November 5, 2006 – Andrei Amador (BCR-Pizza Hut) won the final stage of the 2006 La Ruta de los Conquistadores that ended at a sandy, picturesque beach, celebrating the epic race with a hometown win.

Today’s stage was the longest yet at 120 kms but was nowhere near as tough as the first two stages. The race headed out of Turrialba with some relatively easier flat and downhill sections, but still saw the riders climb over 1,700m with a mix of mostly gravel, and 20% pavement. The main feature of the day was the 25km of train track – some of the track still had some railbed!

The locals were upset as no Costa Rican had won a stage yet, so off the bat CR’s Paolo Montoya got the action going by attacking hard. The BCR team followed suit and soon enough, there was a lead group of six riders. It was clear the Costa Ricans were riding with extra motivation today, determined to take a win in their beloved race. The pace was so tough that Thomas Frischknecht (SwissPower) could not stay on the wheels of the breakaway group and ended up dropping off. The other non-Costa Ricans in the move were the Italian Maurizio Deho (Olympia) and race leader Hector Leonardo Paez (COL, Full Dynamix).

Amador rode like a man possessed today, which was in stark juxtaposition to Paez, who was clearly riding to conserve his overall lead. “Today I was thinking about finishing safely and keeping my lead,” the Colombian explained. “I knew I had the win so I didn’t want to take many chances and was content to follow the wheels.”

Amador did admit he was hungry for the win. “I wanted to win today for Costa Rica, to salvage some pride for our special race. At the last feed station I didn’t stop; Paez did. I took a chance avoiding it but in the end it worked out. I’m very proud for myself and my country to win.”

In second place overall going into today was Jeremiah Bishop (VW-Trek), who as expected, was not on the start line. Bishop was transferred to CIMA Hospital in San José after he crashed 5 kms from the finish at Stage 2. He was reported to be in stable condition after an operation to treat two fractures on his nose and jaw as a result of the accident. Bishop was on his way back to the US today.

Although there was not as much drama as yesterday, a few riders still had some bad luck. Canada’s Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) suffered three flats which saw him finish 14th today, but he still managed to move up to 18th overall.

“Man, another tough day,” Hestler said. “I had some bad luck but still, my legs felt ok. I’m just happy to finish, really. It’s the toughest race I ever did and I hope to come back here another time – maybe without my bike so I can truly appreciate the incredible scenery of this country.”

Frischknecht also had more bad luck in between the railbed sections. As Adam “MossMan” Craig (Giant) explained later that the Swiss rider got his wheel clipped by one of the Costa Ricans. “We were all going straight when the lead rider realized at the last second there was a sharp corner,” the American said. “When one of the Costa Ricans saw that, he made a sharp last-second turn and Frischy got his wheel clipped. He wasn’t too pleased about crashing.”

The other big winner today was the Italian rider Deho. He moved up to fifth overall with his second place finish today, and promptly dropped his bike, stripped off his jersey and headed for the beach to cool off. As always, the organizers took full advantage of the scenery and ended the epic stage at Playa Bonita. Riders came off the final stretch to make a sharp right, descending down to the beach to finish with a hundred-metres of sand! Most riders continued on, as Deho did, and dunked themselves in the cool Gulf of Mexico waters.

Tinker Juarez (Cannondale) who finished 9th today said, “I am really pleased with my result. I’m proud of the way I rode, and it really marks a resurgence for my legs. I’ve not felt good at all for the past few months since RAAM.”

Canadian Marg Fedyna (BungalowBoys.com) made it three stage wins in a row making her weekend an impressive three-peat. The exuberant Albertan was pleased as punch to win, and to be here. “Today was almost a recovery day at first, but my legs came around at the end. It’s an amazing race,” Fedyna said. “Awesome scenery and incredible terrain. I want to come back here next year for sure!”

Indeed, there were many tired faces this morning that didn’t look too forward to today’s stage, but at the finish line, after a few beverages and refueling, it was obvious that all riders were incredibly pleased with the event.

“We hope next year a local can do what the foreigners can do. I feel that the local’s performance was really good, especially Ramirez and Amador,” La Ruta’s PR officer, Luis Rueda Fonseca, concluded. “The level has gone way up this year, and I think it will keep going up.”

Results (brief)

Men’s Open

1. Andrei Amador (BCR – Pizza Hut) 4:32:04
2. Marizio Deho (Olympia) 3:28
3. Federico Ramirez (BCR – Pizza Hut) 3:28
4. Leonardo Hector Paez (Full Dynamix) 3:37
5. Deiver Benivedes Esquivel (IBP) 6:50
6. Thomas Frischknecht (SwissPower) 23:45
7. Adam Craig (Giant) 27:21
8. Eddy Perez (Costa Rica) Dos Pinos 27:38
9. David “Tinker” Juarez (Cannondale) 30:59
10. Jonathan Carballo (IBP) 33:48

14. Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 46:21

Women

1 Marg Fedyna (Can) bungalowboys.com 5.57.34
2 Hilary Harrison (USA) Kenda-Giant 21.53
3 Louis Kobin (USA) XFusion 26.16
4 Rebecca Rusch (USA) Specialized-Red Bull 42.11
5 Marla Streb (USA) Luna-Red Bull 1.00.19

Final GC

Open Men
1 Leonardo Hector Paez (Col) Full Dynami 14.01.52
2 Andrei Amador (CRC) BCR-Pizza Hut 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 (USA) Cannondale 1.21.21
7 Adam Craig (USA) Giant USA 1.43.00
8 Eddy Perez (CRC) Dos Pinos 1.44.03
9 Marvin Campos (CRC) IBP 1.51.47
10 Thomas Frischknecht (Sui) Swisspower-Scott 2.04.32

18. Andreas Hestler (Rocky Mountain-Business Objects) 46:213:26:12

Women
1 Marg Fedyna (Can) bungalowboys.com 19.11.15
2 Louis Kobin (USA) XFusion 1.12.08
3 Hilary Harrison (USA) Kenda-Giant 1.27.52
4 Rebecca Rusch (USA) Specialized-Red Bull 2.21.29
5 Cristine de Mezerville Ferrero (CRC) Battery 3.58.10