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A Southwestern tradition, the Tucson Bicycle Classic gets under way this afternoon

by VeloNews.com

• March 06, 2009
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The 23rd annual Tucson Bicycle Classic gets under way Friday for what should be a sun-splashed weekend of road racing in southern Arizona.

Racing begins with the Old Tucson/McCain Loop Time Trial. The course uses a 3-mile stretch of freshly paved road, beginning with gentle rollers leading to a 5 percent climb, then serving up more rollers followed by a 6 percent-plus climb to the finish.

Stage 2, Saturday’s Sahuarita/Garrett Lemire Memorial Road Race, features a 20-mile loop with approximately 700 feet of climbing, including a solid, sustained ascent just after the start-finish line. Elite men will race 80 miles, women 60 miles.

The TBC concludes on Sunday with the Stage 3 Speedway/Anklam Circuit Race. Men will race nine laps on the hilly, 5.6-mile loop; women will cover seven laps.

The National Weather Service predicts sunny, breezy conditions, with highs in the upper 60s to mid-70s.

Last year’s winners were David Salomon (P&S-Specialized) and Leda Cox (America’s Dairyland).