Members of the Benco Dental Trailblazer Region in Northern California united to create a cycling team recently with Dr. J.Carlos Mendoza of iTooth Dentistry, of Fresno, and Dr. Israel J. Trujillo, of Merced, to compete in the California Classic.

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Friendly Benco Rep Jose Virrueta after cycling 100 miles in the California Classic April 2.

The event, hosted this past weekend, benefits Fresno’s Chaffee Zoo, Inc, a non-profit organization, and includes cycle races (Century, Metric or Mini-Metric – April 2), a  Half Marathon or Relay through the new African Adventure at the Fresno Chaffee Zoo and a 5k Rock n Run.

“Jose Virrueta got us all involved,” said Rob Kiddoo, a Benco Regional Manager, in the Trailblazer region, referencing one of the Friendly Benco Reps in Northern California.  “It was either  a 60 mile or a 100 mile race.  Only Jose had the determination to do the entire 100 miles.  The rest of us did  60, and were proud of it.”

Members of the team from the nation’s largest privately owned dental distributor are already committed to a ride around Lake Tahoe (76 miles) in September. Kiddoo said the team has high hopes for next year’s California Classic.

“Next year, we’ll all do 100 miles.”

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Shown, from left: Richard Rivera (Benco Service Technician, Trailblazer and Bay regions), his wife Chelsea Rivera, Shiloh Bachelor (OraPharma Territory Rep), Michael Garcia (Benco Service Technician, Trailblazer and Bay regions), Jose Virrueta (Benco Territory Rep, Trailblazer region), Patty Kiddoo (spouse), Rob Kiddoo (Benco Regional Manager, Trailblazer), Stephanie Bottorff (Benco Territory Rep, Trailblazer region). Absent from photo, Dr. Julio Mendoza and his wife.