Photos: 2022 El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ bicycle race in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥
The Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022, in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ and surrounding areas.
The 102-mile race went through ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Pima County, Vail, Sahuarita and Green Valley.
Riders pass by Aid Station #3 on Pistol Hill Road on the far eastern leg of El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Sean Christian, of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, raises his arms as he crosses the finish line and wins the men's division of the 102-mile race in the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Anna Hicks, a native of San Luis Obispo on California's central coast, won the women's divisoin of the 102-mile race in the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Race winner Sean Christian of ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, second from left, and lead riders in a tight formation on Nogales Highway near Continental Road during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
A large pack of riders heads down Nogales Highway through the FICO orchards during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
A rider and a group of area neighbors exchange salutes as the main body makes the first few yards of the long climb up Pistol Hill Road from Old Spanish Trail during El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists wait for the start of the 63-mile race along Cushing Street during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A cyclists adorned in holiday cheer makes the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Laura Close, left, and Margaret Falkowski cheer for cyclists and Laura's daughter and friend, who has Type 1 diabetes, riding with a group representing Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Andy Clark of Austin, celebrating his 52nd birthday on race day, grabs some Gatorade at Aid Station #7 on Mission Road while chatting with volunteer Joanie Rogucki during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Cyclists work there way up Mission Road at Twin Buttes Road in Green Valley during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Volunteer Mary Harris rings the cow bell for cyclists along Mission Road west of Green Valley during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Cyclists on Mission Road west of the mines during Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Volunteer Mary Harris holds bicycles from racers stopping to snag food and water at Aid Station #7 on Mission Road during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Lt. Steven Gardner, helping the U.S. Army man Aid Station #3 aids a rider needing air as the rest of the pack top Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The lead pack of riders heads up Old Spanish Trail just before the turn onto Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
A small group of riders make the climb up Pistol Hill Road on the far eastern leg of El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
A large group of riders start winding up Pistol Hill Road as the riders pass through the far eastern leg of El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A young rider and other cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists make the turn onto Aviation Parkway at the start of the 102-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Cyclists start to leave downtown at the start of their 63-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Two fans show their support for riders at the finish line during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A young rider joins other cyclists at the start of the 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A cyclist rides with a stuffed penguin on his helmut at the start of the 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Participants make their way down Cushing Street at the start of the 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
Jesus Villa, right, holds up a sign to cheer on his Nana as she rides her first 32-mile race during the 39th Banner - University Medicine El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz. on November 19, 2022.
A police officer directs cyclists onto Continental Road from Nogales Highway during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
A pack of leaders escorted a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ Police officer on Mission Road during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
Cyclists manage the ups and downs of Mission Road near Twin Buttes Road in Green Valley during the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ amateur bicycle race on Nov. 19, 2022.
The Rincon Mountains rise behind the riders making the long climb up Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
A handful of riders top a rise on Old Spanish Trail, headed for the turn onto Pistol Hill Road on the eastern leg of El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The lead pack makes the high speed turn onto Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The main pack of riders fight their way up the long rise of Pistol Hill Road for El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The bikers competing in El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, cycling is a team sport at South Nogales Highway and Lumber Street 6th Avenue from Irvington to Ajo, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
The bikers competing in El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, cycling is a team sport at South Nogales Highway and Lumber Street 6th Avenue from Irvington to Ajo, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022.
Just after dawn Josh Goldstein sweeps gravel and peoples off the hard right turn from Old Spanish Trail onto Pistol Hill Road for the far east leg of El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, Ariz., November 19, 2022. Goldstein showed up with others from the neighborhood to cheer on the riders, and brought the broom along to make the intersection a little safer.
Mamta Popat
Photojournalist
Kelly Presnell
Photojournalist
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
Sean Christian, a ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥an, finished the 102-mile route with a "gun time" of 3 hours, 49 minutes, 5.9 seconds.
For 40 years, cyclists have flocked to Southern ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ for the El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥. This year, it's been voted the best event of its kind in the nation.
Notes from around Saturday's Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥.