Riders gear up for La Ruta

The La Ruta de los Conquistadores 15th Anniversary event begins today at the warm beach town of Jacó, a surf and nightlife paradise in Costa Rica's Pacific coast. During a press conference held yesterday afternoon, the organizers officially introduced the race to local and international media, while both local and foreign professional riders answered questions from the press about what they think of this year's special event.

Sue George is an editor at Cyclingnews.  She coordinates all of the site's mountain bike race coverage and assists with the road, 'cross and track coverage.