Costa Rica's premier mountain bike event is considered to be one of the most difficult athletic challenges in the world. The La Ruta course runs the general paths that Juan de Cabalton's army took crossing the land between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. It covers 177 miles in three days while going through nine different microclimates. From the Pacific riders head 9850 feet up Irazu Volcano, crossing through jungles, rain forests, bottomless mud, wheel-swallowing rivers and volcanic rock en route to the Caribbean. Gnarly suspension bridges over deep river gorges with snapping Caiman alligators add to the excitement. This time of year high humidity, 100 degree temps and rain are the norm. As well as flats, busted components and crashes.
American Louise Kobin and Swissman Thomas Frischknecht entered the 2006 race as the defending La Ruta Champions. (Three times straight for Kobin, who is also U.S. Marathon number three.) Also returning this year was U.S. Short Track number two Jeremiah Bishop, who placed fifth here in 2005. United States National Super D Champion Adam Craig and 24 Hour Champ Tinker Juarez added to the U.S. star power. Tinker also placed fifth in this race, but in 2004.
In the end no one could stop Colombian Hector Paez. (Or Hector Leonardo Paez Leon if you like the full name thing...) Winning La Ruta puts closure on a great year. Earlier in 2006 Paez won the Pan Am Championships and the Marathon World Cup Series, not to mention taking second at the Marathon World's and finishing fifth at the Cross-Country World Championships. Paez is only 24 years old.
World Cup Marathon Series number six, Marg Fedyna of Canada, took the 2006 La Ruta women's crown.
After a scary crash and resulting facial injury, Jeremiah Bishop flew home during day two.
2006 LA RUTA FACT SHEET
*176.6 miles total
*30.3 miles paved
*42.9 miles mud
*88.7 miles gravel
*15.7 miles railbed
*28,938 feet of climbing
*9932 feet highest elevation
LA RUTA FINAL RESULTS
1. Hector Paez (Col)...Full Dynamix...14:01:52...12.6 mph av
2. Andrei Amador (CRC)...BCR-Pizza Hut...at 24:41
3. Federico Ramirez (CRC)...BCR-Pizza Hut...37:57
4. Deiver Esquivel (CRC)...IBP...1:17:43
5. Marzio Deho (Ita)...Olympia...1:19:18
6. Tinker Juarez...Cannondale...1:21:21
7. Adam Craig...Giant...1:43:00
8. Eddy Perez (CRC)...Dos Pinos...1:44:03
9. Marvin Campos (CRC)...IBP...1:51:47
10. Thomas Frischknecht (Swi)...Swisspower-Scott...2:04:32
WOMEN
1. Marg Fedyna (Can)...Bungalowboys...19:11:15...9.2 mph av
2. Louise Kobin...XFusion...at 1:12:08
3. Hilary Harri
son...Kenda-Giant...1:27:52
4. Rebecca Rusch...Specialized-Red Bull...2:21:29
5. Cristine de Mezerville Ferrero (CRC)...Battery...3:58:10
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