Photos by Pinar Istek

Lico Ramirez, 37,  a professional cyclist said “ it was beautiful.  It was really hot but it was good,” after winning the first place at La Soledad mountain bike rice.  He finished 58 km route in 2:02:35.

The race brought 2000 professional and amateur cyclists to the area on its first day on Saturday April 27. As a two-day weekend event national level, the race brought jobs to the area residents in Playa Carrillo .

Looking back in the history of the race, it has come a long way.   When it was first organized, there were 150 participants only.

La Soledad mountain bike race was organized at Playa Carrillo for the 12th time, according to the director of the race, Luis Cubero. A San Jose resident, Cubero runs a business, Ciclo Guilly, where he sells cycling gear.

La Soledad is not the only event that they organize. La Vuelta Master and Vuelta AL Lago Arenal are amongst the other cycling events they organize at national level every year.

Cubero chose Playa Carrillo for this mountain bike race because of the land’s convenience. He said, “it is big. There is a lot of space and the beach is very attractive for the racers and their family and friends. “

Marconi Duran and Jonathan Carballo, of Alajuela, won the couples 1st place with 2:02: 44. The team was sponsored by Coopenae, Movistar and Economy Rent A Car. It was their 3rd year of wining the couples’ first place. The two who are professional cyclists said, “we are very happy to win the race”. As cycling being their job, they said, “ we train. We eat. We sleep. That’s all we do. “