40 FEBRUARY 2024 By Mallory Gleich The year was 2020. The gyms were shut down – as was almost everything else – and Noah Anastassatos was looking for a way to get some exercise when a friend mentioned that he was training for a triathlon. Well, Noah wasn’t ready for a triathlon, but he was interested in part of the training: bicycle riding. After joining his friend for a few rides, his passion for cycling grew. Just a few years later, Noah celebrated a first place win at the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson in November 2023. Twenty-six-year-old Noah attended Hopi, Ingleside and Arcadia High before heading to Wagner College Business School and ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor School of Law for his Master’s Degree. “I was going to become a lawyer, but I was interested in sports business law and growing in the sports agency world, connecting brands with athletes. That was shut down for a while, so job opportunities were sparse,” Noah said. He was introduced to a gentleman who worked at Western Retail Advisors, and as he says, “I never looked back.” The company specializes in retail leasing for big companies and restaurants around Arizona. In 2019 and early 2020, Noah began riding a bicycle as a means of exercise. His father had been an avid rider for years, but Noah didn’t pick it up until his friend invited him to go – and now, Noah and his dad ride together. “It was more for fitness, but I got to know a lot of guys in the cycling community,” Noah said. “I did my first race in 2022.” That first race – the Tour de Mesa – saw 600 riders. Noah placed eighth. He decided to keep going. Noah entered the 2023 Tour de Tucson, one of the largest bicycle races in the United States and the longest-running bicycle event in Arizona. There are different races within, but Noah went for the one with the most miles – 102, to be exact. To kickstart his training, Noah joined his family on a five-day cycling trip in the Dolomites (in Italy) over the summer: 35,000 feet of climbing and 240 miles of riding. With a few weeks to go before the race, he was riding 300 miles a week. Then, it was time for the tour. “We averaged 27.5 miles an hour for 102 miles. For the first 30 miles, I was thinking about staying in the pack and not catching any drafts. The race took just under four hours,” Noah said. Drafting means closely following behind another cyclist to take advantage of the reduced air resistance, making it easier to maintain speed and conserve energy. “At mile 70, I was thinking, ‘this is anybody’s race,’” Noah said, referring to the 50 riders in the group that he was in. “I kept thinking, ‘Okay, stay safe,’ because it’s 50 guys going 30 miles an hour, cones are flying everywhere, and a guy had just wrecked in front of me – and I dodged him, thankfully.” Noah said races can get highly competitive. Riders come from all over the world; some have even participated in the Tour de France or raced on teams. In the last mile, the riders were coming to a head, and Noah knew he needed one final push to make it to the finish line. “I held 38 miles per hour for 30-40 seconds and knew I had a little gap in the left turn to the finish line. My legs were smoked, but I knew I had to keep pushing,” he said. “I crossed the finish line and could not believe I had won. It was wild.” Noah was swarmed by the media immediately after, but all he wanted to do was find his family. “My girlfriend and mom found me and came running down the road, and then we waited for my dad, who was also in the race – his face, when he realized I won – was just awesome,” Noah said. After the race, Noah was presented with a trophy and a Tissot watch. He is now training for the Tour de Scottsdale, which takes place April 13. #1 out of 3,000: Arcadia bicyclist wins big at Tucson race Along with the trophy, Noah received a Tissot watch for his first place win. PHOTOS COURTESY OF NOAH ANASTASSATOS Noah Anastassatos at the finish line of the 40th annual El Tour de Tucson. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com erican Family Mutual Insurance Company, I. & its Operating Companies, 00 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 ALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A O-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. SURANCE DESIGNED WITH OU AND YOUR DREAMS IN IND. J M Chapman Agency Inc Jay Chapman, Agent Bus: (480) 945-7122 7055 E Thomas Rd Scottsdale, AZ 85251 jchapman@amfam.com American Family Mutual Insurance Company, S.I. & its Operating Companies, 6000 American Parkway, Madison, WI 53783 ©2015 006441 – Rev. 2/20 – 12923221 CALL (480) 945-7122 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. INSURANCE DESIGNED WITH YOU AND YOUR DREAMS IN MIND. CALL (480) 990-8855 FOR A NO-OBLIGATION FREE QUOTE.