Bikers of all ages and levels came to participate in this year's Tour of the Gila in Downtown Silver City on Saturday, May 5. There was something for everyone, spectators rang cowbells loud and clear as racers pedaled by, shops and restaurants were ready to serve, children had the opportunity to participate in a free bicycle rodeo, there was live music, food and crafts. The day started off with the Women's 3,4 racing a distance of 13 miles and the Men's 4 racing at 16.2 miles. Master Men's group sped through the downtown loop mid-morning and then citizens ages 3 and up had their chance to race like the pros followed by the Men's and Women's Pro teams and, for the first time, UCI Men taking 40 laps taking this Tour of the Gila into international racing status.

Eight women in the Women's Pro 1,2 came in at 1:04:45 in the Downtown Criterium. They are Loren Rowney of FCS|ROUSE p/b Mr. Restore, Carmen Small NOW and Novartis for MS, Christi Gokey-Smith of NOW and Novartis for MS, Alison Powers of NOW and Novartis for MS, Joanie Caron of Colavita-espnW Pro Cycling, Olivia Dillon of NOW and Novartis for MS, Jade Wilcoxson NOW and Novartis for MS and Emma Grant, also of NOW and Novartis for MS. Coming in ninth place was Kristin Armstrong of Exergy TWENTY12, who continues to hold on to her overall lead with 4:46 over Small and 5:22 over Powers. In the team standings, Exergy TWENTY12 is in first, with Optum p/b Kelly Benefit just 1:16 behind. In third place is NOW and Novartis for MS at 4:24 behind.

Twenty men in the UCI Men came in at 1:33:40, with overall leaders Rory Sutherland of United Health Care Pro Cycling Tea in first overall individual and Francisco Mancebo of Competitive Cyclist Racing Team, third individual among them. Best Young Rider Joe Dombrowski of Bontrager-Livestrong Team remains in second place individually, although he came in 17 seconds behind Sutherland and Mancebo.

Sunday is the final day of the 2012 16th Annual Tour of the Gila and usually determines the overall winners with a grueling race. Racers will participate in the Gila Monster Road Race, with a start in Gough Park in Silver City, Racers will ride eastward on U.S. 180, turn left onto New Mexico 150, and left onto NM 35. All racers finish on NM 15 in Pinos Altos, six miles north of Silver City.

Different categories travel the same route, with the addition of the Men's 1,2 taking a side trip and back on 152 to Emory Pass covering 102 miles. The UCI Men race is the monster, with a side trip and return to the Gila Cliff Dwellings Visitor Center for 105.7 miles. Citizen racers travel from Camp Thunderbird on NM 35 to Pinos Altos.

For more information about the Tour of the Gila go to: www.tourofthegila.com

Photos by Melia Moore

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