November 14, 2008 (Aquiares of Turrialba, Costa Rica) – Federico Ramírez (BCR-Pizza Hut) confirmed he’s the big favorite to win this year’s La Ruta de los Conquistadores to claim his fifth title and second consecutive victory. “Lico” completed the 67km Stage Three, between the Terramall Shopping Center in Tres Ríos and the Aquiares Coffee Village in Turrialba, with a time of 3:20:23. His closest rival, Paolo Montoya (Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital), couldn’t repeat his amazing performance on Stage 2 and finished second at 6:18 behind Ramírez.

This stage win practically seals the overall victory for Ramírez as he has a comfortable 13:09 advantage over Montoya with just one stage left. “I want to thank my teammate Alexander Sánchez who did a terrific job today. This is the kind of work that you are always expecting from a partner and friend,” commented Ramirez.

The strategy of their team manager, Albin Brenes, worked perfectly. Sánchez attacked at the very beginning of the stage on the first climb. That move forced the race selection and reduced the lead pack to three – Sánchez, Ramírez and Montoya.

France’s Thomas Dietsch (Gewiss-Bianchi) and Spain’s Roberto Heras (Giant Spain) were battling for fourth to sixth spots against Enrique Artavia (Súper Pro Bikes-Economy Rent a Car) in a group behind.

At the front, Sánchez understood that his mission was accomplished and established a pace to allow “Lico” with the lead. Ramírez established a 200-meter gap over Montoya, just before reaching to main climb of the day on the paved road that heads up to the Irazú Volcano.

Today’s stage benefited Ramírez who knows the terrain as he lives on the slopes of Irazú. The Stage Three climb is actually his favourite of the whole race. “Yeah, I feel like home up there. People cheer on me when they see me training and competing and the fresh temperature of the mountains always feels good,” added Ramírez.

Lico arrive at checkpoint three with a comfortable 4-min. lead over Montoya and managed to increase the gap on the corridor that connects Irazú and the Turrialba volcano.

“We thought Paolo would gain some time on the downhill from the volcano into Aquiares as he did yesterday. Nevertheless I descended really fast and actually increased my lead. But that wasn’t the plan – I was supposed to take care of myself and my bike, but the weather helped us out and the downhill was pretty dry and rideable,” Ramírez explained.

Friday’s victory reasserts the race leader and his team’s confidence. “Tomorrow’s stage will be more control tactics. It’s the flattest but also the longest of the race, so I think Alexander and I will be able to respond to any of Paolo’s attacks.”

Women and Master’s
Adriana Rojas (Bemosa-PQ) also won again and is now just one stage away from celebrating the only title she hasn’t won on Costa Rica’s MTB Calendar. Though she was forced to fight for the stage, Rojas managed to chase down Austrian rider, Lisa Pleyer, who lead the stage during the climbing section. Rojas’ time today was 5:04:51, while Pleyer finished second at 8:46 behind.

Rojas leads the general classification with a time of 18:45:50. Canada’s Sandra Walter (Pedal Magazine) holds on to second place overall at 1:14:42 behind.

In the Master’s and Veteran categories there were no changes following today’s results. Costa Rican racers Santos Corea (Citi-Litespeed) and Roberto Ballestero (KSH Bikes) are still in their leader’s jersies in the Master A and Veteran divisions, while Canada’s Mike Charuk continues to lead in Master B Men’s race.

All riders will meet their destiny tomorrow. The final stage at La Ruta will decide if they go back home with a victory. The longest course of the race 125km will start at 7am in the heart of Aquiares Village and finishes at the traditional venue, Reina’s Complex, in Playa Bonita, beside the Caribbean Sea.

Stage 3 full results pdf here.
GC after Stage 3 pdf here.

Results

Open Women
1. Adriana Rojas Cubero (Crc) Bemosa / Pq 5:04:51
2. Lisa Pleyer (Aut) 8:46
3. Sandra Walter (Can) Pedal Magazine

Open Men
1. Federico Ramírez (Crc) BCR-Pizza Hut 3:20:23
2. Paolo Montoya (Crc) Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital 6:18
3. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss-Bianchi 27:05
4. Manuel Prado (Crc) Sho Air-Rock and Road Cyclery 27:52
5. Enrique Artavia (Crc) Súper Pro-Economy Rent a Car 32:36
6. Alexander Sánchez (Crc) BCR-Pizza Hut 36:13
7. Cory Wallace (Can) Freewheel Cycle 40:14
8. Harlan Price (USA) Independent Fabricant 40:47
9. Marvin Campos (Crc) Súper Pro-Economy Rent a Car 43:15
10. Roberto Heras (Esp) Giant España 43:17

