Announcing The 2006 La Ruta de Los Conquistadores
The highly successful '05's La Ruta de Los Conquistadores has just passed; despite this the 14th edition has been announced without delay for November 3-4-5, 2006.

The new edition promises to be quite a revenge race because of the first foreign victory ever in the history of "the toughest MTB race in the world." It truly hurts the honor of the "Ticos," because of last year's results.

The winner and current Marathon Bike World Champion, Swiss Thomas Frischnechkt (Swisspower-Scott), has confirmed that he is looking forward to defend his title won three months ago.

Nevertheless, the "champ"  will confront not only the local boysâ™ courage but their knowledge of the route. Besides, this time Thomas will be obliged to face a few more world famous bikers as well. Their intention will be to dare "Superman" to defeat this demanding course of this unique race two consecutive years. Frischi will certainly have his competition.

The organizers are waiting for other famous international competitors' registration. They are Olympic, World Cup and World Champions.

"We've planning to have four of the most prestigious racers of this time here in November. They are the best of the best these days and we're sure that they will enjoy the challenge in our Country," said the La Ruta's Operations Director, Diego Viquez.

As it happened before, there will be only 450 fearless riders trying to complete this tough test. After all, those mountainbikers who participated in the past races have admitted that their lives have changed after competing in La Ruta.

"This could be the first time ever in this event's history that we'll have more foreigners than locals entering our race. We actually have filled half of the non locals' available spots and we only have a few months left before the race. If the registration continues at this robust pace, we will have to make a 'waiting list' soon," said the Operations Manager.

La Ruta de Los Conquistadores was designed 14 years ago by the recognized Costa Rican "adventurous athletic" competitor, Roman Urbina. His intention was to retrace the historic steps of Spanish conquistadors across Costa Rica in a killer three days expedition.

Our natural beauty and idealistic journey became a worldwide known, three stages race that covers over 220 miles and 30,000 vertical feet of climbs over this God blessed nation in Central America.

This year's competition will depart at the Best Western's Jacó Beach Hotel (Pacific Coast) on Nov. 3. The finish will be at the port of Moín near the Caribbean Sea two days later.