Not for nothing La Ruta de los Conquistadores is considered the toughest MTB race in the world, competitors go from the Pacific to the Caribbean coast in just three days, through 12 microclimates, covering a total of 260 km (161.56 miles), out of which 8.8 km (5.5 miles) involve climbing.

This Thursday, the first stage kicked off at 5:15 a.m. from the Crocs Hotel in Jaco, and concluded at Hacienda el Rodeo in Ciudad Colon, San Jose; it was Spanish Josep Betalú, winner of last year’s edition who arrived first with a time of 04:57:16; Costa Rican Carlos Arias followed 12 minutes and 13 seconds later taking the second place and in the third place Federico “Lico” Ramírez crossed the finish line with a difference of 19 minutes and 28 seconds.

Former professional cyclist Lance Armstrong, who is the guest this year participating for the first time, had a very hard time completing the demanding challenge, the humidity of Carara took a toll on him and had to take a short break in the area of San Pedro de Turrubares. Armstrong finished in position 86 of the general table, 76 in the male division, and closed with a time of 08:31:34, a difference of 3 hours, 34 minutes and 17 seconds from the stage winner.

In the female division, the winner was Larissa Fitchett who managed a time of 07:04:39, and Eunice Rojas came in second place with a 29-minute difference.

400 Competitors will continue with the second stage this Friday, November 2; the race starts from the Terramall shopping center in Tres Ríos and concludes at Catie in Turrialba for a total 80 kilometers (50 miles).