La Ruta De Los Conquistadores
La Ruta - Toughest Ever
03.11.2006
La Ruta organization held a “launching� press conference at the Hampton Inn Hotel in San José, Costa Rica’s capital city. Some of the pro-racers invited for the challenge commented on their intentions to the local and international media.
Colombian Hector Leonardo Paez (Full Dynamix) said he expected to face a course that was the toughest ever. “I’ve heard lots of things about this year’s race. Locals say that this year’s will be the most difficult course in the history of La Ruta. I just want to make I do the best I can and see what happens. I know there will be a lot of climbing which I particularly prefer�, said the current MX World Cup champion, who was Pan Am king and second place in the last Marathon World Championship.
As for the North American field, Jeremiah Bishop (Volkswagen-Trek) and Adam Craig (Giant USA) were also present at the press briefing. Adam is riding La Ruta as the “show star� for Canadian Ride Guide’s La Ruta team, while Jeremiah will be part of the Peaks Coach Team among other 8 riders.
“The level of competition is growing year after year so that's the biggest challenge of this race. The first stage seems to be harder than last year’s. I learned some things on my first time in La Ruta (2005) and I bought a Hardtail this time because of the climbing, and I definitely brought mud tires…lots of them!� Bishop said.
Regarding to the newcomers, besides Páez, Giant’s Adam Craig is one of the most best known at the race. His victory in one of the Sea Otter Classic stages earlier this year, plus his notorious youth and strength, put him among the top contenders.
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