GC after Stage 3

Open Women

1. Adriana Rojas Cubero (Crc) Bemosa / Pq 18:45:50
2. Sandra Walter (Can) Pedal Magazine 1:14:41
3. Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (USA) Pedalpowercoaching: 1:28:58
4. Tamara Goeppel (Can) Leki Bikextreme 1:46:46
5. Lisa Pleyer (Aut) 2:07:26
6. Janel Demeter (USA) Guy’s Racing 4:00:09
7. Natalia Alvarado Segura (Crc) Powerade 4:02:33
8. Klariza Araya Quesada (Crc) Na’lakalú 4:04:31
9. Abby Richmond (USA) Team Solar Eclipse 4:58:08
10. Cathy Zeglinski (Can) Northlands Medical 5:36:59
11. Melissa Pace (Can) Bc Bike Race 6:19:52
12. Jeannie Batán Solera (Crc) 6:26:06
13. Lisa Cramton (USA) The Alpineer 6:32:42
14. Gloriana Arce Clachar (Crc) Alpina 7:58:38
15. Yolanda Saro De Ferrara (Mex) Trainer 10:01:52

Open Men

1. Federico Ramírez Méndez (Crc) Bcr-Pizza Hut 13:09:51
2. Paolo Montoya Cantillo (Crc) Economy Rent A Car – 13:45
3. Enrique Artavia Cede̱o (Crc) Super Pro РEconomy 59:11:00
4. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss-Bianchi 1:00:19
5. Manuel Prado (Crc) Sho-Air/Rock N’road 1:04:13
6. Roberto Heras Hernandez (Spa) 1:13:40
7. Alexander Sánchez Calderón (Crc) Bcr-Pizza Hut 1:22:31
8. Marvin Campos Suazo (Crc) Super Pro – Economy 1:31:07
9. Dennis Porras Murillo (Crc) Super Pro – Economy 1:49:26
10. Radoslav Sibl (Cze) Bikezone:Cz/Mrx 2:00:37
11. Cory Wallace (Can) Freewheel Cycle / Sp 2:06:25
12. Brian Cooke (Can) Bicyclecafe 2:11:03
13. Harlan Price (USA) Independent Fabricat 2:12:17
14. Thomas Turner (USA) Van Michael Salon / 2:13:30
15. Milton Ramos Gamez (Spa) Biciaccion:Com 2:16:24
16. Daniel Abellán Ossenbach (Crc) 2:25:15
17. Diego Rogel Gonzalez Leonardo (Mex) Alubike 2:34:27
18. Diego Leiva Araya (Crc) Turrialbeño Independ 2:55:31
19. Jimenez Sequeira Juan (Crc) Fiesta Total 3:02:16
20. Luis Sibaja Monge (Crc) Ciclo Gully – Powera 3:05:45
21. Frederick Dreier (USA) Velo News Magazine 3:33:55
22. Dain Zaffke (USA) Bike Magazine/Wtb 3:54:42
23. Emilio Brenes Jimenez (Crc) Xerox 3:55:25
24. Jhonny Madrigal Zumbado (Crc) Xerox 4:00:59
25. Javier Lerma (Mex) Sinaloa Bikes 4:26:51
26. Alberto Valverde Sánchez (Crc) 3 Erres – 2Nners 4:45:01
27. Arjan Planting (Hol) Team Bikelane Hollan 4:56:24
28. Fabricio Loaiza Granados (Lit) Hospira Cr 5:12:55
29. Miguel Rojas Arguello (Crc) Cisa Seguridad 5:47:20
30. Kuypers Leon (Hol) Akkermans 5:50:47
31. Arnoldo Loaiza Duran (Crc) Puro Mtb: Com 5:56:56
32. Carlos Salazar Solórzano (Crc) Rios Tropicales-Mawa 6:02:40
33. Miguel Chacon Araya Jose (Crc) Www:Avventa:Com 6:03:15
34. Mraz Lukas (Cze) X-Sports 6:21:09
35. Greivin Ortiz Umaña (Crc) Salva Bicicletas Y A 6:41:02
36. Erik Bakke (USA) Deadgoat Racing 6:48:01
37. Sergi Bernet Bacardit (Spa) Pc Cervera 7:08:19
38. Erick Rodriguez Solis (Crc) Rojas Y Rojas Constr 7:26:22
39. Andres De La Vega Gomez (Crc) Elibyke 7:30:37
40. César Alcázar Méndez (Crc) Superficies De Centr 7:47:30
41. Francisco Oviedo Rojas (Crc) 7:52:02
42. René Quesada Morales (Crc) Asocaci 7:53:21
43. Alejandro Nietzen Herrera (Crc) Arenatrek Gym 7:54:23
44. Raul Quintanilla (Crc) Retodelosvolcanes:Co 8:04:14
45. Alberto Gamboa Pacheco (Crc) Caribbean Bikers/Sev 8:29:58
46. Esteban Bejarano Bazo (Crc) Bemosa / Pq 9:09:11

