Casino del Sol's 57-mile ride during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
Alex Neuwirt, top left, helps out friend and fellow cyclist Todd Key after finishing the 102-mile ride in the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
The reflection of cyclists waiting for their ride to start are shown through a cyclists sunglasses while waiting for the Casino del Sol 57-mile ride to begin during the 2021 El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on Nov. 20th, 2021.
Cyclists cheering on another group as they pass the 8th aid station at the 60 mile mark for El Tour de Tucson bicycle race at Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Cyclist 1055 riding through Old Nogales Hwy as part of El Tour de Tucson bicycle race at Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Cyclists making a sharp turn on Mission Rd as part of El Tour de Tucson bicycle race at Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Cyclist 1044 riding through Continental Rd as part of El Tour de Tucson bicycle race at Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Cyclists passing through Helmet Peak as part of El Tour de Tucson bicycle race at Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Rider 205 leading group past the turn on Mission Rd heading toward Helmet Peak Rd during El Tour de Tucson bicycle race at Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Cyclists riding along Helmet Peak Rd during El Tour de Tucson bicycle race passing Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Cyclists riding along Mission Rd passing Duval Mine Rd during El Tour de Tucson bicycle race passing Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Cyclist 2006 riding through Helmet Peak as part of El Tour de Tucson bicycle race at Sahuraita, AZ on Nov. 20, 2021.
Rebecca Sasnett
Photojournalist
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
The men's finish was so close — four-tenths of a second separated first and second place — that it took more than 30 minutes to determine the winner.
Saturday's 102-mile winner was decided by four-tenths of a second.
The 38th annual El Tour de Tucson had nearly 6,500 participants, with two international cyclists winning top spots.
Amanda Carter rode Saturday in honor of her mother, Danell, who died five years ago of ovarian cancer.
Saturday's El Tour de Tucson brought more than 6,000 riders to Tucson. The day had everything riders love: Warm weather, beautiful views and e…