We are excited to see you at the 37th edition of the Tucson Bicycle Classic. A new Time Trial course, a Criterium for select fields, a revised Circuit Race Course, and the same beautiful Road Race course makes for a great three days of racing.
The 2024 Tucson Bicycle Classic far exceeded our expectations both in terms of attendance (601 riders from 9 countries and 34 US states), and atmosphere! We hope you had fun, made some great memories, and that you will join us again for the 37th annual Tucson Bicycle Classic in 2025!
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Thank you to everyone who raced with us in 2025! Your energy, dedication, and passion made this event truly unforgettable. We’re incredibly grateful for your support and can’t wait to share more thrilling moments with you. See you in 2026 for another legendary race!
What an exhilarating start to the Tucson Bicycle Classic! Yesterday’s events showcased incredible athleticism, community support, and the vibrant spirit of our cycling community.
Marana Time Trial Prologue
Our day began with the Marana Time Trial Prologue, generously supported by Discover Marana. Riders embarked from Heritage Park on a point-to-point time trial along the renowned Chuck Huckleberry Loop. This year’s course was made possible by the new extension to the Loop, a collaborative effort with the Town of Marana and CalPortland. The park’s scenic beauty and rider-friendly layout received enthusiastic praise from participants.
The course featured a smooth S-turn through the park, leading into a flat section of the Loop. However, the notorious Santa Cruz winds added an extra layer of challenge, reminding us of the unique conditions that make this area special.
In the Men’s Pro/1/2 category, Elouan Gardot of Fount Racing claimed the leader’s jersey, edging out Project Echelon’s Jonas Walton by a mere five seconds. The Women’s Pro/1/2 category saw a dominant performance by Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY28, with Anna Hicks securing the leader’s jersey after a full podium sweep.
Rio Nuevo Criterium presented by Visit Tucson
As the sun set, we transitioned to downtown Tucson for the Rio Nuevo Criterium, presented by Visit Tucson. The evening was electric, with four categories racing under the lights on a technical course featuring a 180-degree turn and an uphill sprint to the finish. This inaugural event drew residents and spectators downtown, creating an exhilarating atmosphere that highlighted the essence of criterium racing.
The DoubleTree by Hilton offered a perfect vantage point, hosting spectators on their patio with burgers and beers, enhancing the communal experience. We were thrilled to have renowned announcers Brad Sohner and James Grady, whose energetic commentary amplified the crowd’s excitement.
Prime laps added an extra layer of intensity to the crit races. These intermediate sprints offered riders the chance to win cash prizes and showcased strategic prowess, thrilling both participants and spectators.
In the Women’s race, Team TWENTY28 demonstrated tactical excellence, controlling the race from the outset. Their strength made it challenging for other teams to break through, culminating in another podium sweep with Marlies Mejias-Garcia taking first place. Anna Hicks retained the leaders jersey heading into Day 2.
The Men’s race was a fierce contest, with Above and Beyond Cancer and Team California exchanging attacks and securing primes throughout. The initial field of nearly 120 riders was quickly reduced by half. Despite multiple solo breakaway attempts, the race concluded with Nathan Cusack of Kelly Benefits Cycling Team taking the win. This result propelled Jonas Walton of Project Echelon into the General Classification lead as we move into Day 2.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all riders, supporters, sponsors, and the communities of Marana and Rio Nuevo District for making this day unforgettable. Your enthusiasm and support are the backbone of the Tucson Bicycle Classic.
The competition intensified as we moved to Sahuarita for the Road Race, featuring a 20.3-mile loop in reverse on the renowned Shootout Route—a nationally recognized group ride. The course, while not heavily mountainous, presented riders with short climbs and rolling terrain, made more challenging by the midday winds.
In the Women's Pro/1/2 field, Team TWENTY28 maintained a steady pace, effectively controlling the peloton to protect their General Classification (GC) leader, Anna Hicks. Their strategy was impeccable, securing time bonus sprints and dominating the race. After completing four laps, Rylee McMullen sprinted to victory, leading a 1-2-3 finish for TWENTY28, with Sofia Arreola (a Tucson local) in second and Marlies Mejías-García in third. Teammate Ella Sabo secured fourth place, solidifying the team's stronghold on the GC.
