Race Report: Costa Rica Pura Vida Series #2 Angelina Bike Park
Over 70 participants competed against each other yesterday for the second round of the PURA VIDA Enduro MTB Series Niner Lapierre produced by PuroMTB.com in La Angelina Bike Park, just 20 minutes from downtown San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica. It is the national championship for Enduro in this beautiful country, known worldwide for its natural beauty and fauna. The first participant started riding at 8.30 in the morning and with three special stages, ran for the exact time with no delays.
The rally style format of mountain bike racing is popular to the people of Costa Rica and every race we see more people getting hooked!
The national top Enduro riders were in attendance, featuring Alvaro Hidalgo and Carlos Castillo, two former national DH Champions, and Adriana Rojas, the national XC champion in the womens, among the pros, and a lot of amateurs were also racing but just against themselves, it was very nice event to be part of!
The Enduro event comprised a total of three stages in demanding high mountains terrain near the Irazú Volcano, with a top-class field, the winner in mens was Alvarado Hidalgo for the second time in a row with a time of 20 minutes and 35 seconds, he leads the national championship. In the women’s Adriana Rojas (off-season) decided to compete for the first time in this championship and made a very solid and beautiful win for her career, she finished with a impressive time of 22 minutes and 26 seconds on a hardtail!
Reviews of some international and national participants:
“It was an amazing morning, none-the-less. Thank you PuroMTB and La Angelina – Mountain Bike Park for putting on such a well-organized and well-supported event. Heats ran like clockwork, and the vibe was total Pura Vida. Looking forward to the next race!” – Will Muerke – Team CORECO – USA
“Probably the hardest mountain bike ride of my life… the whole community of enduro racers made me feel welcomed and on top of the world. I am very proud of having participated in such an event! Now I am hooked!” Carole Beapreu – Sacred Rides – from BC, Canada.
“To make this race, was possibly the best choice I’ve made in a while. The track and the organization were amazing, high level riders brought a great show.
It’s great to see how Enduro is growing in our country; and I’m positive it will do so even more as far as this kind of events keep on coming” – Ivan Araya, Costa Rica
“It was the day I had the most fun with the bike in my life!” – Roberto Castillo, Costa Rica.
“Congratulations for such a great event, the organization, the place and the people were just great! Enduro is growing in the country and will grow more with these types of events! I’m waiting for the next round!” – Eduardo Valdivia, Costa Rica
More information on PuroMTB.com
Words & Pictures: PuroMTB.com
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