Former pro cyclist and national road and crit champion Eric Marcotte and Bermuda’s Caitlin Conyers each rode solo across the line to victories Saturday at the Vuelta a Santa Catalina road race in the Men’s Pro 1/2/3 and Women’s Pro 1/2/3 fields, respectively.
Marcotte originally broke away with Marcel Berger (ZiaVelo Cycling/NMSU) and Paul Thomas within the first 15 miles of the 80-mile, 4,506-foot elevation gain race near Oracle, Ariz., and the three-man break stayed away for the majority of the race.
In the Women’s Pro 1/2/3 race, Marilyn Chychota (Dean Factory Racing) broke away within the first 25 miles but was reeled back in. The field then split into two groups before breaking up before the finish.
Cecile Lejeune (Landis/Trek) and Meghan Henry (unattached) rounded out the women’s podium in second and third. Ethan Overson (Gateway Trek) and Keegan Swenson (Stan’s/Pivot Pro Team p/b Maxxis) came in second and third for the men, despite Matthew Riccitello’s (LUX/Specialized by Cynergy) efforts to edge Swenson out at the line.
In the Men’s Cat 5 race, Timothy Finnegan (Bicycle Ranch Tucson Racing p/b Tucson ER & Hospital) stood at the top of the podium, while Sophie Linn (unattached) took the No. 1 position for the Women’s Cat 5 race.
Racing continues Sunday at the University of Arizona for the UA Cycling Grand Prix.
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