October 31, 2006 – With just three days remaining before the beginning of the La Ruta de los Conquistadores, it’s clear this year’s edition of the legendary mountain bike race could be the most epic.

Racing will get underway at the crack of dawn on Friday, Nov. 3 in what could be the most decisive stage. At just under 100km, Stage 1 does not on paper appear to be as difficult as the mountainous Stage 2 which sees riders ascend into the clouds. It’s just that they may have to walk and run for upwards of an hour.

At the press conference today at the San Jose Hampton Inn, several top mountain riders were present to field questions about the upcoming adventure. Although mountain bike legends Thomas Frishknecht and Tom Ritchey will be racing Friday, the two Toms could not make it. Attending the conference, however, were some of the USA’s best riders, Jeremiah Bishop (VW-Trek) and Adam Craig (Giant), as well as recent Pan American Champion, Colombian Hector Paez (ProDynamix).

This is not Bishop’s first trip to La Ruta, and he looks to better his fifth place of 2005. “It’s one of the biggest adventures of my season,” the American explained. “It’s an opportunity to learn, and meet fabulous people. I had a great time last year so I had to come here again to do a great race and have fun.”

Giant’s Craig echoed these sentiments. “It’s really nice to be here, an honour once again. It’s such an interesting three days with great scenery and I’m really excited.”

“Interesting” is an understatement. With three incredibly tough days on the schedule, many riders may not even finish. Not only will riders take on an impressive mix of asphalt, single-track and trails, there is a strong possibility of rain – which would make each stage considerably tougher. Last year the majority of the race was set in torrential rain which saw races being played out in a mud arena; each day was a slow, mucky slog.

For the shy and stoic Hector Paez, also a La Ruta newbie, the challenge will be getting through the first stage. A gifted climber, Paez must be the odds-on favourite to win considering the massive climbs of Stage 2.

“I checked out the stages on the website and I am really excited to be here and race against some very talented riders like Bishop and Frishknecht,” Paez explained. “I don’t like to race so much on foot, so I’m hoping we don’t have to walk or run as much on Friday.”

Indeed, with organizers stating there is a good chance there will be several sections which will require riders to dismount, due to the terrain, it’s possible Paez will be playing catch-up by Saturday. Stage 2 has been changed since last year, which could work in Paez’s favour – it is possible it will be take longer with an earlier flatter section removed, taking riders straight to the climbs.

Weather should prove to be one of the biggest challenges. In fact, when asked, all three contenders concurred this was one of the foremost thoughts on their minds. “I know that it will all come down to who is best equipped for mud and rain,” Adam Craig said. His compatriot learned from last year and like most of the top riders here, will be riding a hardtail. “This year I’ve brought my Trek 9.9 to ride, and mud tires. I was ill-prepared in 2005 so I don’t want that to happen again.”

With some of the top riders on the NORBA and World Cup circuit present, it’s anybody’s guess to see who will take top honours by Sunday. Canada’s Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain/Business Objects) has always been a tough all-rounder and could spoil the parade of the Americans or Paez. Hestler is a veteran of adventure mountain bike races and should definitely be a podium threat. But as all the riders agreed, never discount Frishknecht who seems to thrive when the going gets tough. The wiley Swiss’s record at the Ruta proves it, with the veteran racer having dominated here last year becoming the first non-Costa Rican to win La Ruta.

With mountain bike legends old and new here, this year’s event has been said to be the best yet. “The level of competition has just gone way up over the past few years,” Bishop continued. “And it’s due to the solid reputation of the event as both a well-organized race and a tough one.”

Indeed, this may be a personal challenge to all the riders, whether first or last: To finish. As Craig concluded, the sole reason he was here was simply to “take a crack at the legend that is La Ruta.”