Sixteen years ago, Roman Urbina read about the Spanish Conqueror Juan de Caballon on his 20 years trip in the beautiful mountains of Costa Rica, in his attempt for exploring the country. This expedition started at the Pacific Coast and finished in the Caribbean. Urbina, a recognized Costa Rican athlete and adventurer, decided to retrace that long voyage.

Captivated by the history of that Spanish General, Roman and 34 other brave journeymen started the trip across nine of the twelve microclimates that Costa Rica possesses. This adventure led them to cross several lavish rain forests, majestic volcanoes, spectacular mountains and crystal clear rivers.

The very spirit of the participants determined that such a trip had to turn into an annual event and competition, so that’s how La Ruta de los Conquistadores was born.

Today, many years later, La Ruta is considered as the most difficult mountain bike race on the planet.
The prestige that this competition has gained among the international cycling community makes La Ruta a huge success for all the hard work and energy invested by the organization.

La Ruta de los Conquistadores is the most important race in Costa Rica and the only one that every year attracts a considerable number of competitors and international mass media journalists. Throughout 16 years of existence, La Ruta has attracted almost 5500 cyclists from all around the world.

OFFICIAL LA RUTA RACE REPORT
The ticos’ idol won his fifth La Ruta
Playa Bonita of Limon, Costa Rica.- “This is definitely my favorite race. That’s my main motivation”, said Costa Rican cyclist Federico Ramirez (BCR-Pizza Hut) after finishing the 2008’s La Ruta de los Conquistadores, in Limón (The Caribbean Province of the country).

“Lico” was answering a question from a Media representative, at the press conference held only a few seconds after crossing the finish of the last stage, between Aquiares and Playa Bonita. He was second today, since his archrival Paolo Montoya (Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital) won the final sprint. However, Ramirez achieved the first place in the GC; his fifth La Ruta’s trophy in six appearances. Nobody has won that much in this race…he’s the King Conquistador.

The overall time of the winner was 17:52:32, some 30 minutes faster than last year’s. “Weather helped us a lot! Last year’s was the hardest La Ruta I’ve won. This time, after the toughest day 1 ever, we managed to control the other three stages, however it was much more comfortable,” he commented. Paolo Montoya had to accept the second place certificate for the second edition in a row (at 13:46); in both years he followed Ramirez. “I would like to congratulate ‘Lico’, he has had a terrific race. His teammate Alexander (Sanchez) really helped him too so it was a great team job,” stated Paolo.

Once again the “pizza” boys worked together and left almost every one behind at the very beginning of the closing course. Only Montoya was able to follow their pace on the first climb and along the flattest kilometers of the whole race. This package of three stayed joined for the merciless train tracks and defined the stage at the very finish line of Playa Bonita.

The third place of the GC went to Enrique Artavia (Super Pro-Economy Rent a Car), 1:08:41 behind the champion. Frenchman Thomas Dietsch (Gewiss-Bianchi) was fourth, descending one position compared to his result of last year’s Conquistadores.

Fifth position was for Costa Rican--though USA based--Manuel Prado (Sho-Air/Rock N’ Road Cyclery). Manny’s career of four years has been directly related to this race. He was “thirty something” overall in his first La Ruta, in 2005. This time he climbed up to the podium in what should be considered definitely his highlight.



2008 LA RUTA RESULTS
stage 1/stage 2/stage 3/stage 4...overall time
1. FREDERICO RAMIREZ (CRI)…BCR-PIZZA HUT…5:54:37/3:54:51/3:20:23/4:42:42...17:52:32
2. PAOLO MONTOYA (CRI)…ECONOMY RENT A CAR…6:04:54/3:52:02/3:26:41/4:42:42...18:06:18
3. ENRIQUE ARTAVIA (CRI)…SUPER PRO-ECONOMY…6:18:17/3:57:47/3:52:59/4:52:11...19:01:13
4. THOMAS DIETSCH (FRA)…GEWISS-BIANCHI…6:22:59/3:59:44/3:47:28/4:52:10...19:02:20
5. MANUEL PRADO (CRI)…SHO-AIR/ROCK N'ROAD…6:19:58/4:05:51/3:48:15/4:52:09...19:06:12
6. ALEXANDER SANCHEZ (CRI)…BCR-PIZZA HUT…6:28:16/4:07:31/3:56:36/4:42:45...19:15:07
7. ROBERT HERAS (SPN)…6:20:01/3:59:51/4:03:39/4:52:09...19:15:40
8. MARVIN CAMPOS (CRI)…SUPER PRO-ECONOMY…6:37:34/3:59:46/4:03:38/4:52:08...19:33:05
9. SIBL RADOSLAV (CZE)…BIKEZONE-MRX…6:30:18/4:24:14/4:15:57/4:47:15...19:57:43
10. HARLAN PRICE (USA)…INDEPENDENT FAB…6:47:44/4:33:15/4:01:10/4:47:16...20:09:23
11. THOMAS TURNER (USA)…VAN MICHAEL SALON…6:53:21/4:22:31/4:07:29/4:52:09...20:15:30