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La Ruta de los Conquistadores: Frischy flats, Campo cruises
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After day one of La Ruta de los Conquistadores, Thomas Frischknecht (Swisspower) was up over six minutes. The next day, he was down by seven. But that's La Ruta for you.
After suffering three flats in the final run to the finish, Frischknecht finished fifth on stage two, while the stage winner, Marvin Campos of the powerful host Costa Rican squad IBP (an investment bank) avoided punctures and took both the stage win and the leader's jersey.
The stage profile was simple - climb for about 45km, up to 3010 meters, and then descend for 34km. Starting from the outskirts of San Jose, the course turned upwards almost immediately. Once clear of the city, riders turned onto progressively narrower, and muddier, trails. By the 10km mark a lead group had sorted itself out, containing Frischknecht, Campos, Jeremiah Bishop (Trek-VW), last year's La Ruta champion Paolo Cesar Montoya (Santa Ana), Eddy Perez (Bike Station) and Deiber Esquivel (IBP). Ten kilometers further and the route went to pavement for the rest of the climb.
Esquivel attacked and got more than a minute on Frischknecht, who was playing it cautious with the altitude. Over the top of the climb and into the descent, it all began to go bad for the marathon world champion.
"I flatted three times on the descent. It was really disgusting - big rocks, basically we were riding down a riverbed for 30km. I was told before 'no more than 5km of gravel, and then pavement.’ No way!
"With the one guy in front, I was confident I could hold onto the lead. But after two flats I was out of inner tubes and cartridges, I had to wait for a long time to get a pump, and after that be very careful the rest of the way down.
"I was hoping after yesterday I could control the race, but I had those problems. It is hard to be at the front, to attack if you don't know what to expect. I am learning about La Ruta that it is maybe impossible to win your first time. It's so far out there, you don't know what to expect."
Frischknecht wasn't the only rider to flat, merely the unluckiest. Esquivel also flatted, as did Bishop (whose spare was flat also). The one rider who did not flat was Campos, who crested the climb behind Esquivel and Frischknecht.
"I had some mechanical problems with my rear derailleur, but I was lucky and did not flat. The team support for me today was really strong, especially on the climb, " he said.
The result leaves Frischknecht 7:49 behind with one stage remaining - the longest at 126.4km. However, the last half of the race is basically flat as the race runs down to the Caribbean, so Campos' team should be able to control things.
"Seven minutes is a lot to get back, and they have six guys, so I don't think there is a lot of possibility." admitted Frischknecht.
Race notes
The leader in the women's category is Louise Kobin of San Jose, California, going for her third straight victory.
Dax Jaikel, who is missing his right leg from just above the knee on down thanks to a car accident, finished 113th overall last year, but had to abandon this year. A bolt broke on his prosthetic on the first stage, and while he started the second stage, he could not finish. Jaikel’s cycling prosthetic is of particular interest - a very slick carbon-fiber-and-titanium unit.
Heart Akerson in the Vet category is riding his eighth La Ruta. He always rides in just shorts – not cycling shorts, but cut-off jeans – the better to "receive the emanations from Sol."
There is one tandem in the race this year, with a blind stoker. They are finishing mid-pack.
La Ruta de los Conquistadores
Stage 2
1. Marvin Campos (CRC), Interfin Banex Pensiones, 4:01:22
2. Eddy Perras (CRC), Bike Station, 4:02:11
3. Paolo Cesar Montoya (CRC), Santa Ana-Banco Cuscatlan, 4:02:23
4. Deiber Esquivel (CRC), Interfin Banex Pensiones, 4:09:50
5. Thomas Frischknecht (SUI), Swisspower-Scout Team, 4:15:37
Overall
1. Marvin Campos (CRC), Interfin Banex Pensiones
2. Thomas Frischknecht (SUI,) Swisspower-Scout Team (7 minutes back)
3. Deiber Esquivel (CRC), Interfin Banex Pensiones
4. Paolo Cesar Montoya (CRC), Santa Ana-Banco Cuscatlan
