James Gregg / Arizona Daily Star

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Most of the big names in global cycling have blessed El Tour de Tucson with their presence. Greg LeMond, for instance. The great Lance Armstrong and the not-so-great Floyd Landis.

Olympic gold medalist Steve Hegg rode in our Fall Classic several times. Jeannie Longo, who is among the world's most distinguished female cyclists, has been here so often that founder Richard DeBernardis named the guest house at his home "The Jeannie Longo House."

You want big names? Here's one: Louise Herrett. Here's another: Andy Guerrero.

Herrett and Guerrero can't chase down and overhaul international cycling standouts Gord Fraser and Robbie Ventura on a Silverbell Road sprint, but among a hardy volunteer crew of almost 2,000, they are champions. The Herrett and Guerrero families are established among the 25 leading personalities of El Tour's first 25 years.

In El Tour, the race isn't necessarily for first place but, rather, to find a place to be of service.

Here is one man's list, the Top 25, in alphabetical order:

● Greg Baraff: Few in the El Tour mainstream have gotten things done the way the Tucson marketing executive has gotten things done: He delivered three title sponsors — First Magnus, AlphaGraphics and Charter Funding.

● Kent Bostick: The Babe Ruth of El Tour. The Olympic cyclist, a hydrologist now living in Tennessee, won the event six times and was in contention in the years he didn't win. His former wife, Carol Ann James, is a four-time winner of the women's event.

● Jonas and Jame Carney: Two of America's top cyclists over the last 15 years, the Flagstaff-based Carney brothers have made an impact at El Tour. Jonas, an Olympian, won the event in 1992 and recruited Lance Armstrong to ride here in 1997. Jame was El Tour's champ in 1998, 1999 and 2000.

● Jack Copeland: Tucson's world-renowned heart-transplant surgeon is a regular at El Tour and an athlete (especially skiing) of note. He's back in this year's field, one of more than 15 he has entered.

● Richard Corbett: Part of DeBernardis' original inner circle, Corbett has been director of the Bike Patrol for 18 years. That means your safety is his first concern. Corbett helped to map out the original El Tour course. One of the cornerstones of the event.

● Richard DeBernardis: Founder and father. UCLA grad with a master's from Harvard. DeBernardis built his reputation as a global endurance cyclist without parallel. He started El Tour on such a shoestring budget that he rented a home his first 19 years in Tucson.

● Nippy Feldhake. The irrepressible and widely known Feldhake has worked for and cycled in every El Tour since its inception. He now works as an associate route director.

● Tyler and Mimi Ford: With his wife, Mimi, Tyler is planning his sixth 109-mile tandem ride. They won it last year as a tandem. "Seems like the older we get, the better we get," he said. The Tucson businessman is part of one of Tucson's most athletically accomplished families. He is a finisher in a recent Ironman Triathlon. His brothers, Cole and Garrett, were Division I football standouts. Mimi is a standout triathlete.

● Andy Guerrero: A retired air-traffic controller, Andy Guerrero has been El Tour's route director for 10 years and a volunteer for 24. His family's involvement is unsurpassed. "My son Ron is flying in from Sacramento to help," Guerrero said. "He'll supervise the trucks and food pickup and delivery. My son Greg assists with food distribution and drives a food truck. My son Larry assists me on the route, taking care of many of the problems that arise. My wife, Peggy, assists in registration and in any other way. We have grandchildren, from age 6 months to 20 years, helping as best they can."

● Jay Guyot : The Tucson businessman works at Carmichael Training Systems, a regional training center for cyclists founded by Lance Armstrong's coach. Guyot's involvement in El Tour is total; it began in 1996. He plans to ride the 109-miler Saturday, then hurry north, via automobile, to the start of the 35-miler where his 12-year-old son, Alex, is to start.

● Mike Harris: According to DeBernardis, Harris, a Tucsonan, "was the first marketing person who saw the future benefits of El Tour." Harris landed the event's first title sponsor, HealthAmerica, in 1986.

