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COSTA RICA |
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La
Ruta de los Conquistadores: 2nd Stage
Stage Two: San Jose - Terramall - One of La
Ruta's strongest ascents was ridden nearly
one and a half kilometers after the start of
the stage two, a wall that took riders from
800 meters up to 1,400 meters above sea
level within eight kilometers.
Top racers showed their world-class level by
making the first ascent seem like a ride in
the park although several elite riders paid
the price of a rapid pace and a grueling
push to the top. Such was the case of Ben
Sonntag, when at a mere 100 meters from
reaching the top of the mountain, his chain
sunk within the depths of his rear cassette.
Paolo Montoya (Team Giant Italia), who was
near the scene as a spectator (due to recent
injury), mentioned that Sonntag was in a
top-five position when the chain got jammed
in the cassette. He lost over 20 minutes and
got passed by more than half an entire
participant list, yet he managed to make it
back up into 10th position.
Costa Rica's Deiber Esquivel put in another
amazing comeback from a previous hardware
malfunction. After finishing in 13th on
stage 1, Esquivel won stage 2, 30 seconds in
front of Manuel Prado, who held onto first
place in the overall standings.
Deiber is the only elite racer from team
Economy-Citi-Blue. The Costa Rican Cycling
Federation threatened disqualification for
elite local riders who participated in La
Ruta. La Ruta was considered too far toward
the adventure racing side of the fence for
the UCI's regulations three years ago. The
disqualifications were threatened after the
Costa Rican federation claimed La Ruta must
pay honoraries and percentages.
Both Esquivel and Prado are riders who would
be subject to sanctions yet have clearly
stated that their main goal throughout the
season has been to prepare for La Ruta and
are willing to face penalties to represent
their country and teams.
Monavie-Cannondale's Tinker Juarez was not
able to finish the stage when finding
himself lost on an abandoned road for over
an hour. His misfortune continued with a
flat tire that forced him to accept a car
ride from where he was located.
"It's truly unfortunate, but these things
happen," said Juarez, who will continue
racing, but be unranked. Juarez was seen
after the stage with his signature smile on
his face, available as always for a
photograph with his loyal fans.
Stage 3 awaits one of the toughest stages of
the race, the climb to the Irazú and
Turrialba volcanoes. The course will take
racers to a height of 3,400 meters above sea
level.
For complete results of all categories plus
photos, visit
Cyclingnews.com. |
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