November 14, 2007 (El Rodeo, Costa Rica) – Local rider Federico Ramírez (BCR-Pizza Hut) won today’s first stage at La Ruta 2007 and is looking forward to capturing his third La Ruta trophy.

About two years had to pass before a local rider would win a stage once again at Costa Rica’s La Ruta de los Conquistadores MTB race. The last time was when Marvin Campos won stage two at the 2005 edition. But today, Federico “Lico” Ramírez tasted victory and is now a serious contender to win the 15th Anniversary edition.

Ramírez finished with a time of 5:12:36 completing the 97km Stage One. The race began at the Best Western Jacó Beach hotel in the Pacific zone of Costa Rica, and concluded at the El Rodeo horse-farm in the West-Central Valley.

Another Costa Rican rider, Paolo Montoya (Mancosta Lee Cougan) was second today at 7:25 behind Ramírez, while XCM World Cup Champion, Thomas Diestch (Gewiss-Bianchi), finished in third place with a time-gap of 13:44.

“I’m happy for myself and my sponsors. I know the courage and good condition of Paolo and Thomas, but I used my strategy to win today. I feel proud because I understand how important it is to have a local win again after so many years,” said Ramírez just before he put on the Economy Rent a Car yellow leader’s jersey.

That strategy made Dietsch fall behind just past the first climb at Bijagual Village. “They attacked several times and I couldn’t stay with them. This race is really hard, above all because of the weather conditions, the terrain, the mud and, of course, the good competitors,” Dietsch explained.

Ramírez has won La Ruta three times, in 1997, 1998 and 2002, so this could be his fourth crown – an important fact when you take into account that the past two editions were won by non-local riders: Switzerland’s Thomas Frischknecht (2005) and Colombia’s Leonardo Páez (2006).

Women’s Race

As for the women’s field, Trek-Volkswagen’s Susan Haywood managed to defeat Louise Kobin (Sho Air/Rock and Road), a three-time winner at La Ruta. Haywood’s time was 6:54:26, with “Lou” at 16:06 behind Haywood.

Other winners today were Canada’s Tony Routley, Team Whistler (Veterans), Doug Andrews pedaling for Geoladders.com (Master B) and William Valverde (Master A).

Tomorrow’s Stage 2 is the new addition to La Ruta as riders will head out from El Rodeo to Terramall, over the Southern hills of San José. The total stage length is 75.2km with an elevation of 3.634 meters.

“I think it will be the hardest stage of the event,” Ramírez added. “Nevertheless, I guess I have an advantage since I’ve been training there and know the course. There is a long paved section where you can establish some differences.”

Results (brief)

Open 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 7.25
3. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss Bianchi 13.44
4. Sandro Spaeth (Swi) Ride Magazine – Texner BMC 15.35
5. Deiber Esquivel Benavides (CRC) IBP Pensiones 27.28
6. Enrique Artavia Cedeira (CRC) Super Pro Banco BCT Santa Ana 29.20
7. David “Tinker” Juarez (USA) Cannondale 30.25
8. Thomas Zahnd (Swi) Team Stoeckli-Craft 34.01
9. Juan Alberto Solis Rodas (CRC) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS 36.23
10. Kris Sneddon (Can) Kona 38.58
11. Jason Sager (USA) MonaVie-Cannondale 40.36

Masters A

1. Will Barquero Valverde (CRC) Vedova Y Obando 6:13:35
2. Benjamin Thompson (USA) Bendelitemtb.com 0:04:33
3. Jose Bernal Beltran (Mex) Turbo 0:12:14
4. Warren Ellis (Can) NRG/Eagle Homes 0:15:32
5. Edgar Madrigal Zumbado (CRC) Bike Station/Gary 0:16:40

Masters B

1. Doug Andrews (USA) 6:30:16
2. Mike Charuk (Can) Team Whistler 12:57

Veteran

1. Tony Routley (Can) 6:31:12
2. Sandy Mitchell (Can) Gerick Cycle 18:12
3. Dennis Mizerski (Can) Mattamy Homes/Aquila 1:57:46

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

Full Results – 432 official finishers for Stage 1 here.