Regarded as the “#1 Best Bike Ride in the USA,” El Tour de Tucson gran fondo took place 18 November with 10,000 participants from all 50 states making an end-of-season pilgrimage to Tucson, Arizona to race on 102, 62 and 32 mile long routes through the Sonoran desert.

After finishing 40th last year, former NCAA college hockey star Noah Anastassatos pulled off a HUGE upset, outsprinting a 50 strong pro peloton to win the 102 mile long gran fondo race in 3:41:27, with a zippy average speed of 27.5 mph. The 26 year-old powerhouse sat up and raised his arms in a victory salute as he beat last year’s champion Sean Christian and pro Tyler Stites to the finish line. One of the best up-and-coming junior riders in the country, 15 year-old Brady Hogue, finished 10th and Tour de France veteran George Hincapie was 17th.

Marjorie Rinaldo, 32, of Tucson won the women’s 102-mile race in 3:50:12, followed by Melissa Rollins and Sinead Miller.

George Schatz, 34, claimed the 62 mile medio fondo title in 2:27:15, with Sara Ritchie, 34, claiming the women’s in 2:27:25.

Photo Credit: AZDailyStar

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