Noah Anastassatos and Marj Rinaldo won the men’s and women’s portions of the Banner-University Medicine 40th El Tour de Tucson, held Saturday morning in Tucson, Sahuarita and other communities.
Anastassatos, 26, of Scottsdale, finished the 102-mile route with an unofficial time of 3 hours, 41 minutes, 27.5 seconds. Tucson’s Sean Christian, who won the race in 2022, was one second behind Anastassatos.
His second El Tour, Anastassatos placed No. 49 in last year’s race with a gun time of 3:54:20.3, a near 13-minute difference.
Anastassatos, who is not part of a team, said that he “took off a little early” last year but decided on waiting back a little bit from the start, in an ultimately successful attempt to attack when roads were clearer.
A patient approach proved to make all the difference this Saturday.
Marj Rinaldo, from Tucson, is the first-place finisher for women in the 102-mile Banner-University Medicine 40th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
“Last year I went two miles too early from the group and got like fiftieth place, I got caught with like half a mile to go last year so this year was like ‘okay just wait, wait,’” he said. “I wanted to go on 22nd Street but it was so chaotic I just waited until the roads opened up and luckily (they weren’t) fast enough to catch me I guess.”
This was Anastassatos’ first race since last year’s El Tour.
“I don’t really do much racing because of the risk factor,” he said. “But this is one of the safer ones honestly, so that’s why I came back. It’s safe and it’s fast.
“Obviously, all the training pays off. Family, friends who let you train, I realize it’s somewhat setting in and its crazy.”
His mother and girlfriend were in attendance Saturday, and both sprinted to him in jubilation after he passed the finish line.
Rain and clouds sock in the Santa Catalina Mountains behind the riders making their way up Pistol Hill Road during the 40th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
“Oh, my gosh. Well, he said he wanted to win so we just had supported him the whole time with whatever he needed,” said his girlfriend, Melissa Trapp. “We actually tried to do a water hand off and he missed both our water bottles, so we were a little worried about how that’s going to go (but) it turned out okay.”
Rinaldo, 32, of Tucson, finished “The Century” race with an unofficial time of 3 hours, 50 minutes, 12 seconds. Salt Lake City’s Melisa Rollins came in second at 3:50:13, and Amanda Macuiba came in third with a time of 4:00:10.
Rinaldo, who’s lived in Tucson for 3½ years, said Saturday that it was her second time competing in El Tour.
“(My performance) was pretty good, I’m feeling pretty strong... It was just nice being able to roll out of my house and come straight to the race,” she said. “I live here, and I love to support local racing. It’s a big deal (in Tucson) so I try to show up.”
Rinaldo, who placed ninth in last year’s race with a time of 4:03:47.8, knew the final sprint is what counts the most.
The lead pack makes the turn on the Pistol Hill Road leg of the 40th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
“Last year I didn’t really know what to expect. This year I knew coming into the last corner I need to be top-3 to-4 wheels because last year I wasn’t and missed the sprint,” Rinaldo said. Next up for her and her team she said, is an incredibly busy spring. “We’ll be all over the place.”
How will the winners of El Tour 40th be celebrating their achievements?
“We have our four-year anniversary dinner tonight... so we’re going to go have a good dinner,” Anastassatos said.
Added Rinaldo: “I’m going to have a pizza, go to bed early (and) sleep in tomorrow.”
Over 9,000 riders took part in the 40th anniversary of El Tour this year, about 1,500 more than the 2022 version. Of those roughly 9,000, 43% can proudly say this was their first time signing up for any one of the five races offered.
Riders competed in three distances and two “fun rides.” The 102-mile ride — organizers call it “The Century” — is the most popular of the routes. Then there are the 63-mile “Metric Century” ride as well as the 32-mile “Metric Half-Century” ride.
The two “Fun Rides” are some of the unique events during El Tour day. Many fun-riders are kids; they can choose between distances of 1 or 3 miles.
Photos: 2023 El Tour de Tucson bicycle race in Tucson
Noah Anastassatos, from Scottsdale, raises his arms as he crosses the finish line and wins the 102-mile Banner-University Medicine 40th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
Marj Rinaldo, from Tucson, is the first-place finisher for women in the 102-mile Banner-University Medicine 40th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
The lead pack heads east on Old Spanish Trail, just before the turn for the climb up Pistol Hill Road on the eastern leg of the 40th anniversary of El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
Four riders pass the Sahuarita sign designed by the students of Sahuarita United School District as the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson field passes through East Sahuarita Road on Saturday.
