Hillary Harrison Comes in 3rd in Costa Rica's La Ruta

Playa Bonita, Costa Rica.- After an impressive performance throughout the three stages, Leonardo Paez (Full Dynamix) finished fourth this morning, taking away the overall first place at La Ruta de los Conquistadores, while Costa Rican Andrey Amador (BCR/Pizza Hut KHS) won today’s stage. At 20 years of age, he said it was an honor to debate the title with such a great athlete. “He is very humble and shy, but he does show what he is made of when taking over the pedals”, Amador said, referring to Páez. Paez just won the Pan American Mountain Bike title in Brazil three weeks ago, where he achieved a second place. Besides he owns the MX UCI’s World Cup; finished second at the MX World Championship and 5th at the XC World’s. “This has been a tough training year, for the World Cup, as well as other events. I did not particularly train for this one”. Nevertheless, when he was asked if this was the toughest race he’s competed in, he agreed with other competitors. “Yes, I agree. This is another important achievement. It’s definitively the hardest race I’ve been to, mainly the first stage”, Páez explained. During the race, it was clear Páez suffered an attack by the “tico” field, lead by Amador, his teammate Federico “Lico” Ramirez and former La Ruta winner Paolo Montoya. “I was quite aware of their tactic, but I tried to keep control of the situation, kept the pace, and just let them burn off ”, the Colombian biker commented after crossing the finish line.
Jeremiah Bishop, who was on second, had to retire from the race, after suffering a complicated accident, which left him with a nose and jaw fracture. Bishop is stable in a private San Jose hospital, where he is reported to be in stable condition and expected to return to the USA for his recovery. Past year’s champion, Thomas Frischknecht (Swisspower), finished 10th in the overall, after two difficult days at the beginning. Marg Fedyna. (bungalowboys.com) one of the best Canadians in adventure and endurance racesd, took away the possibility for a forth win from Luise Kobin (XFusion). Hillary Harrison (Kenda Tires Giant) won the third place. As for the age groups, Italian Andrea Bianco took away the leader’s jersey for the Master A. He’s Leonardo Paez coach by the way. In Master B, Swiss Daniel Soler (Bike 4 Fun) won the general standings while North American Jim Gibson (Absolute Bikes) triumphed at the Veterans category. From the 510 people who signed up for the 14th edition of La Ruta, it is expected that 350 racers will finish the three day event today. The organization has announced that next year, in celebration of La Ruta’s 15th Anniversary, an extra day will be added to the “toughest race on the planet”. Let’s see how it turn out in 2007.
Results - Stage 3
1- Andrey Amador (BCR-Pizza Hut-KHS) CRC 4:32:04
2-Marzio Deho (Olimpia) ITA 4:35:32
3-Federico Ramírez (BCR-Pizza Hut-KHS) CRC 4:35:32
4-Leonardo Paez Leon (Full Dynamix) COL 4:35:41
General Classification

Open

1-Leonardo Paez Leon (Full Dynamix) COL 14:01:52
2- Andrey Amador (BCR-Pizza Hut-KHS) CRC 14:26:33
3-Federico Ramírez (BCR-Pizza Hut-KHS) CRC 14:39:49
4-Deiber Esquivel (IBP) 15:19:35
5-Marzio Deho (Olimpia) 15:21:10
6-Tinker Juarez (Cannondale USA) USA 15:23:13
7- Adam Craig (Giant) USA 15:44:52
10- Thomas Frischknecht (Swisspower-Scott) SUI 16:06:24
13- Manuel Prado (Sho Air) CRC 16:56:44
15-Guimaraes Marinho Joao (N/A) POR 17:11:32
18- Andreas Hestler (Rockymountain) CAN 17:28:04
20- Harlan Price (Independent Fabrication) USA 17:44:46

Master A

1-Daniel Soler (Bike 4 Fun) SUI 16:45:41
2-William Vargas (Scott) CRC 17:03.37
3- Melvin Rojas (Litespeed-Ciclo Guilly-FOX) CRC 17:20:05

Master B

1-Andrea Bianco (Full Dynamix) ITA 18:30:13
2-Peter Stenico (Peto Bike Zams) AUT 18:36:27
3-David Fonseca (Bike Station) CRC 18:48:23

Fem.

1-Marg Fedyna (bungalowboys.com) CAN 19:11:15
2-Louise Kobin (XFusion) USA 20:23:23
3-Hillary Harrison (Kenda Tires Giant) USA 20:39:07

Vet.
1- Jim Gibson (Absolute Bikes) USA