As recently seen in the Ahwatukee Foothills News:
Ahwatukee Woman Wins Recreational Title in the 6th Annual Tour De Scottsdale Bicycle Race
By Steve Elwell – October 8th 2009
Local Athlete Tracey Perez, 37, was the first female athlete to cross the finish line at the 2009 Tour De Scottsdale Bicycle race on October 4th, giving her a 1st place Podium finish and top honors. A resident of the Ahwatukee Foothills, Perez competed in the women’s recreational division of the race and completed the course with a top female time of 2:54:51.9. Perez is extremely active in the local athletic scene, training frequently at Life Time Fitness Tempe and with the Ahwatukee Cycling group. She is also a Regional Class Half Marathoner. Heidi Melendez, 34, of Chandler, was second in the recreational division with a time of 2:55:19.7, a mere 28 seconds behind Perez. This was the first Podium finish for Melendez and only her second Tour race. Tischa Donaldson, 36, of Anthem was third in the recreational division with a time of 3:05:02.4.
Lane Sanders, 43, of Gilbert won top honors in the men’s recreational category with a time of 2:54:45.4. Sanders bested Jesses Robles, 26, of Tempe by a mere 0.4 seconds in an exciting sprint finish. Robles second place finish was 2:54:45.8. John Holmstul, 56, of Phoenix took third place honors at 2:54:46.4.
For the first time ever the Tour de Scottsdale was sanctioned as a competitive event by USA Cycling, which is the governing body for competitive cycling in the United States. The competitive sanction allowed race organizers to field a professional (competitive) class with prize money. The sanctioning of the event attracted about 50 top cyclists licensed by USAC. Prize purses were awarded at $1,000 for 1st, $500 for 2nd and $250 for 3rd place finishes in the competitive division.
In the Men’s Competitive division Sergie Grechyn of Scottsdale was the first man across the finish line in 2:36:11. He was later surprised to learn that Brian Forbes was declared the winner after USA Cycling officials disqualified Grechyn, claiming he violated USAC racing rules by crossing a double yellow line in a no-passing zone. Three minutes behind in a sprint to the finish line, Brian Forbes beat Chris Aten by less than one second, with a time of 2:39:11.3 to claim top honors. Aten, 22, of Flagstaff, took second place with a time of 2:39:12.4. Third place went to 27-year-old Tim Carolan of Tucson, with a time of 2:39:18.6.
In the Female Competitive division, Local Cyclist Sabrina Savage, 25, of Mesa finished first with a time of 2:54:55.9. Second in the competitive division was Heidi Clayton, 41 of Phoenix with a time of 2:56:05.2. Clayton took top honors in the 2007 Tour. Spring Clegg, 30 took third place honors with a time of 2:56:16.3.
About the Tour De Scottsdale:
The Tour De Scottsdale Bicycle Race starts at DC Ranch in North Scottsdale and follows a challenging and hilly 70 mile route that goes around the McDowell Mountain Preserve, through Cave Creek, Rio Verde, Fountain Hills, Phoenix and Carefree. The 2009 event participant list was a record 1350 athletes. The event also included a family fun ride with some 50 participants and an expo featuring food booths and music. Proceeds from the ride will benefit the McDowell Sonoran Conservancy, an organization that supports Scottsdale’s McDowell Sonoran Preserve. Event information including race results can be obtained by visiting http://www.dcbadventures.com/ or by contacting the event organizer, David Benjes of DCB Adventures at david@benjes.com
Pictured is Tracey Perez of Phoenix (left) and Heidi Melendez of Chandler (right) on the Podium receiving awards for their top finish times in the 6th Annual Tour De Scottsdale Bicycle Race.
