CYCLING RACE ACROSS AMERICA : Houston’s Kent Takes Over First Place With Methodical Move Up Standings

Rick Kent of Houston has moved into first place in the Race Across America, passing through Cameron, Ariz., 550 miles into the race Sunday at 7:36 p.m. (PST).

Kent was in fourth place when he reached Prescott, Ariz., in the mid-morning. At each successive checkpoint, he moved up a place in the standings and was in the lead when he passed through Cameron.

Defending champion Bob Fourney of Denver trailed Kent by 18 minutes. Steve Born of Thousand Oaks was third (8:17 p.m.), David Kees of Auburn, Calif., was fourth (8:18 p.m.). Loren Godshall of Los Altos led the race through successive checkpoints Sunday but hadn’t reached Cameron by 9 p.m.

Temperatures reached into the high-90s as the riders labored on the steep grades surrounding Prescott. Riders reported light winds that made the heat more bearable, however.

The 2,930-mile race, in its 10th year, started at 9 a.m. Saturday at the Irvine Holiday Inn.

The winner is expected to reach the finish line in Savannah, Ga., in about eight days.

Cathy Ellis of Cambridge, Mass., led the women’s division, passing through Prescott at 4:51 p.m. Debbie Ann Breaud of Burleson, Tex., was second (5:12 p.m.) and Mary Burns of DeLand, Fla., was third (8:10 p.m.).