The wind wasn\u2019t the only obstacle El Tour De Tucson winner Stephen Schaefer was struggling with during Saturday\u2019s big race.<\/p>\n
The 34-year-old Tucson rider had a lot more than placing first on his mind.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m riding with a lot of emotion,\u201d the athlete said, bombarded by media immediately following his win. He shared that his father \u2014 his idol \u2014 is currently in a coma, suffering from colon cancer, and may have even passed away during Schaefer\u2019s 102-mile Century ride.<\/p>\n
\u201cI really wanna do this for him,\u201d he said. \u201cI hope he\u2019s proud of me.\u201d<\/p>\n
In spite of the grief \u2014 and the 35-mph average wind speed \u2014 Schaefer coasted through the finish line at 3 hours, 39 minutes and 32 seconds, teammate and friend Nikos Casto\u00a0crossing just one second behind. It was Casto\u2019s first El Tour de Tucson race, made better only by the fact that the two did it together.<\/p>\n
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Stephen Schaefer, right, raises his arm as he crosses the finish line first as his teammate, Nikos Casto, follows just behind in the 42nd annual El Tour de Tucson on Nov. 22, 2025. The riders, of the Landis Cyclery team, broke away from the 102-miler pack to finish first and second.<\/p>\n
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star<\/p>\n
\u201cLet\u2019s gooooo!\u201d Schaefer and Casto shouted, tossing their arms across each other\u2019s shoulders as their bikes soared then slowed to the sound of cowbells clanking and fans cheering with excitement.<\/p>\n
It was the dream of each athlete to share this moment together, an achievement worthy of celebration, Schaefer said with a smile.<\/p>\n
His evening plans? A few adult beverage, tamales and empanadas to round out his big win.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was the best time,\u201d he said. \u201cComing along that last street with my teammate was absolute magic. I knew we did it. I knew we pulled it off.\u201d<\/p>\n
This year\u2019s Century race ended with both male and female winners proudly claiming Tucson as home.<\/p>\n
Tucson\u2019s Marge Rinaldo took the women\u2019s first place title Saturday with a time of 3 hours, 53 minutes and 2 seconds. Rinaldo took second place last year with a time of 3 hours, 45 minutes and 53 seconds.<\/p>\n
While the rain stayed at bay, the wind had plans of its own, blowing signs out of people\u2019s hands, whipping hair in front of faces, and sending chills down spines.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Marjorie Rinaldo is the first female to cross the finish line in the 102-mile bike race in the 42nd annual El Tour de Tucson, Nov. 22, 2025.<\/p>\n
Mamta Popat, Arizona Daily Star<\/p>\n