Philip Tinstman placed first in the 104-mile ride of the 32nd Special Olympics El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino del Sol this morning.

The event - consisting of four different distance events around the city - continues through the afternoon and was expected to have close to 6,700 total riders.

Approximately 3,200 participants were expected in the main ride, which was cut down from 109 miles because of construction in Oro Valley.

Update by Daniel Gaona

Tinstman, a 40-year-old Phoenix native and resident of San Marcos, California, missed out on riding El Tour last year when it was cold and rainy for personal reasons. However, he had ridden the previous three years before that and finished fifth in 2010, his first time at the event.

He pulled away with roughly 20 miles to go and never relinquished the lead.

"It really is amazing, Tinstman said. "This is on my bucket list, I really wanted to get I the podium and to win was a big goal.

"I knew I was holding good form going in so I'm super happy to come away with the win."

Update by Daniel Gaona

Tinstman, riding in the event for the fourth time, finished ahead of Hector Rangel of Hermosillo, Mexico. Rangel's teammate, Juan Magallanes, won the 109-Mike ride last year but was not present at the event this year.

Update by Daniel Gaona

There was an apparent tie between Karla Gendler and Ally Wilson for the women's 104-mile title.

Gendler, a 35-year-old resident of Austin, Texas, said she made a "full-on sprint" toward the finish line but believed Wilson may have just edged her.

"I was getting my (butt) kicked for quite a while but then I finally put it together," said Wilson, a 34-year-old longtime Tucson resident. "Everyone tells you to keep eating and finally I caught my mojo the last five miles."

Update by Daniel Gaona

Matt Sadowsky and two of his friends had just finished, and needed a moment to sit back, and relax, in the sun.

They walked over to the Michelob Ultra tent....and you can guessed what happened next.

They ordered brewskis.

"It's my recovery drink," Sadowsky said, laughing.

Sadowsky was a platinum finisher in the 104-mile race, with a time of four hours and 45 minutes.

Update by Zack Rosenblatt

Jim Holbrook from phoenix, probably the tallest rider at the competition who is 6-foot-7, and wore a bright-green outfit to match his bike, said "there's some people who are my height that bike race but it's hard to find a bike that works. It's not an advantage at all its a huge disadvantage"

Update by Luke Della

Official times for the morning race are pending, as they have yet to be released by El Tour officials. Check tucson.com for full results later today.

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