The lead pack makes the turn on the Pistol Hill Road leg of the 40th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
Cyclists make their way down Cushing Street at the start of the 32-mile route during the Banner-University Medicine 40th El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 18, 2023.
A large group of riders zoom down South Nogales Highway, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
Riders pass the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, South Kolb Road, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
The platinum racers begin to fill up the starting line before the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, West Cushing Street, November 18, 2023.
Cyclists wait for the start of the 32-mile route along Cushing Street during the Banner-University Medicine 40th El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 18, 2023.
Spectators cheer on riders biking down South Nogales Highway, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Dan Leano, left, and Jeff Bruce work to fix the chain on Leano’s bike at aid station 1 during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, East Escalante Road, November 18, 2023.
Riders make their way up the long slope of Pistol Hill Road as the clouds begin to break up over the 40th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
A single rider passes the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, South Kolb Road, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
A large group of riders turn the corner onto South Wilmot Road during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
A group of off-road bikers stop for a few minutes to offer encouragement to the riders fighting their way up the slope on the Pistol Hill Road leg of the 40th anniversary of El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
Riders take to the right lane of the road during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, East Golf Links Road, November 18, 2023.
The pack leaders turn the corner onto South Wilmot Road during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
A large group of riders turn onto South Wilmot Road during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
A solo rider bikes down South Nogales Highway, as a large group leads the way during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
A group of riders near the lead make their way up Pistol Hill Road, one of the longest climbs on the route of the 40th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Rider Yasmeen Roumie enjoys some orange slices provided at aid station 1 during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, East Escalante Road, November 18, 2023.
A rider takes a sip of water as others follow behind him during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, East Sahuarita Rd., November 18, 2023.
A sign just before Aid Station #3 tries to inject a little humor on the long slog on the Pistol Hill Road leg of the 40th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
A large group of riders approach the turn onto South Wilmot Road during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
Two men talk as they warm up for the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, West Cushing Street, November 18, 2023.
Maya Conaway, left, and her sister Kaelyn Conaway cheer on their dad Jeff Conaway as he rides down East Sahuarita Rd., during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
A large group of riders ride down South Nogales Highway, as cars follow behind them during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
Richard Stevens passes out water he and his wife Cathi brought out on their own to the riders near the top of the Pistol Hill Road leg of the 40th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Riders walk their bikes to the starting position for the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, West Cushing Street, November 18, 2023.
A pack of riders in the 102-mile race sprint down Cushing Street towards the finish line during the Banner-University Medicine 40th El Tour de Tucson in Tucson, Ariz. on November 18, 2023.
A group of riders race past the Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, South Kolb Road, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
Twila Leadon, volunteer at station 1 pours dill juice into tiny cups to help riders prevent cramps during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, East Escalante Road, November 18, 2023.
A large line of riders go down S. Desert Gem Lane, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
Riders and cars share the road as the train goes by on South Nogales Highway, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
A rider makes some last minute adjustments to his bike before the start of the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, West Cushing Street, November 18, 2023.
A large group of riders zoom down South Nogales Highway, during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, November 18, 2023.
An early riser, out on the course more than a half hour before any riders, waits near the summit of Pistol Hill Road on 40th El Tour de Tucson, Tucson, Ariz., November 18, 2023.
Riders take to the left lane during the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson, East Sahuarita Rd., November 18, 2023.
Rain and clouds sock in the Santa Catalina Mountains behind the riders making their way up Pistol Hill Road during the 40th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday.
Arlo Costales wraps speaker wires with 5th avenue event production services in preparation of El Tour de Tucson, W. Cushing St., Tucson, Ariz., November 17, 2023.
Curtis Wilkerson with 5th avenue event production services covers the speakers for El Tour de Tucson, W. Cushing St., Tucson, Ariz., November 17, 2023.
Banners lay along the road, W. Cushing St., the day before El Tour de Tucson, November 17, 2023.
Watch: El Tour de Tucson's inaugural race was held in 1983 and over the past 40 years, the event has provided pro riders and novices alike the chance to take to the streets.
The 40th annual El Tour de Tucson will be held Nov. 18, 2023.
