November 12, 2008 (Santa Ana, Costa Rica) — Defending champion Costa Rican Federico Ramírez (BCR-Pizza Hut), aiming for his 5th victory won the first stage of la Ruta de los Conquistadores 2008, with a time of 5:54:40, ahead of Paolo Montoya (Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital) by more than 10 minutes.

The ticos dominated today’s stage with third and fourth spots going to Enrique Artavia (Super Pro-Economy Rent a Car) and Manuel Prado (Sho Air).

Spain’s Roberto Heras (Giant Spain), 3-time winner of La Vuelta a España, placed fifth, while France’s Thomas Dietsch (Gewsiss-Bianchi) finished in sixth position.

Today’s stage started at 5am in front of the Best Western resort at Jacó Beach and ended at the Quintas del Sol complex, in Santa Ana, near the capital city of San José.

The race”¦
A group composed by six racers, Ramírez, Montoya, Artavia, Prado, Heras and Dietsch managed to stay together after the Carara traverse. However, Federico attacked just after passing checkpoint three leaving the rest of the package behind. He speeded up at the paved climb and no other racer could keep the defending champion’s pace.

Ramírez is definitely doing his best to win his fifth Conquistadores.

Federico Ramírez: “I felt strong so I decided to attack at the beginning of the big paved climb. Carara was really hard this year and we had to hike a lot with the bike over our shoulders. Thank God I managed to keep my advantage over Paolo. I think this gap will allow us to control tomorrow’s stage.”

Paolo Montoya: “I think we stayed together as a group for the first half of the stage, however, after the attacks there were only three of us and then only me and “Lico”. He attacked at the right moment. I guess this wasn’t a very good day for me”

Roberto Heras: “I didn’t know what was I facing! Carara is for sure the hardest thing I’ve ever done. Now that I know what is coming, I’ll try to do my best and improve my decisions.”

Thomas Dietsch: “I managed to have a good level during the first half of the race. However I got dehydrated when we were on the paved climb and finished the stage totally flat.”

Other categories”¦

It seems like this will be the local’s year at La Ruta. Adriana Rojas, currently the best Costa Rican female rider, won this first stage with a time of 8:13:28. It could mean that a tica might win La Ruta after 10 years. The last local rider to win this category was Kathy Oquendo in 1998. Rojas was third in 2004.

The Ticos also won two other leader’s jersies today. Santos Corea now commands the Master A division, while Roberto Ballestero leads the Veterans category.

Canadian Mike Charuk is the only exception. The Whistler racer won the Master B opening stage at the 2008 event – Charuk is defending his 2007 crown.

Results

Open Men

1. Federico Ramírez (Crc) BCR-Pizza Hut 5:54:40
2. Paolo Montoya (Crc) Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital 10:14
3. Enrique Artavia ((Crc) Súper Pro-Economy Rent a Car 23:27
4. Manuel Prado (Crc) Sho Air-Rock and Road Cyclery 25:18
5. Roberto Heras (Esp) Giant España 25:21
6. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss-Bianchi 28:19
7. Alexander Sánchez Calderon (Crc) Bcr-Pizza Hut 33:36
8. Radoslav Sibl (Cze) Bikezone.Cz/Mrx 35:38
9. Marvin Campos Suazo (Crc) Super Pro-Economy 42:54
10. Dennis Porras Murillo (Crc) Super Pro-Economy 43:28

12. Brian Cooke (Can) Bicyclecafe 53:25
17. Cory Wallace (Can) Freewheel Cycle 1:06:28

Open Women

1. Adriana Rojas (Crc) Bemosa–PQ 8:13:28
2. Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (USA) Pedalpowercoaching.com 26:10
3. Tamara Goeppel (Can) Leki Bikextreme 45:26
4. Sandra Walter (Can) Pedal Magazine 53:22

Master A

1. Santos Corea (Crc) Aval-Litespeed 6:55:24
2. Pere Sánchez (Esp) CC Bicis Esteve 16:32
3. José Beltrán (Mex) Turbo 18:55
17. Craig Fabische (Can) Overtime Sports Coquitlam 1:36:38
25. Craig Stappler (Can) 2:04:19

Master B

1. Mike Charuk (Can) Team Whistler-Ryders 7:06:17
2. Andrew Handford (Can) Different Bikes 22:18
3. Meter Stevenson (Can) Experience Cycling 27:40
4. Jan Kopka (Cze) Independant 30:35
5. Doug Andrews (USA) Gpsupload.com / Geo 32:47

15. Pat Doyle (Can) Deadgoat Racing/Bow 1:27:51

Veterans

1. Roberto Ballestero (Crc) KHS Bikes 7:51:30
2. Tony Routley (Can) Team Whistler/Ryders 10:31
3. Raymond Lavoie (Can) La Vie Sportive 58:39