Sean Christian and Anna Hicks are the men’s and women’s winners of El Tour de Tucson, held Saturday morning in Tucson, Sahuarita and other communities.
Both riders finished the 102-mile route in less than four hours. Official times are still being calculated.
The El Tour win caps a successful year for Christian, 20. He finished 28th in the United States national championship of road racing; he was fourth among cyclists age 23 and under.
Hicks finished third at the Bariani Road Race in March.
Between 7,500 and 8,000 riders, including at least one from every state, were expected to take part in El Tour.
Riders competed in three distances and three “fun rides.” The 102-mile ride — organizers call it “The Century” — is the most popular of the routes. Nearly 40% of all riders had signed up for the longest distance. Nearly as many — 34% — had signed up for the 63-mile “Metric Century” ride, and 19% had signed up for the 32-mile “Metric Half-Century” ride. About 7% of the signups are for the “Fun Ride,” one of the unique events during El Tour day. Many fun-riders are kids; they can choose between distances of 10 miles, 5 miles or 1 mile.
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Watch now: Tucson kicked off the Banner-University Medicine 39th El Tour de Tucson with the start of the 102-mile race downtown on Saturday, Nov. 19. This year’s event, which is the region’s largest cycling event, features more than 7,600 participants, including riders from all 50 states and 10 countries. Video by Pascal Albright /Arizona Daily Star
El Tour de Tucson through the years
37th El Tour de Tucson
A cyclist rides through Sabino Creek during El Tour de Tucson. Organizers say 2,380 riders took part in the 100-mile distance on Nov. 23.
2018 El Tour de Tucson
A pack of riders navigate the new route on Colossal Cave Road at the Pantano Wash during the 36th El Tour de Tucson perimeter bicycling race, Nov. 17, 2018, in Tucson, Ariz.
35th El Tour de Tucson
The leaders pass the aircraft boneyard during the 35th El Tour de Tucson bicycle race on Nov. 18, 2017.
2016 El Tour de Tucson
Adam Rogers of Mesa pauses to kiss his wife, Amy, whom he spied in the crowd at East Broadway and Freeman Road, on the far east side.
El Tour de Tucson
Former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords makes her way out of the starting line in the 40-mile ride during the 33rd El Tour de Tucson bicycle race in Tucson, Ariz., on Nov. 21, 2015. Mamta Popat / Arizona Daily Star
2014 El Tour de Tucson
Julio Garcia, 41, of Sinaloa, Mexico, collapses on a downtown sidewalk, finally getting a chance to rest his legs after finishing the 104-mile event at El Tour.
El Tour de Tucson
Riders make their way along westbound Ina Rd approaching the intersection at Oracle Rd and Ina Rd, with the Santa Catalinas shrouded in clouds during El Tour de Tucson bicycle race in Tucson, AZ. Photo taken Saturday, November 23, 2013. Photo by Ron Medvescek / Arizona Daily Star.
2012 El Tour de Tucson
Stephen Stratton, center, gets a welcome back hug from daughter Keira after The University of Arizona Medical Center 30th El Tour de Tucson bicycle race Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012. Teammate Aaron Einfrank is at left, and Damon Stratton is at right.
29th El Tour de Tucson
Cyclists southbound on Silverbell Road crossing Ina Road during
the 29th El Tour de Tucson on Saturday, Nov. 19, 2011.
28th El Tour de Tucson
The lead rider and pack turn northbound on Oracle Road from Ina Road during the 28th El Tour de Tucson in Tucson on Saturday, Nov. 20, 2010. Photo by Rick Wiley, Arizona Daily Star NO MAGS, NO SALES
Contact sports reporter PJ Brown at pjbrown@tucson.com. On Twitter: @PJBrown09
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