Master A

1. Santos Corea Gutierrez (Crc) Citi – Litespeed 15:42:34
2. Angel Beltran Bernal Jose (Mex) Turbo 32:53:00
3. Diego Chaverri Madden Luis (Crc) Guanaride 45:48:00
4. Sam Humphrey (Gbr) Charge Bikes 52:52:00
5. Randall Aguilar Quesada (Crc) Taller Rj Paraiso 1:05:27
6. Javier Ruiz Arias (Crc) Xerox 1:17:33
7. Pere Sanchez Mula (Spa) C:C: Bicis Esteve 1:18:19
8. William Valverde Barquero (Crc) Vedova Y Obando / Hu 1:21:11
9. Patrick Mosler (Ger) Rhoenraketen Fulda G 1:41:22
10. Paulo Valle (Crc) Bicycle Cafe-Kona 1:44:54
11. Pascal Mueller (Sui) Hammermann Racing 2:07:36
12. John Warnock (Gbr) Www:Performancecycle 2:36:26
13. Dax Jaikel (Crc) Seven Capital Ltd: – 3:00:51
14. Craig Stappler (Can) 3:07:04
15. Daniel Perez (USA) Jensonusa/First Endu 3:12:58
16. Craig Fabische ( Ba) Overtime Sports Coqu 3:20:12
17. Jose Herrera Herrera ( Lt) Hospira Cr 3:23:44
18. Fermín Torres Torres (Mex) Diamond Adventure 3:36:08
19. Fernando Mora Hidalgo Luis (Crc) 3:57:10
20. Eduardo Rodriguez Alvarado (Crc) Hotel Cortezazul 3:58:42
21. Alonso Araya Pereira Victor (Crc) Xerox 4:19:16
22. Ismael Peraza Chvarria (Crc) Nica Express / Muscl 4:19:52
23. Bryan Liles (USA) Villagebike:Com 4:28:29
24. Paulo Martins (Prt) Trilhos Da Maria/Ss 4:31:37
25. Marco Chinchilla Vaglio (Crc) Mani La Guaria 4:44:39
26. Ronald Jimenez Rodriguez (Crc) Caida Libre 4:52:17
27. Fabricio Meneses Madriz (Crc) Ampm 4:53:06
28. Manuel García Dobles Carlos (Crc) Pik2 Mountain Bike T 4:59:16
29. Erick Matamoros (Crc) Agromec – Komatsu – 5:00:14
30. Jairo Garita Hernandez (Crc) Nitidos – Khs 5:14:18
31. Milton Fallas Barboza (Crc) Xerox 5:19:10
32. Matthew Barton (Gbr) North Hampshire Road 5:19:12
33. Walter Astua Ulloa (Crc) Gpi Consultores 5:34:08
34. Andreu Sanchez Perez (Spa) C:C: Pla De L’estany 5:35:10
35. Roy Soto (Crc) Tortugas Mtb Team 5:47:47
36. Manuel Vizcaino Hernandez (Spa) Pc Cervera 5:48:41
37. Christopher Lang Arce (Crc) Thunderson Brothers- 5:56:02
38. Eric Mellegers (USA) Fox Racing Shox 6:11:18
39. Jason Sandquist (Can) Frontrunners / Exper 6:16:59
40. Maria López Morales José (Crc) Puro Mtb 6:23:35
41. Guillermo Gómez Sequeira (Crc) Atm Comercial S:A: R 6:23:46
42. Gustavo Manzur Orozco (Crc) Atm Comercial S:A: R
43. Alexander Torres Solano (Crc) Cafetalera Aquiares 6:30:13
44. Alejandro Muniz (USA) Economy Rent A Car 6:30:23
45. Javier Perez Gonzales (Spa) 6:30:29
46. Aramis Chinchilla Luna (Crc) El Colono – Scp Atel 6:40:48

