Wells defends lead on day 2 at La Ruta
Specialized Racing: XC MTB | November 4, 2011
Specialized's Todd Wells defended his overall lead during stage 2 of La Ruta de los Conquistadores in Costa Rica on Thursday thanks to a fourth place stage finish, while his teammate Rebecca Rusch logged a solid second place finish among the women and continues in second in the ladies' GC.
Day two of racing at La Ruta featured steep climbs with some grades over 25 percent. It tested the legs of tired riders following yesterday's 108km stage.
"Today's race, I felt like the climbing was much steeper than yesterday," said Wells. "I felt pretty good. Luis Mejia attacked, and he was far down in GC yesterday, so he wasn't a threat but he was gone right from the start." Mejia went early and soloed to a win.
Behind him, Wells, Federico Ramirez and Rom Akerson battled for second. Akerson, a Costa Rican rider, also competing for Specialized, threw down the gauntlet against his two rivals and rode away to second place.
"I spent two-thirds of the race with Ramirez and Akerson. We were together on the descent after the second big climb today, and then I punctured," said Wells. "I changed it and then I switched the wheel in the next tech zone. I lost a few minutes and could never get it back."
After his flat, Wells finished fourth after Ramirez in third. He noted the mental difficulty of the final third of the race.
"It's hard to push yourself when you're alone out there. You want to do well, but it's the second day of a long race, you're tired, the climbs are steep and you don't know what's coming up. Having guys around in the beginning helped me stay motivated, but riding the last third of the race was tough. It's stressful out there, and I have no idea where I'm going."
In addition, Wells' Garmin read a total race distance of 73km instead of the advertised 63km. "It's hard when you're looking for the finish 10km early."
Wells was leading the general classification after stage 1 by 10:34. With his flat and a strong performance by Akerson on stage 2, he still leads, but by a somewhat smaller margin of 7:11. Akerson has the local knowledge advantage, having raced La Ruta nine previous times.
Wells used the same setup as yesterday: a Specialized Stumpjumper 29-inch hardtail with Specialized Renegade 1.9 Ground Control (Control Casing inflated to 30psi front and rear). He used a 38/24 front chainset, with the low gear to help him up the brutally steep climbs that characterize the race. Out back, his bike was equipped with an 11/36 cassette. A 2012 Rock Shox SID fork with a Brain did the job of front suspension.
Wells carried more spare parts than in regular cross country races, including a rear derailleur hanger, CO2s, tubes, brake pads and chain oil.
Women
Rusch finished second on stage 2, 6:21 after Adriana Rojas. With two consecutive second places, Rusch is also in second in the general classification. Rojas, a Costa Rican, is also riding in Specialized colors although this is the first time the two racers have crossed paths.
"I didn't feel as good as yesterday for the first half and then I got my groove," said Rusch. "Third place finisher Louise (Kobin) and I rode together for about 30km. It was helpful. We kept each other honest. Then I started to warm up."
Rusch got away from Kobin on a flat section after aid station 3. She noted the advantage of her 2012 Specialized Fate 29er, with tires like Wells, but inflated to 27psi. "I think the 29er was good on this course - I powered the flats and downs and it helped me get away from Louise, but it was also good on the climbs."
Her computer also read much more distance than the planned 63km. "I had 78km on my odometer," said Rusch upon finishing in the kind of heavy downpour that characterizes Costa Rica's rainy season. The top men had all finished before the rains began.
Looking ahead to tomorrow's stage 3, Rusch said, "I like the volcano stage. You know what's in front of you. You can put your head down and go."
The riders will tackle a 79km stage over two volcanos, including 6000 feet of climbing.