The Men's Pro/1/2 race saw Jonas Walton of Project Echelon holding a narrow lead. The race was dynamic from the start, with numerous breakaway attempts. Midway, two riders—one from iSpeed and another from Landis—managed to break away, maintaining their lead for a full lap before being reeled back in during the final lap. The race culminated in a sprint finish, with Nathan Cusack of Kelly Benefits Cycling Team taking the win. By day's end, Jonas Walton retained a slim GC lead over Patrick Welch of Above and Beyond Cancer.
The final day brought us to Oro Valley for the much-anticipated Circuit Race, a course three years in the making. Thanks to the collaboration with Oro Valley and Rutledge Dental, we unveiled a 2.8-mile circuit featuring a nearly one-mile steady climb with a breathtaking hilltop finish overlooking Naranja Park and view of the majestic Catalina Mountains. The course's fast descent through the Monterra Vista neighborhood added to the excitement, with enhanced safety measures allowing riders to navigate high-speed corners confidently (thank you to the Oro Valley Police Department for making this possible).
Riders praised the course's design, with eventual stage winner Nathan Cusack describing it as "the most like a Belgian Kermesse I've ridden in the U.S." The combination of challenging climbs and rapid descents provided opportunities for various rider types to showcase their strengths.
In the Women's Pro/1/2 race, Team TWENTY28 faced increased pressure as competitors aimed to disrupt their GC dominance. However, Anna Hicks showcased her climbing prowess, leading the charge up the ascents with apparent ease. This relentless effort discouraged rivals, and in the final sprint, Sofia Arreola clinched first place, with Marlies Mejías-García in second and local legend Cara O'Neill of Bicycle Ranch Tucson Racing securing third. Anna Hicks's consistent performance throughout the weekend crowned her the 2025 TBC Women's GC champion.
The Men's Pro/1/2 race was equally intense, marked by continuous attacks and counterattacks. A significant breakaway formed mid-race, including key contenders like Patrick Welch, who was eager to overturn his GC deficit. Despite the breakaway's potential, strategic team decisions led to its reintegration into the peloton. In the ensuing sprint finish, Nathan Cusack once again demonstrated his sprinting prowess, securing the stage win. Elias Saigh of Team California took second, and Adin Papell of iSpeed Pro Racing took third in a touch uphill sprint finish. This result propelled Patrick Welch to surpass Jonas Walton in the overall standings, earning him the Men's GC title for Above and Beyond Cancer.
Gratitude and Acknowledgments
We extend our deepest gratitude to the Town of Oro Valley and Rutledge Dental for their unwavering support in bringing the new circuit course to fruition. Special thanks to our title sponsor, The Meteor, for their generous contributions, and to all our riders, volunteers, and supporters who made this event a resounding success.
The Marana Time Trial Prologue is a short, flat 4.5 mile / 7.2 km point-to-point course. New this year, the course uses a new section of the Chuck Huckelberry Loop passing by two parks and beautiful mountain vistas. The prologue will create the first leaders of the General Classification. This will be Eddie Merckx style.
The Rio Nuevo Criterium presented by Visit Tucson is new for this year. The evening crit will be for Men Pro/1/2, Women Pro/1/2, Men Cat 2/3 and Men Masters 40+. The course is 0.73 mile / 1.2 km long. More info on Timed Stage Race (Pro Categories) and Points Stage Race (Men 2/3 and Masters 40+) scoring is available in the Technical Guide. For Spectator info, please visit our Info page.
Newly paved roads breathe new life into this classic course. A challenging 20.5 mile loop (33 km) with approximately 1000 feet of climbing, including a solid, sustained climb, rollers, flats and a rapid descent.
The Oro Valley Circuit Race, presented by Rutledge Dental, is getting a refresh! We’ve shortened the course and it will feature a tough uphill finish on Musette Drive in the heart of Naranja Park. This new layout (2.8 mile / 4.5 km) promises a challenging and exciting final day of racing with several great spectating areas!
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