Master B

1. Mike Charuk (Can) Team Whistler/Ryders 16:23:45
2. Melvin Rojas Alfaro (Crc) Citi – Litespeed 29:42:00
3. Andrew Handford (Can) Different Bikes 35:56:00
4. Jan Kopka (Cze) Toi Toi Czech R: 50:49:00
5. Peter Stevenson (Can) Experience Cycling 52:41:00
6. Doug Andrews (USA) Gpsupload:Com / Geol 1:05:56
7. Alec Petro (USA) Team Psycho 1:42:21
8. Luigi Lutterotti (Ita) Euroscaf Bikbike 1:59:18
9. Stabell Eriksen Christian (Nor) Centra Junglemen 2:05:48
10. Fernando Salazar (Crc) Ampm 2:15:16
11. Reed Melton (USA) Bc Bike Race 2:28:20
12. Matthew Luhn (USA) Gopher Gulch Dirt Al 2:30:14
13. Bruce Young Nearing (Crc) Coyotes De Escazu 2:42:05
14. Rafael Bosch Alsina (Spa) Arsenal-Autotequip 2:56:41
15. Mario Roma (Prt) Brasil Soul Mtb 3:15:52
16. Federico Amador León (Crc) Ampm 3:23:41
17. Stefano Maran (Ita) Bici Da Trodi 4:00:36
18. Alvaro Lang (Crc) Crn2 4:08:02
19. Berthold Schwarz (Ger) Quick & Dirty 4:08:13
20. Thomas Tetz (Ger) Leki Bikextreme 4:08:59
21. Claude Laberge (Can) Team Marty’s 4:16:40
22. Steve Walsh (Can) Zimtek/Schmoe Racing 4:30:36
23. Dan Mccarthy (USA) 4:30:44
24. Nelson Franquiz (USA) Ciclo Mundo 4:32:27
25. Sergio Montagni (Ita) Euroscaf Bikbike 4:35:06
26. Eric Long (USA) 4:36:29
27. Paul Miers (USA) Reno Wheelmen 4:40:07
28. Pedro Vernis De Prats (Spa) Arsenal Santiveri 5:07:03
29. Dave Howells (Can) Bc Bike Race 5:10:56
30. Leonel Gómez Navarro (Crc) Super S-Gulf-Const: 5:15:43
31. Timothy Zimmerman (USA) Village Bike Shop 5:40:05
32. Bohuslav Babor (Cze) X-Sports 5:46:31
33. Edward Philip (USA) Team Psycho 6:01:45
34. Chris Jezek (USA) Clickfox 6:14:30
35. Rojas Brenes Arnaldo (Crc) Constructora Brenes 6:16:25
36. Eduardo Bertheau Oros (Crc) 6:17:59
37. Javier Gurdián Astúa (Crc) 6:52:18
38. Monte Hewett (USA) 6:53:11
39. Daniel Hausmann Spielmann (Spa) Arsenal Santiveri 6:55:37
40. Adolfo Echeverria Bonilla (Crc) Perro Loco Team 7:16:08
41. Ronald Fernández García (Crc) Asocaci 7:17:10
42. Mario Turgeon (Can) Lessard Bicycles 7:19:57
43. Gervais Levesque (Can) 7:38:52

Veterans

1. Roberto Ballesteros Villalobos (Crc) Khs Bicicletas 18:17:34
2. Tony Routley (Can) Team Whistler/Ryders 0:25
3. Kristian Silseth Ole (Nor) Centra Junglemen 1:26
4. Raymond Lavoie (Can) La Vie Sportive 1:30:51
5. Jean-Arthur Tremblay (Can) La Vie Sportive 1:42:50
6. Ricardo Vela Del Valle (Spa) Cc Santa Eulalia/ Bi 1:47:32
7. Walter Blanco (Crc) 3:02:52
8. Gonzalo Ceballos Cortes (Spa) Arsenal Santiveri 3:13:13
9. Javier Benet Fábregas (Spa) Arsenal Santiveri 3:18:44
10. Ricardo Mata Brenes (Crc) Comite Cantonal Depo 3:37:17
11. Charly Meier (Sui) Rrc Nordwest 3:53:03
12. Van Council (USA) Van Michael Salon 4:21:53
13. Jim Gibson (USA) Absolute Bikes 5:42:22
14. Jorge Solano Salas (Crc) Asocaci 5:48:20
15. Marvin Avila Vindas (Crc) Planet Gym 6:49:34
16. Mark Janisse (USA) 7:06:51
17. John Janisse (USA) 7:13:15
18. Alvaro Pinto (Crc) Disexport 7:46:24
19. Hugo Gómez Navarro (Crc) Super S-Gulf-Const: 8:04:43
20. Gerry Mccuaig (Can) Deadgoat Racing 8:05:58
21. Fernando Parrodi (Mex) Cadelga Costa Rica – 9:09:56
22. Albert Mitja Servise (Spa) Arsenal Santiveri 9:31:01