November 15, 2008 (Playa Bonita of Limón, Costa Rica) – Federico Ramirez (BCR-Pizza Hut) is the king of the Conquistadores winning his fifth La Ruta today. “This is definitely my favorite race. That’s my main motivation,” said the Costa Rican rider after finishing the 2008 La Ruta de los Conquistadores on Saturday in Limón, the Caribbean province on Costa Rica’s east coast.

“Lico” was answering media at a press conference held only a few moments after he crossed the finish line of the last stage from Aquiares to Playa Bonita. Ramirez placed second today as his archrival Paolo Montoya (Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital) won the final sprint. However, Ramirez claimed first place in the GC winning his fifth La Ruta trophy in six appearances. Nobody has won that many at this event”¦ he’s the King Conquistador.

The overall time of the winner was 17:52:32, about 30 minutes faster than last year. “The weather helped a lot! Last year was the hardest La Ruta I’ve won. This time, after the toughest Day 1 ever, we managed to control the other three stages, however it was much more comfortable,” he explained.

Montoya had to accept second place for the second time in a row, at 13:46, and on both occasions he followed Ramirez. “I would like to congratulate “˜Lico’ he had a terrific race, he’s teammate Alexander (Sánchez) really helped him too so it was a great team job,” said Paolo.

Once again the “pizza” boys worked together and left almost every one behind at the very beginning of the final stage. Only Montoya was able to follow their pace on the first climb and along the flattest kilometers of the race. This group of three stayed together for the merciless train-tracks that define this stage until the finish at Playa Bonita.

Third place in the General Classification went to Enrique Artavia (Súper Pro-Economy Rent a Car) at 1:08:41 behind the champion. France’s Thomas Dietsch (Gewiss-Bianchi) placed fourth after making the podium (3rd) at last year’s Conquistadores.

Fifth went to Costa Rican (though USA-based) Manuel Prado (Sho Air-Rock and Road Cyclery). Prado’s career of four years has been directly related to this race. He was “thirty something” at his first La Ruta, in 2005. This year he climbed up to the podium in what should be considered definitely his highlight.

Other top contenders at the unofficial “non-local rank” were Spanish Roberto Heras (Giant Spain) in 7th place, 9th for Radoslav Sibl (Bikezone.cz) from Czech Republic, 10th for USA’s Harlan Price (Independent Fabricant), 11th for his countrymen Thomas Turner (Van Michael Salon), 12th for Canadian Cory Wallace (Freewheel Cycle), and 13th for fellow Canuck Bryan Cooke (Bicycle Cafe).

Women, Master and Veterans
In the women’s race, for the first time in ten years, a Costa Rican racer won the toughest race of the year. Adriana Rojas (Bemosa-PQ) took the victory with a time of 24:56:40. Second place went to Canada’s Sandra Walter (Pedal Magazine) who won the final stage, while American Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (Pedalpowercoaching.com) finished third overall.

Citi-Liteespeed’s Santos Corea also added one title to the local Costa Rican inventory at the 2008 event winning the Master A category.

Canadian Mike Charuk (Team Whistler) succeeded in defending his Master B crown, while Norwegian Kristian Silseth (Centra Junglemen) finally beat local legend Roberto Ballestero (KHS) in their battle for the Veterans trophy.

The 2008 La Ruta de los Conquistadores is now history and now it’s time to look ahead at what’s coming next – the 2009 edition. Registration is already open for a new La Ruta which will introduce a new 5-day format with lots of changes in logistics and services such as lodging, catering and protocol. Stay tuned for more from La Ruta de los Conquistadores!!!

Stage 4 full results pdf here.
Final GC pdf here.

Results

1. Paolo Montoya (Crc) Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital 4:42:42
2. Federico Ramírez (Crc) BCR-Pizza Hut
3. Alexander Sánchez (Crc) BCR-Pizza Hut 0:03
4. Radoslav Sibl (Cze) Bikezone.cz 4:33
5. Harlan Price (USA) Independent Fabricant 4:34
6. Marvin Campos (Crc) Súper Pro-Economy Rent a Car 9:26
7. Manuel Prado (Crc) Sho Air-Rock and Road Cyclery 9:27
8. Roberto Heras (Esp) Giant España 9:27
9. Thomas Turner (USA) Van Michael Salon 9:27
10. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss-Bianchi 9:28
11. Enrique Artavia (Crc) Súper Pro-Economy Rent a Car 9:29
12. Cory Wallace (Can) Freewheel Cycle 18:33

Open Women

1. Sandra Walter (Can) Pedal Magazine
2. Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (USA) Pedalpowercoaching.com
3. Adriana Rojas Cubero (Crc) Bemosa/PQ
4. Lisa Player (Aut)
5. Tamara Goeppel (Can) Lekki Bikextreme

10. Cathy Zeglinski (Can) Northlands Medical

Final GC

Open Men

1. Federico Ramírez (Crc) BCR-Pizza Hut 17:52:32
2. Paolo Montoya (Crc) Economy Rent a Car-Seven Capital a 13:46
3. Enrique Artavia (Crc) Súper Pro-Economy Rent a Car a 1:08:41
4. Thomas Dietsch (Fra) Gewiss-Bianchi 1:09:48
5. Manuel Prado (Crc) Sho Air-Rock and Road Cyclery 1:13:40
6. Alexander Sánchez (Crc) BCR-Pizza Hut 1:22:35
7. Roberto Heras (Esp) Giant Spain 1:23:08
8. Marvin Campos (Crc) Súper Pro-Economy Rent Car 1:40:33
9. Radoslav Sibl (CZE) Bikezone.cz 2:05:11
10. Harlan Price (USA) Independent Fabricant 2:16:51

Open Women

1. Adriana Rojas (Crc) Bemosa –PQ 24:56:40
2. Sandra Walter (Can) Pedal Magazine 1:05:09
3. Sara Bresnick-Zocchi (USA) Pedallpowercoaching.com 1:28:53

Master A

1. Santos Corea (Crc) Aval-Litespeed 20:56:39
2. Luis Chaverri (Crc) Guanaride 1:05:30
3. Sam Humphrey (Gbr) Charge Bikes 1:06:10

Master B

1. Mike Charuk (Can) Team Whistler-Ryders 21:53:44
2. Melvin Rojas (Crc) Citibank-Litespeed 21:23
3. Andrew Handford (Can) Different Bikes 43:03

Veterans

1. Kristian Silseth (Nor) Centra Junglemen 23:54:55
2. Roberto Ballestero (Crc) KHS Bikes 7:28
3. Tony Routley (Can) Team Whistler-Ryder 16:54