At 65 years old, Tinker Juarez nearly beat an entire field of riders half his age on Saturday in Southern California. The two-time U.S. Olympic mountain biker finished second overall in the Dirty Bear 50-mile gravel race, crossing the line just 4 seconds behind 39 year-old winner Santino Marini — a result that turned the Tour de Big Bear into a reminder of just how enduring true talent can be.
Juarez, of Whittier, built his career across three decades and two disciplines. A three-time U.S. national champion, Pan American Games gold medalist and World Championships silver medalist, he represented the United States at the sport’s first two Olympic mountain bike competitions, in Atlanta in 1996 and Sydney in 2000.
Inducted into the Mountain Bike Hall of Fame in 2001, Juarez shifted to ultra-endurance and marathon racing after his cross-country career wound down and has continued reaching the podium against professionals decades his junior. Saturday’s near-win at Big Bear, more than 30 years after his first Olympic appearance, is the latest evidence that he has lost none of his edge.
Marini held on for the win in 02:59:40, with Ricky Piceno completing the podium 7 minutes 43 seconds behind. Sarah Hill won the women’s gravel race in 03:47:52, ahead of Mia Gallagher and Piper Lowinger.
Elsewhere on the mountain, riders tackled three additional road gran fondo distances at an elevation of 7,000 feet. In the 100-mile Climb, 18-year-old Thomas Sullivan claimed the men’s title in 04:25:23, edging Jonas Woodruff by a single second. Kasey Edwards won the women’s race in 04:25:46.
The 70-mile Grand Tour went to Tanc Sade in 03:22:12. The Los Angeles rider is a former elite Australian mountain biker turned television and film actor who returned to competitive cycling during the pandemic, and this was another Big Bear podium after previous strong performances. Bethany Allen won the women’s Grand Tour race in 03:37:20.
Photo Credit: Tinker Juarez
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