Organizer optimistic that El Tour will have sunny start

This time of year, Richard DeBernardis transforms into an amateur meteorologist.

The founder and president of Tucson Medical Center El Tour de Tucson presented by Casino Del Sol Resort is downright fanatical about it.

“I start looking at weather six months out from El Tour. Did you know they have a six-month projection?” he said. “I know there’s a chance of some rain coming in this weekend or Monday. Weather-wise, if it can hold, we’ll have a great tour.”

See, DeBernardis is an amateur accountant, too. He knows that a sunny forecast Saturday can add between 1,000 and 1,500 extra riders to Southern Arizona’s largest — and longest-running — participatory sporting event. Close to 6,000 riders have already registered for the event, DeBernardis said. The event needs about 7,000 registrations to break even financially.

That might sound bleak, but — compared to past years — El Tour appears to be in good shape. Tucson Medical Center has taken over as the event’s title sponsor after one year of Special Olympics. Local businesses have combined to donate $640,000 in sponsorship money, about $50,000 more than a year ago. Event organizers have secured nearly 400 police officers from six different agencies to direct traffic. And officials are more prepared than ever if it rains, like it did in 2013: Alternate routes are already in place to keep riders safe.

Routes will be shorter to begin with, DeBernardis said.

El Tour veterans still use shorthand when referring to the ride’s distances — you’ll hear the “110-mile” referred to constantly — but this year’s event will be different.

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The longest race is 104 miles, followed by 75-mile, 55-mile and 40-mile events. There are also three “fun rides” of 11, 5 and a quarter mile. Organizers shortened the distances in order to enact a “hard out” of 5 p.m., earlier than in past years. The early finish — and shorter distances — will allow riders to finish by sunset, a safety plus.

The race will otherwise continue as it has for three decades. Gabrielle Giffords and her husband, Mark Kelly, will be honored at this week’s dedication dinner; the two have been training and could, DeBernardis said, participate in any of a handful of rides Saturday morning.

Giffords said last year that she hopes to eventually take part in the 40-mile ride.

Cycling legend Greg LeMond will participate events this week, as will a handful of yet-to-be-announced celebrities from in and out of the cycling world.

All DeBernardis needs is the sun to shine.

“People want to come to Tucson because of our weather,” DeBernardis said.