TUCSON, Ariz. — It's time again for Arizona's largest cycling event.
Cyclists take off early Saturday morning for a 25 to 100 mile ride.
Crossing the finish line is an accomplishment for anyone, but especially for one Tucsonan.
Marc Leuty started training for last year's race months in advance.
In September, during one of those training sessions, he was hit by a car.
"I was coming up Broadway, and was struck, then taken to banner hospital where I was diagnosed with multiple fractures in my skull, and a collapsed lung," Leuty said.
He wouldn't ride again for seven months. He missed El Tour de Tucson 2018.
But he said he couldn't wait to get back on his bike.
"One of the first questions I asked was 'where's my bike?'" Leuty said. "So yes, it was always in my head that I would be back out there."
It was also during that time Leuty got involved with "Look, save a Life." The organization spreads awareness of looking out for cyclists and pedestrians on the road. Now, Leuty is determined not to let the crash keep him from El Tour again.
"It's simply a speed bump, it's not a wall," Leuty said. "It's something that can be overcome. Anything can with faith and determination."
Leuty is riding 50 miles in El Tour de Tucson 2019.
