Cyclists from across the nation came to El Paso for the start of the third annual Great Southwest Tour del Paso bicycle race Sunday. Photo by Spc. Cassandra Villezcas.
Team Bliss supports Tour del Paso
Hundreds of bicyclists from across the nation gathered here to participate in the third annual Great Southwest Tour del Paso bicycle race Sunday.
The USA Cycling-sanctioned event, presented with primary sponsorship from the El Paso Sports Commission, started riders in Northeast El Paso and continued them on a 90-mile trek to New Mexico and back.
The overall winner of the race was Anthony Colby from Durango, Colo., who was also the 2006 winner. In the women’s division, the overall winner was Marisa Aselund-Owens, also from Durango. Both cyclists received a $750 prize for their winning performances.
The second- and third-place men’s winners were Matt Shriver of Durango and Damion Calvert of Albuquerque, N.M. Among the women, the second- and third-place winners were Jennifer Wilson of El Paso and Josephine Nelson of Las Cruces, N.M. All four cyclists received $250.
Octavio Betance helps his son, Gilberto, stretch while preparing for the Tour del Paso bike race Sunday. Photo by Spc. Cassandra Villezcas.
“Training for a competition (like this) makes you mentally and physically tough,” said Lt. Col. Jeff Sauder, the director of Air and Missile Defense Battle Lab, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade. “When you’re riding with 50 other guys and they’re all battling for the same position, your mind has got to be sharp and your body has got to be in good condition.”
In addition to the competitive event, the Tour del Paso also showcased community fundraising support for the Children’s Miracle Network.
“(The race) is a great reflection on the community,” said David Halliburton, director of the Tour del Paso.
Lt. Col Jeff Sauder, the director of Air and Missile Defense Battle Lab, Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 6th Air Defense Artillery Brigade stands with his bike as he prepares for the Tour del Paso bike race Sunday. Photo by Spc. Cassandra Villezcas.
Brian Kennedy, chief executive officer of the El Paso Sports Commission, said his organization hopes to make the annual bicycling tour into a regional event outside of El Paso. Altogether, he said the event is geared toward generating sports tourism with the goal of leaving the tourism money here in El Paso.