November 15, 2007 (Terramall, Costa Rica) – Costa Rican Federico Ramírez (BCR-Pizza Hut) and American Susan Haywood (Volkswagen-Trek) won today’s Stage 2 at La Ruta de los Conquistadores and confirmed that they’re the top contenders to win this year’s 15th Anniversary event.

This unprecedented stage represented the opportunity for the two riders to prove why they are leading the General Classification in the Open Men and Women categories, as their rivals begin to accept their domination.

In the men’s division, the “ticos” not only made the top-three of the day, but also put more pressure on the foreigners on the top-10 list. Federico’s teammate Juan Solís and Macosta-Lee Cougan’s Paolo Montoya followed the winner in second and third respectively, as Canadian Max Plaxton (Rocky Mountain/Haywood) finished fourth after completing the 75.2km course, which began at the El Rodeo State and finished in front of the Terramall Shopping Center.

“Today’s stage was really hard. More like the Trans Alp or TransRockies style because of the technically demanding course. I already knew 80% of the route, but the last part was new for me and it certainly was the toughest climb. I had to hike for about 30 minutes and only managed to get on the bike again a few meters before crossing the finish,” said Ramírez.

In the overall standings, Ramírez marches on in first place with two more days of competition and therefore didn’t make any predictions. His time in the GC is 9:02:36 while Paolo Montoya is 12:08 behind in second place.

“You know how cycling is. I have respect for all my rivals and that’s why we have to wait until the end to see if I am capable of winning or not,” he commented.

“We were supposed to attack earlier, but decided to wait until the right moment because Solis (teammate) had a few mechanicals. I chose the paved ascent from San Ignacio to Copalchi because it was the section I knew the best and could dial myself into my inner road racer to speed up the climbing”.

French pro Thomas Dietsch managed to finish 6th today and was able to hold onto third position at 27:42 minutes behind from the “pizza” guy, though it looks this will end up being a competition between two local riders.

Women’s Race
As for the women’s race, Haywood seems to be the strongest woman, having won 50% of the race so far and looks like she’s in good shape to strike over the next days to hold on to the leader’s jersey.

Today’s time for Haywood was 5:06:39, and she has kept the lead for one more day with an accumulated GC time of 12:01:04. In second place is former La Ruta winner Louise Kobin (USA) Sho-Air at 25:40 minutes.

Tomorrow’s Stage 3 will be exactly like this year’s second day. It begins at Terramall and heads up Irazú Volcano and then will retrace the same grueling gravel-full downhill from Turrialba Volcano. The finish will be located in front of a beautiful Catholic Church of the Aquiares Coffee State in Turrialba. Total distance will be 67km and the highest point of the course – and of the whole race – will be at Check Point three (3,010 meters high).

For Stage 2 full results click here.

For GC after Stage 2 click here.

Results (brief)

Open Men

1. Federico Ramirez Mendez (CRC) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS 3.50.00
2. Juan Alberto Solis Rodas (CRC) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS 4.17
3. Paolo Montoya Cantillo (CRC) Macosta Lee Cougan Santa Ana BCT 4.43
4. Max Plaxton (Can) Rocky Mountain-Haywood 4.48
5. Enrique Artavia Cedeira (CRC) Super Pro Banco BCT Santa Ana 13.59
6. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss Bianchi 14.00
7. Sandro Spaeth (Swi) Ride Magazine – Texner BMC 15.03
8. David “Tinker” Juarez (USA) Cannondale 15.22
9. Deiber Esquivel Benavides (CRC) IBP Pensiones 25.22
10. Manuel Prado (CRC) Sho Air / La Ruta 27.04

Women

1. Sue Haywood (USA) Trek-VW 5.06.39
2. Louise Kobin (USA) Sho Air-Rock and Road 9.36
3. Maria Carvajal Brenes (CRCRCc) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS 34.48

Master A Men

1. Will Valverde (CRC) Vedova y Obando 4.31.45
2. Thomas Spannring (Aut) Monavie-Cannondale 6.18
3. William Vargas (CRC) Scott 9.35

Master B Men

1. Fernando Salazar (CRC) Nitidos 5.03.46
2. Stewart Stafford (USA) Austin Flyers-BSS 0.52
3. Mike Charuk (Can) Team Whistler 4.47

Veteran Men

1. Tony Routley (Can) Team Whistler 5.04.28
2. Sandy Mitchell (Can) Gerick Cycle 9.35


GC after stage 2

Open Men
1. Federico Ramirez Mendez (CRc) BCR-Pizza Hut-Powerade-KHS

Women
1. Sue Haywood (USA) Trek-VW

Master A Men
1. Will Valverde (CRC) Vedova y Obando

Master B Men
1. Mike Charuk (Can) Team Whistler

Veteran Men
1. Tony Routley (Can) Team Whistler