November 14, 2007 (El Rodeo, Costa Rica) – Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss Bianchi, the world’s number one UCI-ranked Marathon racer, stated, “there is no comparison, this race is in a league of it’s own”. He finished a very respectable third behind Costa Rican locals Frederico Ramirez (Team Pizza Hut) and Pablo Montoya (Macosta Lee Cougan Santa Ana BCT). The winning time of 5 hours and 15 minutes was an absolute feat of human endurance.

Jaco to El Rodeo 95km on the map – 99km on a bike computer

The race unfolded in a fairly predictable fashion as the early morning peloton crashed onto the first insanely steep hill 5km into the race – at 5:20 am. Like a wave striking the coast, bits of shrapnel were tossed far and wide. A group of eight would quickly establish a lead followed by a chase group of another 8-10 riders. All of the eventual podium finishers were present along with others who would fall victim to the “toughness” that characterizes La Ruta.

After the first climb the course dove into the jungle for the true La Ruta experience, ankle deep mud, steep, slippery hiking and a multitude of river crossings, some that reached all the way to the navel. The two main groups splintered into yet smaller groups of two’s and three’s. Max Plaxton (Can) Rocky Mountain/Haywoond was dangling in 4th, just behind the lead trio. Meanwhile back in a solid chase group Kris Sneddon (Can) Kona struggled with keeping fluids down and soldiered on.

The second major climb was an open road that careened for 12 kilometers up the side of a mountain – it was a cruel blow to throw in such a monster after 68km, but at this point, life and La Ruta are synonymous with hardship and the unbelievable.

From the first massive climb to crossing the Carara Jungle the course had five major sections. Following the first two, a long section of gravel road (3) linked the jungle to the major climb (4), this was followed by a steep, fast descent and a final false flat rumble (5) up to the finish. For many this last minor climb, coming at the end, proved to be one final hurdle that nobody but a true Conquistador would be able to handle.

At 5 hours and 51 minutes Canada’s Sneddon finished 10th, while Plaxton who was running 4th for the majority of the race, also suffered stomach ailments and was forced slow down finally finishing in 23rd. It seemed to be a consistent theme of upset stomachs unable to absorb nutrients – was it the time of day or the heat?

Cramping was next on the list of ailments while overall those who hadn’t been here before were incredulous at the steepness of the hills, the depth of mud in the jungle, and the overall ferociousness of La Ruta.

Fellow Canuck, Tony Routley, from Team Whistler/Rocky Mountain Bicycles was obviously in fine form as he rode to victory in the veteran’s category, while team mate Mike Charuk finished second in the Master B category.

It should also be mentioned that Canada’s Warren Ellis (NRG / Eagle Homes) finished fourth today in the Master A category while Cory Wallace (Can) Team Jasper placed 17th in Open Men’s category and Jon Nutbrown (Ridley’s/Giant) and Cory Wallace (Team Jasper) had an excellent day as well and will hopefully improve on their initial performances over the next few days. Please check back for full results see how all the Canadians are doing.

Women’s Race
The women’s race lacking Canada’s former La Ruta winners, Marg Fedenya and Hillary Harrison, looked to be a two-up battle between Trek/VW’s Sue Haywood and Sho-Air’s Louise Korbin. But Samantha Phillips originally from Alberta now living in Holland, was on a comeback from injury and showed she is ready to be in the mix, though later Samantha would suffer a brutal crash in the jungle.

While the gap between Haywood and Korbin was a steady four minutes for the most part, into the final climb and gallop to the line, Sue would stretch her lead to about 15 minutes and Louise would suffer some minor mechanical issues. Canada’s Trish Grajczyk (Deadgoat RacingHaywood) had a great day finishing 4th while Haywood managed to finish with a very respectable sub-7 hour time commenting, “I thought it was going to be way longer, but man am I glad it wasn’t.”

As is the nature of stage racing this is one battle completed while the war rages on. Tomorrow’s course looks to be almost equally brutal and recovery is on everyone’s mind.

Ruta Notes
– The hills pitched to 25%
– The temperature was hot even at 5 am and though cloud cover saved us from the worst, the temperature climbed steadily to about 35 degrees.
– Average sleep last night was 4-5 hours, starting at 5 am is outrageously difficult
– Spirits are high, though attrition is taking it’s toll
– The race organizers are amazingly friendly and the race is well organized.
– The beach’s are amazing, go figure, truly an international destination.
– Each participant carries their own personal lube bottle and a slew of tubes and tools.

Full Results – 432 official finishers for Stage 1 here.

Results (partial)

Men

1. Federico Ramirez Mendez (CRC) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS 5:12:36
2. Paolo Montoya Cantillo (CRC) Macosta Lee Cougan Santa Ana BCT 7:26
3. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss Bianchi 13:44
4. Sandro Spaeth (Sui) Ride Magazine – Texner BMC 15:36
5. Deiber Esquivel Benavides (CRC) IBP Pensiones 27:28
6. Enrique Artavia Cedeira (CRC) Super Pro Banco BCT Santa Ana 29:21
7. David “Tinker” Juarez (USA) Cannondale 30:25
8. Thomas Zahnd (Sui) Team Stoeckli-Craft 34:02
9. Juan Alberto Solis Rodas (CRC) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS 36:24
10. Kris Sneddon (Can) Kona 38:59

11. Jason Sager (USA) MonaVie-Cannondale 40:37
15. Rom Kanga Akerson (USA) Rock Shox – Sram 50:16
16. Stream Akerson (USA) Heart Transverter 50:17
17. Cory Wallace (Can) Team Jasper 56:16
18. Bart Gillespie (USA) MonaVie-Cannondale 57:47
19. Jon Nutbrown (Can) Ridley’s -Giant 1:05:31
21. Benjamin Thompson (USA) bendelitemtb.com 1:05:32
22. Brandon Dwigth (USA) Boulder Cycle Sport 1:06:13
23. Chucky Gibson (USA) Tahitian Noni International 1:08:51
25. Max Plaxton (Can) Rocky Mountain – Haywood 1:12:11
28. Warren Ellis (Can) NRG / Eagle Homes 1:16:31
30. Doug Andrews (USA) 1:17:40
31. Tony Routley (Can) 1:18:36

Women

1. Susan Haywood (USA) Trek – VW 6:54:26
2. Louise Kobin (USA) Sho Air/Rock and Road 16:06
3. Maria Alejandra Carvajal Brenes (CRC) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS 38:26
4. Trish Grajczyk (Can) Deadgoat Racing 1:37:07