● Louise Herrett: "I'm the only remaining member from the original 1984 Board of Directors," said Herrett, who, with her husband, Bill, operates the large aid station at Sabino Creek. "We start at 6:30 a.m., and in some years we don't leave until past dark. My 9-year-old granddaughter, Samantha, has helped us for three years. Most years, I don't take a break the whole day, and that gives you an idea of how many riders come through. "We have medical people. We have a masseuse. We've had musicians. We hand out apples, oranges, cookies, water, Kleenex, bananas. We set up early and we clean up late. We have Porta-Potties at our station, with 15 to 18 volunteers every year. I've seen how much El Tour has impacted our community in a positive way. "

● Greg Hockensmith: The Tucson handcyclist started a program in which El Tour raises money to buy handcycles for young people who don't have use of their legs.

● Heidi Horwitz: In El Tour's second year, 1984, Horwitz displayed the community spirit that has enabled the event to flourish. Even though she finished last of all 621 riders, requiring more than 11 hours, she raised $3,100 in pledges for the American Cancer Society.

● Chuck Koehler: Formerly owner of the old Full Cycle shop on East Speedway, Koehler endeared himself to El Tour riders of every rank by keeping his shop open all night before the event. In 1999, at 2:30 a.m., he sold a bike to a rider from Virginia whose bike had been stolen that day.

● Pat Lopez: A Tucson attorney who, according to DeBernardis, "saved El Tour from going under in 1995." Lopez was responsible for establishing El Tour as a non-profit organization after it lost corporate funding.

● Greg Maciulla: Part of El Tour's "First Family" award in 1986, the retired Tucson gynecologist and his family had the 1992 El Tour dedicated to them. Maciulla is currently in a fight against both colon cancer and prostate cancer. His son, John, has organized "Team Maciulla Rides Again" with about 20 riders wearing green jerseys with "Team Maciulla Rides Again, Est. 1984" across the back. Some will come from as far as Maryland and Texas.

● Elaine Mariolle. Winner of the 1986 women's event, Mariolle, a former Race Across America winner, has been a Tucsonan for eight years and supports El Tour while working on her doctorate at the UA. She is editor of the Perimeter Bicycling Journal and recruits cyclists here globally.

● David Milne: Winner of the first three events, 1983-85, he is a Tucson engineer who has advanced to legendary status.

● Matt Nelson: Those in the El Tour office know him as "El Tour Jr.," an irreplaceable part of the event for 25 years. A prolific writer of outdoor and cycling articles, including those for Tail Winds, a Tucson outdoors periodical.

● Kevin Sherlock: A Tucson attorney who has represented El Tour since 1995 and is responsible for all legal issues involving the event. "Without his support," said DeBernardis, "El Tour would not exist."

● Rose Panziera Steward. At 80, the 1998 El Tour was dedicated to her. She rode (and finished the 108-mile event) on a tandem. Courage? Two months earlier she had undergone a double mastectomy. She died four years later.

● Erv and Ellen Watts. They've since moved to California, but their largesse is legendary. For 16 years, the Watts' former home/property (now owned by DeBernardis) was part of the route. It lies on the banks of Sabino Creek, where thousands of cyclists must cross the wash to be rerouted through Canyon Ranch property. Without the Wattses' cheerful support, cyclists would have been required to ride on congested Sabino Canyon, Tanque Verde and Bear Canyon roads.

● Leila and Totten Warfield: Ever wonder how much work goes into preparation for El Tour? The Warfields, both 82 years young, match rider number bibs with the proper names and attach them to envelopes at El Tour's office. They have also manned the aid station at the Cochise County Cycling Classic.

● Steve Zucarelli: Paralyzed below the waist in a 2000 Tucson automobile accident, Zucarelli embodies the spirit of El Tour. Six months after the accident, he completed the 35-mile event as a handcyclist. He has since been an El Tour regular.

Results of every El Tour finisher.